Reliance

Procedure for
Magnetic Particle Testing

EPCMD-2-QM00-JEP-ME-024

00

17.12.2011

Rev

Date

Issued for
Implementation
Revision

PPP/ PKD

PKS / EMK / KSS

SNS

Prepared
By

Checked By

Approved
By

Reliance
Contents
1. Purpose .. ..3
2. Scope 3
3. References .....3
4. Abbreviations and Terms ...3
5. Responsibilities ...3
6. Surface Preparation .......3
7. Methodology ....4

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Reliance
1.

Purpose
This purpose of this document is to provide guidelines on practices which
are involved during execution of Magnetic Particle Testing.

2.

Scope
This procedure covers the requirements for Magnetic Particle Testing using
Yoke type magnetization. The scope is limited to magnetic particle testing of
ferromagnetic materials.

3.

References
ASME Sec V

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,

Non Destructive Examination

ASME Sec VIIIDiv.1

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Rules for

construction of Pressure Vessels

ASME B 31.3

Process Piping

ASME B 31.1

Power piping

AWS D 1.1

Structural Steel Code

EPCMD-2-QM00-WIN-ME-008 Technical requirements for MT for NDT

contractor.
EPCMD-2-QM00-JEP-ME-041 Procedure for selection test of PT/MT
Technician.

4.

5.

Abbreviations and Terms

ASNT

American Society of Nondestructive Testing

HOD

Head of the Department

ISNT

Indian Society for Nondestructive testing

MT

Magnetic Particle Testing

NDT

Non Destructive Testing

QMD

Quality Management Department

Responsibilities
Construction

Managers/Engineer

in

Charges

is

responsible

for

implementing this procedure in their area.

HOD, QMD is responsible for maintaining this procedure.
DCC is the custodian of document.

6.

Surface Preparation
The weldment and an adjacent parent material area of at least 25 mm at
each side shall be dry and free from coating, dirt, lint, oil, grease, oxide
layers, weld flux, scale or spatter before applying the suspension. In case
where surface irregularities could mask the indications, the surface shall
be prepared by grinding.

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Reliance
7.
7.1

Methodology
Personnel Qualifications
All technicians who are carrying out magnetic particle testing shall be
certified in ASNT / ISNT Level II and shall have to undergo selection test as
per EPCMD-2-QM00-JEP-ME-041.

7.2

Applicability
Magnetic particle inspection shall be performed on magnetic material only. It
is obvious that smaller component in the field, magnetic particle
examination is difficult. Such cases can be examined by magnetic particle
examination after ensuring the field adequacy by field indicator for the
positioning of yoke.

7.3

Methods and Types of Magnetization and Current

7.3.1

Localized area magnetization shall be by yoke magnetization. D.C. prods are

not permitted.

7.3.2

Magnetic field generated, as a result of yoke magnetization shall be

longitudinal and circular.

7.3.3

Current required for magnetization shall be half wave rectified AC or full

wave rectified AC in case of yoke magnetization.

7.4

Requirements of Magnetic Particles and Its Application

7.4.1

Magnetic particles used for examination shall be either wet or dry type.
These are finely divided ferromagnetic particle, which are fluorescent or
non-fluorescent. These particles shall be free flowing in dry as well as in
suspended conditions. These particles shall have the following
characteristics such as high permeability, low retentivity, non-toxic and low
hazard potential with regard to flammability.

7.4.2

Dry particle is applied either by spraying or by dusting. These particles can

be reused provided size and shape and other characteristics are not affected
due to contamination because of multiple usage. Dry particles are used
maximum up to temperature of 315o C. When dry particle is of fluorescent
or organic coated to give better contrast against background, shall require
approval regarding their usage.
Wet particle examination requires a medium such as conditioned water or
light petroleum distillate to suspend fluorescent or non-fluorescent particles.
Use of Magnetic ink in readymade Aerosol Can shall only be permitted for
this purpose. Colors permitted in case of fluorescent are greenish yellow
when viewed under black light and for non-fluorescent it is black or reddish
brown. The wet particles are used maximum up to temperature of 55o C.
The approved vendors for Magnetic Particle Testing for dry and wet particles
are M/s P-Met Baroda and M/s Ferro Chem Pune.

7.4.3

A minimum light intensity of 100fc (1000lx) is required on the surface to be

examined to ensure adequate sensitivity during examination and evaluation
of indication.

7.4.4

For carrying out wet fluorescent method examination is performed using

ultraviolet lamp called black light. The examination shall be performed in

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Reliance
darkened area. Examiners shall be in a darkened area for at least 5 min
prior to performing examination to enable their eyes to dark viewing.
Glasses or lenses worn by examiners shall not be photochromic or exhibit
any fluorescence. Black light shall achieve a minimum of intensity of 1000
micro Watts/sq. cm on the job surface. Of the part being examined
throughout the examination. Reflectors, filters, glasses and lenses should be
checked and if, necessary, cleaned prior to use. Cracked or broken reflector
filters glasses, or lenses shall be replaced immediately. The black light
intensity shall be measured with a black light meter prior to use, whenever
the lights power source is interrupted or changed, and at the completion of
examination or series of examination.
7.4.5

Aerosol Magnetic material shall be checked in case of unsatisfactory

performance on the job. In case of unsatisfactory performance the brand
and type of Aerosol magnetic ink shall be disapproved.

7.5

Equipment

7.5.1

Yokes are meant for generation of longitudinal magnetic field, and these are
electromagnets. Yokes are characterized for their magnetic field strength
based on their lifting capacity. Yoke shall have lifting capacity of 4.5kg
minimum for AC and 18.1 kg minimum for DC at their maximum pole
spacing of 6 inch which shall be checked as and when required or on daily
basis.

7.5.2

Each magnetizing equipment shall be calibrated once a year

7.6

Magnetic Field Strength and Adequacy

7.6.1

To ensure the adequacy of the field and direction of the field for
examination, magnetic field indicator shall be used. Magnetic field indicator
is an octagon shaped assembly of eight low carbon steel pie sections
furnace brazed together and copper plated. It is held in the area where field
adequacy needs to be checked and magnetic particle is sprinkled. If all lines
are formed, field is adequate otherwise parameters have to change to
increase the field strength. Field adequacy to be checked for each and every
joint. The traceability of field indicator shall be through serial number and
test certificate from manufacturer.

7.7

Examination

7.7.1

Magnetization shall be done at least in two directions perpendicular to each

other to insure the coverage of flaws at different orientations.

7.7.2

Apply magnetic medium during the magnetization and look for formation of
an indication at flux leakage areas.

7.7.3

Once indication has developed then start removing the excess medium for
better interpretation.

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7.7.4

Check the indications are relevant or non-relevant.

7.7.5

Report all relevant indications in test report. Image of indicators shall be

collected by using transparent tape and attached to the test report.

7.8

Post Cleaning and Demagnetization

7.8.1

Remove all magnetic medium from the surface after the examination by
either of the following methods.
Drying of wet particle and then compressed air cleaning
Flushing with solvent

7.8.2

Demagnetize the residual magnetic field only when required by the

specification.

7.9

Acceptance Criteria and Reporting

7.9.1

Acceptance criteria shall be as per

respective code/specification

requirement.
7.9.2

Examination report shall have the following minimum information.

Material specification and area of examination
Method of magnetic particle examination , equipment and type of
magnetic material used for examination
Surface condition
Magnetizing processes, magnetizing current and magnetic field strength
Method of application of magnetic medium
Code of fabrication and interpretation
Demagnetizing
Post cleaning
Reports shall be serial numbered and traceable
Date and signed by qualified personnel

7.9

Record
Record of magnetic particle examination shall be maintained in the Magnetic
Particle Inspection Report. Format no.: EPCMD-2-QM00-FMT-ME-023.
Retention / handing over of records shall be as per contract.

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