{Eopy Current Test | 6.1 Princtpte oF Eby CuRRENT ‘Whan magnetic fux though a conductor changes, induced currents are st up in closed patis onthe surface af the conductor. These curents ae in a direction perpendicular the magnetic fa and are called eda curens, Figure 61 illurrstes the eddy current. ‘The basic aengement for producing eddy curents in a conducting material is shown in Fig. 62. ‘When an altemating currents passed through a coil, magnetic field is et up around it. The direction ofthe magnetic field changes with each cycle of alternating cutent. If «conductor is brough near this ~N Qe Swi ( | ce A ee - ft FI 6 Tb cate incular eddy current Electrically Wa currents vomeree tae [Rags / EE TEE a S22 L ca cau Laat Fig. 61. Baldy Current Fig. 62. Goneratin of Edy Current Bay Crow Tet 138 field, eddy cues are induced in it The diecton of the eddy curent changes witha change in the direction ofthe magnetic field during the eyeles of atermating curren. The induced eddy eureent produces its own magnetic field in a direction opposite to the inducing ‘primary magnetic field. The secondary magnetic eld due tothe eddy current interacts withthe primary ‘magnetic Feld and changes the overall magnet field and the magnitude of the current flowing through the eo. This means thatthe inapedance of the coils alered due fo the influence ofthe eddy cutent ‘During non-destructive testing, changes in impedance are displayed citer on a meter or on a CRT 6.1.1. Factors Affecting Eddy Currents ‘The magnitade ad distribution of eddy cutents ina given conductor is influenced by the conductivity, the magnitude ofthe primary magnetic fed, the permeability ofthe conductor, eometical variations, magnetic coupling, in-homogeneity, discontinuity, the test frequency and skin effect Tn.non magnets materials, the dsbusn of eddy | 4 ieee fl | Tome | ey In materials of high conductivity, strong ey currents ‘are generated on the surface af the conductor. This results ina stong secondary magnetic field, opposing the primary magnet field. Thisrestricts the penetration of the primary magnetic field into the depth ofthe 1 ‘mateial. This means thatthe depth penetration of eddy ‘currents in good sonductng materials is limited. But L in poor.conductig materials, the depth penetration bay A ‘of edy curens is comparatively larger as shown in conttity Fig 62 Hot Low The primary magnetic field determines he strength Laren ofthe indeed ey current a8 well asthe depth of peetaton fey cue: into the materi, The F163. Depth of diy Curent Pneration tsfectofmagnscemeabiliyon heey teat sso tat of eonductvy Geometrical vatiations like shape, thickness an te presence of conducting material in clove proximity affects the distribution of eddy currents and the associated magni fed ges, comers and radi ebstruct he circular pater cf the eddy eaent. Ths = is called the edge effect. It limits the 10, volume disibution ofthe eddycurrent and ug its asocsed magnetic fields shown in Ww Fig. 6.4, “SS Fig. 641 Distiuion of Ely Current Due to Edge Effect136 NorDesouctve Test and Evaluation of Mateals In-homogeneities and discontinuities likecracks, inclusions, voids, et. in conducting materials also affect the eitcular pater of eddy curens snd the associated magnetic field Figure 65 illustrates the distortion in eddy current distribution due to a discontinuity Moonen ei Seconda ft Decorinuty ecrcay conaetne ‘ate 6.1.2 Coupling ‘Magnetic coupling refers tothe interaction of the varying magnetic field of the test cll with he test object. The effect ofthe primary magnetic field of the coil in inducing an edd current onthe surface of conductor i strongly influenced by the itance of the coil from its surface. A small distance of -septon este good coupling However, coupling isin uenced by such factors a configuration, geometry, surface condition and coating on the surface of the test object. Coupling is of two types: Liftoff and Fill-Factrs, Liftof? indicates the effect of separation of the test coil and the test surface, Fllfactor indicates the effect of ‘magnetic coupling when the encircling coil is used fo test a cylindscal object. FilLfacors given by the ‘ato of the cross-sectional aea of the specimen tothe elective cross-sectional area of the encircling coil as shown in Fig. 66. Disoes ay cue tow Fig, 65. Eifect of Discontinuity 00 Billy Current Distribution “Thus, Filfctor = 222 = p03 30} where Dy = Diameter ofthe tnd object Dy = nner dame ofthe etn coi Ite ol is used inside tow cylin te il-icorsien by he expression Fill factor = D}/D} whee Dy = Inara dete ofthe hallow ender , = External dat fhe oi cinaen Sgro See - seven I 4] t 4 | am - Sai idee Fig. 66. Fillfactor Encirling the Coil Surrounding the Cylindrical Test Object Eddy Caren Test 131 ‘The magnitude ofthe induced edly current in an objetincreases, withthe fequency of the inducing magnetic field. However, its depth of penetration is low in materials of high conductivity and high magnetic permeability. Eddy cuvent concentration is greater at the surface ofthe conductor as te depth increases. The depth at which eddy current intensity is reduced to 37% of its intensity on the surface is called standard depth of penetration and is given by: Hoon oid Sundar dept of penton = Vip — ee eine whee f= Freeney eee Fig. 62 Filet fra Holow fea tcreel eee hinder with an inde Coit Figure 6. illustrates the relationship between the depth of penetration and the frequency for various naterals 103) J z E Sent g ™| Trin § at Stiles sie] pe Gil 3 9230) — i gator 4 8925} 1g iyo f I Copper cones Toe “00 ine 10100 + Fregueng Te 10700 Fig. 68 Depts of Penetration at Various Frequencies in Various Materials 6.1.3 Impedance Diagram ‘An impedance diagram isa graphic representation ofthe ett of ey curent varibls on he test coil inpedance, The variables are lcrical conductivity, dimensional variations andthe magoetc pemesbilty ofthe pa. ke ation to thes, frequencies, disconimuts and coupling facto ls intuence the impedance ofthe ol The aaxis ofthe impedance diagram represents th resistive component of the cis impedance, ile he y-axis represen theindtive component ofthe coi's impedance Impedance diagrams ae rrepared for exch ofthe vse mentioned. Toeliminate the effect ofconsrcon or geomety of he co. he impedance diagrams ae normalized Ths is done by using the rato of ths inductance ofthe coil wth the specimen, and Ly wiout te spesnen (il). This procedure mak the presentation of infomation Independent ofthe pyc eran of the ci. Ina nrmalized impedance digram, te axe repesens thera (RR) andthe axis represen the ati clay138 on Desmactive Testand Evaluation of Materials where Ry = Resistance of the coil without the test specimen R= Resistance of the col withthe test specimen Ly = Inductance of the cil without the test specimen L = Inductance ofthe col wth the test specimen @ * Angular frequency ofthe applied AC Furher, inorder to make the impedance diagram independent ofthe conductivity, permeability and diameter of the test piece, impedance diagrams are plotted forthe ratio fi, instead of the existing frequency ‘f". Here, is calle limiting frequency and is defined as 2 oud? where f= Electrical conductivity = Magnetic permeability d= Diameter ofthe test piece ‘The estimated value offs given as S0S6,uard, 6.1.4 Effect of Coupling on Impedance Diagram Eifect of Uftoff Ithasbeen explained ear thatthe seperation between he test objetsurace andthe est ci isa measure ofthe li ofA lege distance of separation (age if of lead ta weak induction of the ely cre eaingin sal ages athe inpedance of thecal A small separation (smal lif) led to a strong incon of the eddy caren, resting in luge changes in the ipeince ofthe ei, Otter variables remaining conta, a vriaion in itoff prodes signian variation in the impedance ofthe et oi “This ct may mack the variation in impedance ofthe tet coi dae te property variation o oe othe presence ofa deft inthe tex rate is css therefor, Fam th viewpoint ofthe paca aplication of ey cents for nndesnctive testing, to kan te fet of the i-ofT on the ingedate ofthe coi Figue 69 shows en impefiance diagram fr diferent values of litte Ine gue, O represen the impedance othe cil when itis in the a, a good distance aay rom thet pecimen, As the coll appogchesthe test object with conductivity 4, th impedance lous i (OAK Similan, fo mater of condutvty B,C, De. the lock ace OK, OC, OX, ee. fo varios values of ite When the ci aces the pt, he pon of interstion with he impedence loco the varible under consideration conductivity inthe present case) namely pin 4 B,C; D, ct. pves te impedance ofthe tet cole pee combination. es } Dy > Inductive component (Lolo) rave + Resse coment Rls) Fig. 69 fect of Lif-ofon te Impedance of he Coll dy Caro Tet 139 Effect of Fill-factor The impedance cagram is pleted ina similar manner for di es gram is plotied i for different values of fillfactor (7) a Fig. 6.10 6.1.5 Effect of Magnetic Permeability on Impedance Diagram ‘The curet in aes coi induces magnetic ux in a conductive material present near it. The distribution of magnetic indveion is uneven along the cross-section ofthe material. This uneven distribution of ‘magnetic induction ead to an neven distribution ofthe eddy current, resulting in the charge of impedance ofthe test col. no conduct-g material is present near the col the fix density is given by: By Helly where Hy isthe field duet the coil este permeability of fee space ‘Bis the fox density a conducting material is preset, the fx density in the materia ch fensity inthe material changes to B, (say) and is no lenges ot oss-seton ional of eure ey et The changed flux density B is given by: B= May Bo, where jis the changed permeability due to presence ofthe conducting material Figure 6.1 shows the effect of changes in permeability on the impedance diagram, ‘The test frequencies are expressed as ratio ff, = 1,2, 3,4 ‘The curve ABCD represents various f/f, values, being the frequeny of the existing current —Inaetve component (t/a) = Inductive component (WoL) > Raisive component a) ~ Resisve component (late) Fig. 610 Inpedarce Diagram for Fig. 6:11 fet of Pemeabliy on Different Values of Fill-fctor s Effect of Permeability Impedance Diagram