ECT ON SURFACE
Surface Eddy Current is applied for detection of cracks on the surface of
conductive materials. The method is very sensitive for detection of tight
cracks. Both non-ferromagnetic (eg stainless steel, inconel, Al Bronze etc.)
and magnetic materials (eg carbon steel) can be inspected.
SURFACE ECT VS LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING
Both surface ECT and PT are surface inspection techniques used for
detection surface breaking cracking. ECT has basic advantages over Liquid
Penetrant Testing in certain applications:
ECT is significantly more sensitive than PT for detection of tight
cracks, eg. SCC in stainless steels
ECT can inspect through paint coatings
For inspection of small areas, ECT is much faster. PT is slow because
of the long dwell times.
ECT THEORY
Eddy Current method is based on the principle of measuring changes in the
impedance of a electromagnetic coil as it is scanned over a surface of
conductive material.
The test is performed by a electromagnetic coil that is placed over a
conductive material. The coil produces a magnetic field that is induced in the
material. To counter the coil's primary magnetic field, eddy currents are
produced in the material. Eddy currents produce a secondary magnetic field
(H' B) to oppose the coil's primary magnetic field (HB). When the coil is
scanned over a defect, the secondary magnetic field is distorted thereby
changing the loading on coil. Changes in coil loading directly affect the coil
impedance. These changes in coil impedance are related to the defect.
Fig 1. Eddy Current Principle. (a) ect coil in air. The coil produces a magnetic field - HA.
The coil impedance is Zair (b) ect coil over a conductive material. Eddy currents are
produced in the material that oppose the magnetic field of the coil. The coils magnetic
field changes from HA to HB .The impedance of the coil changes from Zair to ZB along the
Lift-Off Line. (c) ect coil over the crack. Eddy currents are distorted by the crack, this
changes the magnetic field of the eddy currents from H'B to H'C thereby changing the
loading on the coil. The coil impedance changes to Zcrack.
ECT DEPTH OF PENETRATION
Flaw detection with eddy currents is limited to the penetration depth.
Penetration depth is inversely proportional to the square root of conductivity,
frequency and permeability. Penetration in non-ferromagnetic material can
be increased by lowering the frequency. For most applications, the
penetration depth in non-ferromagnetic material is limited to approximately
5 mm (0.20 inches). In case of ferromagnetic materials, such as carbon steel,
the penetration depth is extremely shallow because of high permeability.
Inspection of ferromagnetic material is therefore limited to surface flaws
only.
PROBES
Surface ECT is performed using probes that include pencil probes, spot
probes, cross-axis probes etc.
INSTRUMENT
Surface ECT is normally performed with portable ECT machines, eg. Phasec
2200, Nortec 1000, Nortec 2000, etc.
Tubing ECT is done using advanced computer-controlled equipment eg.
TC5700, MIZ-27, MAD4D etc.
APPLICATIONS
Applications of surface ECT include
detection of SCC in stainless steel pipes
detection of cracks in SS vessels and tanks
detection of cracks in turbine blades
detection of cracks in aircraft structures eg. Cessna Caravan Service
Bulletin 2003 CAB03-6, CAB02-2
inspection of aerospace structures
detection of cracks in bolt holes
