a. Coercive Force.

The negative or reverse applied magnetizing force (H) necessary to reduce

the residual magnetizing force (B) to zero in a ferromagnetic material, after
magnetic saturation has been achieved. The line (O/G) represents the
magnitude and direction of this force.
( B) ( H) l
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b. Direct Contact Magnetization.

Use of current passed through the part via contact heads or prods to produce
a magnetic field.
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c. Ferromagnetic.
A term that describes a material which exhibits both magnetic hysteresis and
saturation, also whose magnetic permeability is dependent on the
magnetizing force present. In magnetic particle testing, we are concerned only
with ferromagnetic materials.

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d. Circular Magnetic Field.

A circular magnetic field is a magnetic field surrounding the flow of the
electric current. For magnetic particle testing, this refers to current flow in a
central conductor or the part itself.

.) (

e. Longitudinal Magnetic Field

. A longitudinal magnetic field is a magnetic field wherein the flux lines
transverse the component in a direction essentially parallel with its
longitudinal axis.
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f. Magnetic Field.
The term used to describe the volume within and surrounding either a
magnetized part or a current carrying conductor wherein a magnetic force is
exerted.

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g. Magnetic Leakage Field.

The magnetic field outside of a part resulting from the presence of a
discontinuity, a change in magnetic permeability, or a change in the parts
cross-section.

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h. Magnetic Flux Density (B).

The strength of a magnetic field is expressed in flux lines per unit crosssectional area.
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i. Flux Lines or Lines of Force.

A conceptual representation of magnetic flux illustrated by the line pattern
produced when iron filings are sprinkled on paper laid over a permanent
magnet.

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j.

Magnetic Hysteresis.
The phenomenon exhibited by a magnetic system wherein its state is
influenced by its previous history.

k. Induced Current Magnetization.

Use of current induced in a part to produce a magnetic field.

l. Magnetizing Current (I).

The electric current passed through or adjacent to an object that produces a
designated magnetic field.
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m. Magnetizing Force (H).

The magnetizing field applied to a ferromagnetic material to induce
magnetization.
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n. Magnetic Permeability (u).

Magnetic permeability is the ease with which a ferromagnetic part can be
magnetized. It is equal to the ratio of the flux density (B) produced to the
magnetizing force (H) inducing the magnetic field. It changes in value with
changes in the strength of the magnetizing force. A metal easy to magnetize,
such as soft iron or low carbon steel, has a high permeability or is said to be
highly permeable.
(B) .
( H)
. .

o. Residual Magnetism.
This is the magnetic field that remains in the part when the external
magnetizing force has been reduced to zero.
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p. Retentivity .
The property of a metal that remains magnetized after the magnetizing force
has been removed. A metal, such as hard steel has a high percentage of
carbon, and will retain a strong magnetic field after removal of the
magnetizing current. Hard steel has high retentivity, or is said to be highly
retentive.
.
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q. Magnetic Saturation.
This is the level of magnetism in a ferromagnetic material where the magnetic
permeability is equal to one. This is characterized as that level where an
increasing in magnetizing force (H) results in no greater increase in magnetic
field (B) than would occur in a vacuum or air.
.
. ) B( ) H(