Magnetic

Particle Testing
Part 2
 MT Techniques
Continuous or Residual
Fluorescent or Visible
Wet or Dry
 Continuous or Residual
Continuous Method
Detecting media applied whilst current is

flowing

Residual
Detecting media applied after the current
has ceased
Requires high retentivity

Less sensitive than continuous

 Fluorescent or Visible
Fluorescent Visible
Detecting No special
media: dye lighting required
coated Higher
More sensitive concentration of
Less tiring for particles
operators Cheaper

Better for
batch
inspections
 Fluorescent
Fluorescent : UV light emits 365 nm
Fluorescent dye absorbs 365 nm
Emit 570 nm & become visible color
Convert one WL to another.
365nm 570nm
UV Light Visible Light

Fluorescent Dye
 Fluorescence and the
Electromagnetic
365nm Spectrum
570nm
Convert
Absorbs Emits Dual
Fluorescent Dye

10 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 nm

ULTRAVIOLET VISIBLE
 Fluorescence
UV-A Source
Mercury vapour
arc lamp
+
Filter
Precautions
Avoid looking directly at the lamp
Do not use if filter is cracked, damaged or
incorrectly fitted
 Electromagnetic
Spectrum
100 -280nm 280 315nm
A Damaged
UV-C UV-B UV-A Black Light Emits
White Light

315 - 400nm
10 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
ULTRAVIOLET VISIBLE
 Fluorescent v Colour
Contrast
Fluorescent more
sensitive
Less operator
fatigue with
fluorescent
Fluorescent more
expensive
Fluorescent
requires UV
lighting
 Dry or Wet Detecting
Media
DRY WET
Iron particles Iron oxide
<200 microns <100 microns
(BS4069) Colour contrast
Colours vary for
of fluorescent
contrast against Water or
component
kerosene based
Hot components,
Concentration
root cut backs and
sub-surface important
Magnetic Inks
MT with Dry powder
Dry Powders
 Dry Powders

Different Shapes
Elongated for easy polarisation
Spherical for easy dispersal
MT with Dry powder

Puffers /
Insufflators
 Detecting Media

Shape Spherical & Elongated

Magnetic propertiesHigh permeability
Low Retentivity
Mobility High
Visibility High
Durability High for fluorescent
 Current Types
Direct current
Alternating current
Half wave rectified
current
Full wave rectified
 Direct Current
+

Advantages Disadvantages
Sub-surface defects No agitation of

detectable particles
Availability from Less sensitive to
batteries surface defects
Direct Current: Field
distribution

Penetration of flux
deeper into the
material

Ferromagne
 Alternating Current

-
Advantages Disadvantages
Availability
Will not detect
Sensitivity to surface defects

Agitation of particles
sub-surface
Demagnetisation
defects
A.C. : Field distribution

Concentration of flux on the

surface of material
Penetration 1 to 2 mm only
Ferromagn
A.C. : Field distribution

A.C. ELECTROMAGNETIC
YOKE
A.C. : Field distribution
Alternating Current
in a coil will induce
eddy current in the
material
A.C. : Field distribution
Eddy Current
causes SKIN
A.C. ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECT
YOKE Skin effect
reduces
penetration of
Only
flux occurs
with
alternating
current
D.C. Electromagnet

A.C. ELECTROMAGNETIC
YOKE Penetration is
deeper
No eddy current : No
skin effect
A.C. : Field distribution
Laminated
 Half Wave Rectified
Current
+

-
Advantages Disadvantages
Penetration like DC Sensitivity to

Agitation surface defects

Ease of production lower than AC
High flux density for
less power
 Full Wave Rectified
Current

-
Advantages Disadvantages
Penetration like DC Sensitivity to

Agitation surface defects

lower than AC
 Single Phase Full Wave
Rectified

-
 3 Phase Full Wave
Rectified