P3C AL 0003 - RevB
P3C AL 0003 - RevB
GE Energy P3C-AL-0003
Materials and Processes Engineering
Page 1 of 13
PREPARED BY:
J.R. Viertl
ORIG. ISSUE DATE:
December 22, 1966
DT-2.3C
P3C-AL-0003 GE Energy Page 2 of 13
REV. B Materials and Processes Engineering
1.1 This process specification outlines the procedures to be followed and the
acceptance standards to be applied by qualified personnel of the Steam
Turbine-Generator Manufacturing Department, or approved inspection sources,
when performing Magnetic Particle inspections.
1.2 This specification shall apply to raw material, in-process material, finished materials,
and welds, regardless of heat treatment state.
1.3 It is not the intent of this instruction to detail acceptance standards for individual
Steam Turbine - Generator components except shells.
1.4 Communication
1.4.1 External Supplier (See Definition)
1.4.1.1 General Electric Company - Energy Sourcing is the authorized interface
for all communication between GE and the External Supplier. All
questions or requests for additional information shall be submitted to GE
Energy for clarification. Conflicts between applicable Specifications
and/or drawings shall be submitted to GE Energy for resolution by
Engineering.
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
2.1 The following documents shall form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the latest issue shall apply.
2.1.1 General Electric Company
4. ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS
4.1 The test surface shall be clean and free from oil, grease, sand, loose rust, scale, lint,
'thick' paint, weld flux and spatter, and contamination which will interfere with the
mobility of the magnetic particles and mask relevant indications or create false
indications.
4.1.1 Thin nonconductive coatings, such as paint or plating, less than 4 mils thick will
not normally interfere with the formation of indications.
4.1.2 All coatings must be removed in the areas where electrical contact will be
made.
4.2 If needed, a surface may be cleaned by pressure blasting, provided this will not
interfere with subsequent tests.
4.3 If false indications are noted due to surface conditions such as weld deposits or
burned in sand, the surface shall be cleaned of these conditions and the part re-
tested.
4.4 Chemical cleaners used for surface preparation shall not contain chlorine, sulfur, or
caustics.
4.5 A surface finish not exceeding 250 micro inches AA (0.0064 mm) is required.
4.6 Qualification Package - The Supplier shall submit two (2) copies of the FPQ
documentation for review/approval.
4.7 Upon receipt of written notification for FPQ, the Supplier is approved for production
of the qualified part. The MPP shall be "FROZEN", not to be changed without
approval of a new MPP.
5. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION
6.1.3 The use of DC or FWDC current is not permitted when using the dry method
unless specified in a specific process instruction or with approval from
Materials and Processes Engineering - Low Temperature Materials
Development Engineering (LTMDE).
6.2 Magnetic particle testing equipment shall be checked for accuracy at the time of
purchase, at an interval not to exceed twelve months, and whenever electrical
maintenance is performed which may affect the equipment accuracy. The
equipment meter reading shall not deviate by more than ±10% relative to the actual
current values as shown by the calibration meter.
6.2.1 An external ammeter may be used in place of the magnetic particle testing
unit's internal ammeter. The external ammeter shall be checked for accuracy at
the time of purchase, at an interval not to exceed twelve months, and
whenever electrical maintenance is performed which may affect the equipment
accuracy. The external ammeter reading shall not deviate by more than ±10%
relative to the actual current values as shown by the calibration meter.
6.3 The ammeter shall be positioned such that it can be monitored continuously during
the application of the magnetizing current.
6.4 The magnetic particle equipment shall have suitable switches for convenient control
of the magnetizing current.
6.5 Magnetization may be accomplished using flexible cables. Cables shall be inspected
before each use to ensure that they are in good condition. Special attention shall be
paid to the condition of the cable's shield. Look for areas where the shield may have
melted or been cut at any point where the cable will be in contact with the part being
tested.
6.6 Magnetic yokes shall be checked for accuracy at the time of purchase, and at an
interval not to exceed twelve months. Magnetic yokes are checked by testing their
lifting power using calibrated steel plates. AC yokes shall lift at least 10 lbs, and DC
yokes shall lift at least 40 lbs. The maximum pole spacing shall be used for this test.
6.7.1 For visible magnetic particles, the color of the particles shall be selected to
yield the highest contrast with the part. The lighting shall meet the requirements
of 6.8.2.
6.7.2 For fluorescent magnetic particles, an ultraviolet light is required. This light
shall meet the requirements of 6.8.1.
6.7.3 When using a dry magnetic particle method, the particles are applied using a
dry powder applicator. The particles may be mobilized once applied to the part
using an air bulb or equivalent source which will provide a low velocity, low
pressure air flow. All application and mobilizing of particles must be done while
the current is being applied using the true continuous method.
6.7.4 When using a wet magnetic particle method, the particles must be suspended
in a medium (typically water or a petroleum distillate).
6.8 Lighting
6.8.1 A near ultraviolet (black) light, with a wavelength of 3200-4000 angstrom units,
shall be employed for fluorescent magnetic particle inspections. The black light
shall be maintained and calibrated annually to yield a minimum 1000 uw/cm2 of
near ultraviolet light at a distance of 15". A check of the blacklight intensity shall
be made at least weekly.
6.8.1.1 The background light intensity shall be no more than 20 lux (2 foot-
candles) at the part surface.
6.8.2 For visible magnetic particles, the visible light intensity shall be at least 1000
(100 foot-candles) lux at the part surface.
7. TEST AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
7.1 All magnetic particle inspections shall be of the wet true continuous method with the
exception of weld inspection, which may be done using the dry true continuous
method. The residual method shall not be used when testing to this specification.
7.1.1 When using the wet method, the current shall not be turned off before the
magnetic particle solution stops flowing.
7.2 Each component shall be 100% inspected unless otherwise designated by a specific
process instruction. All areas of each component shall be inspected in two (2)
perpendicular directions unless otherwise designated by a specific process
instruction.
7.3 The magnetic field shall be verified each time current is applied. The magnetic field
shall be verified using the General Electric taper block (drawing# 173B5102) or a
Pie Gage. An equivalent quality indicator may be used if approved by Materials and
Processes Engineering - Low Temperature Materials Development Engineering
(LTMDE).
7.4.1 This technique passes current directly through the part using head and tail
stocks, prods, or clamping devices. Extreme care shall be taken to ensure
good contact with the test part to prevent localized heating and arcing.
7.4.2 For test specimens with multiple diameters, the smallest diameter shall be
tested first. Then the next smallest shall be tested until all of the surfaces have
been inspected.
7.4.3 A minimum magnetizing current of 100 amperes to 125 amperes per inch of
diameter or maximum cross section shall be used.
7.4.4 When using prods, the prod spacing shall be 3" to 8". The magnetizing current
shall be 100 amperes to 125 amperes per inch of prod spacing.
7.4.4.1 Prods shall never be used in contact with a finish machined surface.
7.4.4.2 Extreme care should be taken to ensure good prod contact and that the
prod points of contact are clean and in good condition.
7.4.4.3 The effective perpendicular test area using prods is % the pole spacing
from a line which connects the two prods.
7.4.4.4 Overlapping of pole spacing shall be at least 1 inch.
7.5 Indirect Circular Magnetization
7.5.1 This technique passes current through an electrical conductor which is placed
through the part being tested. If the part is not suspended on the central
conductor, an insulator shall be placed around the central conductor. Extreme
care shall be taken to ensure that the insulator is in good condition before each
use to reduce the risk of arcing between the central conductor and the part.
7.5.2 An attempt shall be made to position the central conductor in the center of the
part opening.
7.5.3 For test specimens with multiple test diameters, the smallest diameter shall be
tested first. Then the next smallest shall be tested until all of the surfaces have
been inspected. For parts where the outer diameter is to be tested, the inner
and outer diameter shall be tested separately at each of their respective
current settings.
7.5.4 A magnetizing current of 100 amperes to 125 amperes per inch of diameter
shall be used.
7.6.1 This technique passes current through a coil (usually multi-turn). This coil can
be rigid, a yoke, a solenoid, or can be created by wrapping a cable around the
part. Extreme care shall be taken to ensure that any cables used are in good
condition before each use to reduce the risk of arcing.
When (L/D) ratios are greater than 15 use the number 15 in the
denominator.
7.6.4.2 For parts with L/D ratios between 2 and 5 use the following formula:
7.6.4.3 For longitudinal magnetization using induction coils, the minimum starting
amperage shall be calculated according to the L/D ratio according to the
following formulas:
Ampere Turns = 15,000
L/D
7.6.4.4 For induction coils, use 10 turns for objects 10 inches (25 cm) or less in
length and for objects over 10 inches (25 cm) in length use 5 coil turns
7.6.4.5 The effective field is 12" on either side of the coil as verified by the quality
indicator.
7.6.4.6 Parts longer than 16" - 24", as determined by the quality indicator, will
require multiple coil inspections.
7.6.4.7 The wet continuous method must be used for inspections using a coil.
7.6.5 Yoke
7.6.5.1 The effective perpendicular test area using a probe is Vithe pole spacing
from a line which connects the two poles.
7.6.7 Solenoid
7.6.7.1 The magnetizing current shall be adjusted such that the quality indicator
verifies a sufficient field strength.
8. DEMAGNETIZATION
* 8.2 A residual magnetic field of ±3 gauss is considered acceptable for all parts except
steam turbine shells unless otherwise stated in the component's specific process
instruction. Except on inner surface diameters, for steam turbine shells a residual
magnetic field of ±8 gauss is considered acceptable unless otherwise stated in the
component's specific process instruction. On inner surface diameters, a residual
magnetic field of ±3 gauss is considered acceptable unless otherwise stated in the
component's specific process instruction.
8.3.1.1 Using a high intensity AC yoke, place the part in the center and slowly
withdraw.
8.3.1.2 Apply a full wave DC field at a higher intensity than the part was tested at.
Reduce current slightly and reverse cables. Apply field. Reduce current
slight and reverse cables again. Apply field. Keep repeating until the field
meets the criteria in Para. 8.2.
9. ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
9.1 The acceptance standards listed in a component's process instruction shall apply.
"Changed
© COPYRIGHT 2006 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
9.2.3 Indications >1/32" are not allowed for Generator components. All indications
greater than or equal to 1/32" shall be reported to the purchaser by QCR/SDR.
/ct-01-20-06