Eddy Current Testing

Eddy-Current Testing is an electrical NDT method which can be used to detect and quantify surface breaking or near surface defects in materials, components and structures. It is a non-contact method, and can successfully test through good quality paint coatings etc. Principle of Operation The eddy current test method is based on the principles of magnetic induction. A coil energised by an AC current is placed in close proximity to the test specimen (which must be an electrically conducting material). The current in the coil generates an alternating magnetic field which induces circular (eddy) currents to flow in the specimen. These eddy currents generate their own magnetic field, which interacts with the original field causing changes to the impedance of the coil. Either the voltage flowing through the coil or the impedance can be monitored and used as the basis for a result. A CRT or modern LCD screen can be used to display faults if the impedance is monitored. As an example, assume that there is a deep crack in the surface immediately underneath the coil. This will interrupt or reduce the eddy current flow, thus decreasing the loading on the coil and increasing its effective impedance. By monitoring the impedance or voltage across the coil in such an arrangement we can detect changes in the material of interest. Advantages High sensitivity to microscopic flaws Can be used to inspect both ferromagnetic and non-magnetic materials High inspection speeds Easy to automate

Able to inspect through painted coatings Quick to use No contact required No material consumed Economical Environmentally friendly

The principle disadvantages of the method is its limited depth of inspection into the material or part being inspected (max. dept 6mm-10mm). Applications The technology offers important advantages for the detection of flaws in metals and has a very broad range of applications. It is truly non-destructive, reliably detecting flaws invisible to the unaided eye. It can penetrate layers of sound material to discover hidden damage which would threaten the serviceability of the material or structure.

Eddy-Current Testing is used on both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Applications include: Detection of very shallow surface defects (fatigue cracks, intergranular stress corrosion cracks etc.) General surface inspection Metal and coating thickness measurement Metal sorting by grade, heat treatment and hardness Inspection of welded steel structures for fatigue-induced cracking It is widely used in the power generation, petro-chemical, aircraft and rail industries. The eddy current procedure exhibits some remarkable characteristics (high speed test up to 100km/h, easily automated, very sensitive), making it particularly suited for use as a test method for detecting surface defects in rail tracks. Of special importance is the detection of cracks in mobile switching gear, e.g. tongues and toes of points, which can lead to failure of the unit. Briefly in eddy current testing, the following sequential things happen: * Probe coil generates primary magnetic field (Ampere's law) * Primary magnetic field induces eddy currents in the material (Faraday's law) * Eddy currents generate secondary magnetic field in the opposite direction (Lenz's law) * Secondary magnetic field interacts with primary field coil impedance affected * Coil voltage is monitored * Defects interrupt eddy current flow secondary mag. field affected coil impedance increases coil voltage changes detected by voltmeter across coil or impedance changes monitored