8/6/2018 Eddy Current Testing: What is Eddy Current Testing | Eddyfi

ECT

Eddy Current Testing (ECT)

Eddy current testing is an electromagnetic testing technique usually used to
inspect non-ferromagnetic materials.

How it Works
In its most basic form — the single-element eddy current testing probe — a copper wire is excited with
an alternating electrical current. This wire produces a magnetic eld around itself in the direction
ascertained by the right-hand rule. This magnetic eld oscillates at the same frequency as the current
running through the coil. When the coil approaches a conductive material, currents opposed to the ones
in the coil are induced in the material — eddy currents.

A defect in the conductive material disturbs the path of eddy currents, creating a local magnetic eld
that changes the balance of the system. This can be detected by measuring the changes in impedance
in the coil, which is a telltale sign of the presence of defects. 

With time, different technologies were developed such as pulsed eddy current (PEC) that detects aws
and corrosion in ferrous materials and eddy current array (ECA) that uses multiples coils together to get
an effective reading of a large area on a single pass. 

Bene ts
Several bene ts are derived from eddy current testing:

It is suited to volumetric aws such as corrosion, wear, and large porosities, as well as cracking.

It can detect surface-breaking, near-surface, and far-surface defects.

ECT probes don’t need to be in contact with the part under inspection.

Eddy current testing can be used in applications other than aw detection.

Parts under test require only minimal preparation.

Tubing Applications
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Detection Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Acceptable,Acceptable,
ID pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
but limited but limited

Acceptable, Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

OD pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent
but limited suitable  suitable but limited  but limited 

Acceptable, Not Acceptable,Acceptable,Acceptable, Not Acceptable,

Axial cracking Excellent
but limited suitable but limited but limited but limited suitable but limited

Circumferential Acceptable, Not Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,Acceptable,

Excellent
cracking but limited suitable suitable suitable but limited but limited but limited

ID corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

OD corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable but limited but limited

Acceptable, Acceptable, Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

At tubesheet Excellent Excellent
but limited but limited suitable suitable but limited but limited

Sizing Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Not Not Not

ID pitting Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent
suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not

OD pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent Good
suitable  suitable suitable  suitable 

Not Not Not Not Not

Axial cracking Good Excellent Good
suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable

Circumferential Not Not Not Not Not Not

Excellent Good
cracking it bl it bl it bl it bl it bl it bl
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cracking suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable
Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC
Not Not Not
ID corrosion Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not

OD corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not Not

At tubesheet Good Good Excellent
suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable

Suitability According to Tubing Material

Material/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Tube Yes Yes Yes No No No No No

Non-
ferromagnetic Integral-
nned Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
tube

Tube No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Low
ferromagnetic Integral-
nned No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
tube

Tube No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Integral-
nned No No Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ferromagnetic tube

Aluminum-
nned No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
tube

Surface Applications
When it comes to surface applications, the performance of any given inspection technique depends
greatly on the speci c conditions — mostly the types of materials and defects, but also surface
conditions, cleanliness, etc. However, in most situations, the following are true:

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Liquid Magnetic ECT ECA

Liquid(PT)
penetrant Magnetic
particles (MT) ECT ECA
penetrant (PT) particles (MT)
Effective on No Yes Yes Yes
coatings/paints

Computerized record No No Partial Yes

keeping

3D/Advanced imaging No No No Yes

User dependence High High High Low

Speed Very low Very low Low Very high

Cleaning Yes Yes Application- Application-

speci c speci c

Post-inspection analysis No No No Yes

Chemicals/Consumables Yes Yes No No

Literature

Standard surface ECA probe catalog

Tubing inspection probe catalog

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