standards establish the following methods as adequate for the

inspection of surface-breaking defects, according to specific

guidelines:
• Magnetic particle testing (MT)
• Liquid penetrant testing (PT)
• Eddy current testing (ECT)
• Eddy current array (ECA)

Magnetic Particle Inspection

MPI’s working principle is to magnetize (directly or indirectly)

the part under test and then applying a wet suspension or dry
ferrous particles on it (typically iron oxide). The presence of a
surface or subsurface discontinuity in the part under test allows
the magnetic flux to leak because air does not support as much
magnetic field per unit volume as metal. If a flux leakage area is
present, the ferrous particles are attracted to it and they build up
forming an indication.