Eddy current testing is an electromagnetic testing

technique usually used to inspect non-ferromagnetic

materials.
How it Works
In its most basic form the single-element eddy current testing probe a copper wire is excited with an alternating electrical current. This wire
produces a magnetic field around itself in the direction ascertained by the right-hand rule. This magnetic field oscillates at the same frequency as the
current running through the coil. When the coil approaches a conductive material, currents opposed to the ones in the coil are induced in the material
eddy currents.

A defect in the conductive material disturbs the path of eddy currents, creating a local magnetic field that changes the balance of the system. This can
be detected by measuring the changes in impedance in the coil, which is a telltale sign of the presence of defects.

Benefits
Several benefits are derived from eddy current testing:

It is suited to volumetric flaws such as corrosion, wear, and large porosities, as well as cracking.
It can detect surface-breaking, near-surface, and far-surface defects.
ECT probes dont need to be in contact with the part under inspection.
ECT can be used in applications other than flaw detection.
Parts under test require only minimal preparation.

Tubing Applications

Detection Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

ID pitting cceptable, cceptable,

xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent
but limited but limited

OD pitting cceptable, cceptable, cceptable,

xcellent xcellent xcellent ot suitable ot suitable
but limited but limited but limited

Axial cracking
cceptable, xcellent ot cceptable, cceptable, cceptable, ot suitable cceptable,
Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

but limited suitable but limited but limited but limited but limited

Circumferential
cracking cceptable, ot cceptable, cceptable, cceptable,
xcellent ot suitable ot suitable
but limited suitable but limited but limited but limited

ID corrosion
xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent

OD corrosion cceptable, cceptable,

xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent ot suitable ot suitable
but limited but limited

At tubesheet cceptable, cceptable, cceptable, cceptable,

xcellent xcellent ot suitable ot suitable
but limited but limited but limited but limited

Excellent
Acceptable, but limited
Not suitable

Sizing Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

ID pitting
ood xcellent xcellent ood ot suitable xcellent ot suitable ot suitable

OD pitting ot ot ot
xcellent xcellent xcellent ood ot suitable
suitable suitable suitable
Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Axial cracking
ood xcellent ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable ood ot suitable ot suitable

Circumferential
cracking
ot suitable xcellent ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable ood ot suitable ot suitable

ID corrosion
ood xcellent xcellent xcellent ot suitable xcellent ot suitable ot suitable

OD corrosion
xcellent xcellent xcellent xcellent ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable

At tubesheet
ood ood xcellent ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable ot suitable

Excellent
Good
Not suitable

Suitability According to Tubing Material

Material/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Tube
es es es o o o o o
Non-
ferromagnetic
Integral-
finned tube
es es es o o o o o

Low
Tube
ferromagnetic
o o es es es es es es
Material/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Integral-
finned tube
o o es es es es es es

Tube
o o es es es es es es

Integral-
Ferromagnetic
finned tube
o o imited es es es es es

Aluminum-
finned tube
o o es o es es es es

Surface Applications
When it comes to surface applications, the performance of any given inspection technique depends greatly on the specific conditions mostly the
types of materials and defects, but also surface conditions, cleanliness, etc. However, in most situations, the following are true:

Liquid Magnetic
penetrant particles ECT ECA
(PT) (MT)

Effective on
No Yes Yes Yes
coatings/paints

Computerized record
No No Partial Yes
keeping

3D/Advanced imaging No No No Yes

User dependence High High High Low

Speed Very low Very low Low Very high

Application- Application-
Cleaning Yes Yes
specific specific
 Liquid Magnetic
penetrant particles ECT ECA
(PT) (MT)

Post-inspection analysis No No No Yes

Chemicals/Consumables Yes Yes No No