NTM 51-60-00 A321

Customer : ENV Manual : NTM
Type : A318/A319/A320/A321 Selected effectivity : ALL

Rev. Date : Jul 01, 2016
51-60-00 - EDDY CURRENT TESTING - GENERAL
** ON A/C ALL
51-60-00 - Descriptions
1. General
A. The eddy current nondestructive testing method is capable of detecting or measuring the following in
electrically conductive materials :
- cracks,
- corrosion,
- thickness of non-conductive layers on conductive materials,
- conductivity .
2. Basic Principles
COIL
PRIMARY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD
SECONDARY FIELD CAUSED BY EDDY CURRENT

IN TEST SPECIMEN
THE SECONDARY FIELD OPPOSES THE PRIMARY
FIELD
EDDY CURRENT
PATHS
ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE
MATERIAL
L_NT_516000_1_0040101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-004-A - Eddy Current Generation

** ON A/C ALL
Print Date: August 09, 2016 Page 1 of 24

© AIRBUS S.A.S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY DOCUMENT.
GRAPHITE
100 4
3
TITANIUM
50 2
STAINLESS STEEL
1
EFFECTIVE DEPTH OF PENETRATION (MILLIMETERS)
20 ZIRCONIUM 0.8
0.6
TUNGSTEN URANIUM
EFFECTIVE DEPTH OF PENETRATION (INCHES)

10 0.4
LEAD 0.3
MAGNESIUM
5 0.2
ALUMINUM ALLOY
0.1
2 GOLD 0.08
0.06
1 0.04
COPPER 0.03
0.5 0.02
PURE ALUMINUM
0.01
0.2 CAST STEEL 0.008
INGOT IRON 0.006
0.1 0.004
0.003
0.05 HIGH ALLOY STEEL 0.002
0.001
0.02 0.0008
0.0006
0.01 0.0004
0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000
FREQUENCY (KHz)
EFFECTIVE DEPTH OF PENETRATION
THE EFFECTIVE DEPTH OF PENETRATION
IS THE POINT IN THE MATERIAL WHERE THE
EDDY CURRENT STRENGTH HAS DECREASED
TO 37% OF THE STRENGTH AT THE SURFACE
CONDUCTIVITY OF USUAL MATERIALS IN % IACS

THE FORMULA TO CALCULATE IT IS:
SILVER 105 ZINC 29
= 50 x f MILLIMETERS COPPER 100 BRASS(Cu-Zn) 30% Zn 28
GOLD 75 LEADED BRASS 12 - 25
= STANDARD DEPTH ALUMINUM 65 MAGNESIUM BRONZE 24
OF PENETRATION BRASS(Cu-Zn) 5% Zn 55 BERYLLIUM COPPER 24
/ m) = 172.41
= RESISTIVITY ( CAST ALUMINUM ALLOYS 25 - 40 PLATINUM 17
% IACS MAGNESIUM 39 LEAD 8.5
f = FREQUENCY (Hz) BRASS(Cu-Zn) 15% Zn 37 ZIRCONIUM 3.8
MOLYBDENUM 33 URANIUM 2.8
= PERMEABILITY TUNGSTEN 32 TITANIUM 2.3
L_NT_516000_1_0050101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-005-A - Effective Depth of Penetration and Conductivity of Common Materials
** ON A/C ALL

Cu = 58 MS / m = 100% IACS
IACS = International Annealed Copper Standard
100 58
(% IACS) (MS / m) 50 29
55
49
90
48 28
50
47
27
80 46
45 (% IACS) (MS / m)
45 26
44
70 40 25
43
42
24
60 35 41
40
23
39
30
50 38 22
37
25 21
36
40
35
20
20 34
30 33 19
15 32
31 18
20 30
10 17
29
28
10 16
5 27
26 15
0 0 25 14.5
L_NT_516000_1_0060101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-006-A - Conductivity Conversion Diagram
** ON A/C ALL

A. Generation of Eddy Currents

(1) If conductive materials are placed in an alternating magnetic field, circular currents are generated in
the material, flowing around the field lines. Generally, the currents flow vertically to the field lines in a
circular direction.
(2) If the magnetic field is now excited by a coil, the exciting currents and the currents generated in the
conductive material are antiparallel. They flow in the same plane (vertical to the magnetic field Lines),
but with the opposite direction of rotation.
(3) The induced currents produce a further magnetic field . As the induced currents are flowing in an
opposite direction to the exciting currents, the magnetic field produced by the induced currents is also
opposite to the existing magnetic field. This will weaken the exciting magnetic field, causing the coil's
reactance to decrease.
(4) If permanent eddy currents are to be excited in an electrically conductive material, an alternating
current must be passed through the coil (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-004).
B. Depth of Penetration of Eddy Currents
(1) The depth of penetration of eddy currents decreases with increasing exciter frequency (f) ; see
FIGURE 51-60-00-991-005. Changes in permeability (µ) and conductivity (o) also affect the depth
of penetration . Ferromagnetic materials have a large range of permeability (100 to 1000). The
permeability of non-ferromagnetic materials is a constant (1).
(2) For practical purposes, there are two types of eddy current equipment. The type used depends on the
depth of penetration required.
(a) Type 1: High Frequency (HF). It has frequencies higher than 10 kHz, and is used to inspect for
surface discontinuities.
(b) Type 2: Low Frequency (LF). It has frequencies lower than 10 kHz, and is used to inspect sub-
surface discontinuities.
(3) The electrical conductivity of a material is influenced by the following:
- material specification,
- material heat treatment condition,
- mechanical processing (machining, forming etc.),
- the temperature of the material.
(4) The conductivity values for materials which are commonly used in aircraft construction, see Table n°
1. Values are given as a function of the material condition. Conductivity values can be converted from
MS/m to % IACS, or vice versa (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-006 and Table n° 2 and Table n° 3).
TYPE OF PRODUCT MATERIAL SPE- CONDITION CONDUCTIVITY % IACS

CIFICATION MIN MAX
CLAD SHEET 2024 T3, T4 - -
3.1364 - 29 34
S.07.1009 T42
7075 T6, T62 31 35
3.4374
7475 T761, T762 39 43
3.4377
DTD5070 T8, T62 - -
-0.5 mm (0.020 in) 27 36
-0.9 mm (0.035 in) 32 42
-1.6 mm (0.063 in) 35 40
S.07.1010 - -
-1.0 mm (0.039 in) 31 34
-2.0 mm (0.079 in) 29 34
-3.5 mm (0.138 in) 30.5 36
UNCLAD SHEET 2024 - - -
3.1354 T351 30 33
BS.L97
2618A - - -

TYPE OF PRODUCT MATERIAL SPE- CONDITION CONDUCTIVITY % IACS

CIFICATION MIN MAX
CM003 T851, T651 35 40
S.07.1103
7075 - - -
3.4364 T651 31 35
BS.2L95
7075 T7351 38 41
3.4364
7050 T73651 41 45
3.4144
7010 T73651 41 45
3.4394
BAR AND EXTRUSIONS 2024 - - -
3.1354 T4, T3511 29 34
S.07.1003
DTD 5014A 29 33
2014 T6 36 41
BS.3L.65
7075 T6511 31 35
3.4364
7075 T73511 38 41
3.4364
TUBING 2024 T3, T42 29 34
3.1354
6061 T4, T42 36 43
3.3214
6061 T6, T62 39 47
3.3214
FORGED MATERIAL 2014 T6, T611 36 40
3.1254 - -
S.07.1001 - -
S.07.1002 37 41
7075 T73 38 44
3.4364
7175 T7352 38 41
7050 T736 41 45
3.4144 T73652
Table 1 - Conductivity Values
% IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m

1 0.58 26 15.1 51 29.6 76 44.1
2 1.16 27 15.7 52 30.2 77 44.7
3 1.74 28 16.2 53 30.7 78 45.2
4 2.32 29 16.8 54 31.5 79 45.8
5 2.90 30 17.4 55 31.9 80 46.4
6 3.48 31 18.0 56 32.5 81 47.0
7 4.06 32 18.6 57 33.1 82 47.6
8 4.64 33 19.1 58 33.6 83 48.1
9 5.22 34 19.7 59 34.2 84 48.7
10 5.80 35 20.3 60 34.8 85 49.3
11 6.38 36 20.9 61 35.4 86 49.9

% IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m

12 6.96 37 21.5 62 36.0 87 50.5
13 7.54 38 22.0 63 36.5 88 51.0
14 8.12 39 22.6 64 37.1 89 51.6
15 8.70 40 23.2 65 37.7 90 52.2
16 9.28 41 23.8 66 38.3 91 52.8
17 9.86 42 24.4 67 38.9 92 53.4
18 10.4 43 24.9 68 39.4 93 53.9
19 11.0 44 25.5 69 40.0 94 54.5
20 11.6 45 26.1 70 40.6 95 55.1
21 12.2 46 26.7 71 41.2 96 55.7
22 12.8 47 27.3 72 41.8 97 56.3
23 13.3 48 27.8 73 42.3 98 56.8
24 13.9 49 28.4 74 42.9 99 57.4
25 14.5 50 29.0 75 43.5 100 58.0
Table 2 - Conversion of Conductivity Values (% IACS in MS/m)
MS/m & IACS MS/m & IACS MS/m & IACS MS/m & IACS
1 1.72 15 28.5 30 51.7 44 75.8
2 3.45 16 27.6 31 53.4 45 77.6
3 5.17 17 29.3 32 55.2 46 79.3
4 6.90 18 31.0 33 56.9 47 81.0
5 8.62 19 32.7 34 58.6 48 82.7
6 10.3 20 34.5 35 60.3 49 84.5
7 12.1 21 36.2 36 62.1 50 86.2
8 13.8 22 37.9 37 63.8 51 87.9
9 15.5 23 39.6 38 65.5 52 89.6
10 17.2 24 41.4 39 67.2 53 91.4
11 18.9 25 43.1 40 68.9 54 93.1
12 20.7 26 44.8 41 70.7 55 94.8
13 22.4 27 46.5 42 72.4 56 96.5
14 24.1 28 48.3 43 74.1 57 98.3
29 50.0 58 100.0
Table 3 - Conversion of Conductivity Values (MS/m in % IACS)
3. Production of Eddy Currents for Practical Applications

POSITION 1 SHOWS THE PROBE IN AN

AREA WITHOUT DISCONTINUITIES AND
AWAY FROM EDGES. THE DISTRIBUTION
OF EDDY CURRENTS IS CONSTANT.
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 SHOWS THE PROBE IN TWO

DIFFERENT LOCATIONS:
- IN AN AREA WITH A DISCONTINUITY, AND
ALTERNATING ALTERNATING - IN AN AREA NEAR TO AN EDGE.
CURRENT MAGNETIC FIELD THE DISTRIBUTION OF EDDY CURRENTS
IS DISTURBED.
POSITION 2
DRIVER COIL
V V
EDDY CURRENTS
EDGE EFFECT
MEASURING
COIL
DISCONTINUITY ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE

e.g. CRACK MATERIAL
L_NT_516000_1_0070101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-007-A - The Effect of Discontinuities and Edges on the Distribution of Eddy Currents
** ON A/C ALL

A. When coil wound around a ferrite core is subjected to an alternating current, an electromagnetic alternating
field is produced. When this coil system is placed in contact with (or near to) the surface of an electrically
conductive material, eddy currents are produced within that material.
B. At any position within the central area of the material (away from edges and discontinuities) the distribution
of eddy currents is constant (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-007, Position 1).
C. At, or near to, an edge or over a discontinuity (e.g. a crack), the eddy current distribution is disturbed (See
FIGURE 51-60-00-991-007, Position 2).
D. An additional measuring coil can be wound around the ferrite core of the exciter coil. This is used to give
information about the eddy current reaction within the material.
E. These principles of eddy current production provide the basis for all inspections using this method.
4. Eddy Current Equipment
EVALUATION DISPLAY
GENERATOR
UNIT UNIT
PROBE
TEST PART
L_NT_516000_1_0080101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-008-A - Eddy Current Measuring System

** ON A/C ALL

EVALUATION UNIT SUPPLIES

AMPLITUDE
PHASE
EDDY CURRENT EQUIPMENT EDDY CURRENT EQUIPMENT

WITH METER DISPLAY WITH VISUAL DISPLAY (CRT)
(AMPLITUDE REPRESENTATION) (IMPEDANCE PLANE REPRESENTATION)
L_NT_516000_1_0090101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-009-A - Eddy Current Equipment with Amplitude/Impedance Plane Representation

** ON A/C ALL

1.0
cmR =
1.73
0.9
s=
2.90
0.3810
0.8 CALCULATED VALUES
L
Lo MEASURED VALUES
4.98
R2 = CONSTANT
INDUCTANCE
0.7 0.1905
8.56
0.0952
0.6
18.0
0.0476
29.0
0.5
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
RESISTANCE R
Lo
R = COIL RADIUS
S = LIFT OFF
= RADIAN FREQUENCY
R = PERMEABILITY
S
= CONDUCTIVITY
L = INDUCTANCE
L_NT_516000_1_0100101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-010-A - The Influence of Conductivity, Permeability

Frequency, Coil Radius and Distance Effect on the Impedance Plane
** ON A/C ALL

X X
COMPENSATION FILTER FOR
DISPLAY AND
OSCILLATOR AND SIGNAL ROTATING
EVALUATION
ROTATION SYSTEMS
Y Y
CONSTANT RECEIVER, AMPLIFIER DEMODULATOR FOR

CURRENT WITH IMPEDANCE AMPLITUDE AND
TRANSMITTER MATCHING PHASE SEPARATION
EDDY CURRENT PROBE
TEST PART
L_NT_516000_1_0110101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-011-A - Block Diagram of an Eddy Current System
** ON A/C ALL

A. All eddy current systems have common features which are derived from physics. It is therefore possible to
divide an eddy current system into basic units of equipment:
(1) A generator drives a coil system (probe). The coil system measures the discontinuity and gives a
signal. An evaluation unit makes an analysis of the signal. The result is shown on a display unit (See
FIGURE 51-60-00-991-008).
B. The coil system (probe), together with the generator forms a vibration system, the properties of which
are influenced by the environment of the coil system. The influences consist of changes of conductivity
and permeability at locations adjacent to the probe system. Cracks and reduced or increased component
thicknesses, for example, are local conductivity changes. This will determine the impedance behavior of
the coil system and affect the phase relationships between voltage and current and their amplitude ratios.
C. For most inspections, it is sufficient for the evaluation unit to display only the amplitude of the measuring
system (See 51-60-00-003, Figure 51-60-00-007). For these inspections equipment can be used which has
a meter display for measuring the amplitude of the eddy current signals.
D. It is often not sufficient to measure only the amplitude. For some inspections the evaluation unit must
also assess the phase changes of the eddy current signals (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-009). For these
inspections equipment with a visual display (cathode ray tube) is used for the representation of phase and
amplitude (impedance plane representation).
E. The use of impedance plane methods requires a knowledge of the following parameters which influence
the eddy current field:
- conductivity,
- frequency,
- the distance between the coil and the test part,
- permeability,
- geometry,
- edge effect.
Each parameter has a different direction of indication on the impedance plane. The influence of
conductivity, permeability, frequency, coil radius and distance effect on the impedance plane, see FIGURE
51-60-00-991-010. Typical eddy current equipment (for measuring amplitude and phase changes) has
components, see FIGURE 51-60-00-991-011.
5. Eddy Current Probes

ABSOLUTE PROBES
1 COIL SYSTEM
THE TRANSMITTER IS
ALSO THE RECEIVER
MEASURING COIL
AND
2 COIL SYSTEM
THIS HAS A TRANSMITTER
AND A RECEIVER
MEASURING COIL
DIFFERENTIAL PROBE
THE TWO CORES HAVE THE SAME

FIELD WINDING. EACH CORE HAS
A COUNTERWOUND MEASURING COIL.
THESE ARE CONNECTED IN SERIES.
MEASURING COIL
L_NT_516000_1_0130101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-013-A - Examples of Coil Windings for Eddy Current Probes
** ON A/C ALL

FOUR-POLE PROBE
MEASURING COIL
A TEST PART
ROTARY PROBE
MEASURING COIL
ROTARY HEAD
A
L_NT_516000_1_0140101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-014-A - Examples of Coil Windings for Special Differential Probes
** ON A/C ALL

A. To inspect a component, a probe adapted to the inspection task is required. In principle there are two types
of probe:
(1) An Absolute Probe System
(a) In its simplest form this has a ferrite core around which a coil is wound. This acts as an exciter
and a measuring winding. It is also possible to have a separate exciter coil (field coil) and receiver
coil (measuring coil) in this system. This probe system is used for corrosion measurement,
conductivity measurement, layer thickness measurement and surface crack inspections.
(2) A Differential Probe System
(a) In its simplest form this consists of two ferrite cores which are surrounded by a common field
winding. Each core has a separate counterwound measuring coil. When this arrangement of coils
is used to inspect an area which is uniformly good or has a discontinuity which extends under both
coils, the resulting measuring signal is zero. If a discontinuity occurs under only one coil, the two
coils are out of balance with each other and a measuring signal is generated.
(3) Both of the above probe systems can be made into multi-coil systems with various field and
measuring coils. This depends on the set-up and type of wiring. For example, a four-pole coil with
a centrally located transmitter coil and four receiver coils located around the transmitter coil can
be used to inspect riveted joints. Examples of different types of probe coil windings, see FIGURE
51-60-00-991-013 and FIGURE 51-60-00-991-014.
(4) Special probes can be used to inspect the bores of holes. These are usually differential coil probes
which are rotated by a motor at a constant speed to scan the bore of the hole. Hand-rotated absolute
probes can be used as an alternative.
(5) Special probes may be necessary for some inspections to counteract the effects caused by changes in
the profile or the edges of the inspection area. The probe can have the same shape as the inspection
area or a special probe holder can be used to hold the probe in a controlled position.
(6) Probe guides can be used if it is necessary to maintain a constant scanning path during the inspection.
For example, a draftman's template can be used to scan around rivet heads or a non-conductive
straight edge can be used to scan in a straight line.
6. Calibration Block
SLOT A B C
mm in mm in mm in ELECTRO EROSION SLOTS
DEPTH 0.2 0.008 0.5 0.02 1 0.039
WIDTH 0.2 0.008 0.2 0.008 0.2 0.008
C
TOLERANCES: DAN 11304 B
7 mm A
(0.276 in)
80 mm
(3.15 in)
35 mm
(1.378 in)
L_NT_516000_1_0150101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-015-A - Example of a Calibration Block to Calibrate for Surface Crack Inspections
** ON A/C ALL

HOLE WITH NO SLOT
D
X
SLOT
X
HOLE WITH A
SPARK EROSION SLOT
NOTE:
THE WIDTH OF THE SLOT MUST BE A MAXIMUM OF 0.2 mm (0.008 in)
THE DEPTH OF THE SLOT MUST BE APPROXIMATELY 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
THE DIAMETER OF THE ROTATING PROBE MUST BE 0.1 mm (0.004 in)

SMALLER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE HOLE TO BE INSPECTED.
THE MATERIAL OF THE CALIBRATION BLOCK MUST BE SIMILAR TO

THE MATERIAL OF THE TEST PART.
THE THICKNESS (D) OF THE CALIBRATION BLOCK MUST BE THE SAME

AS THE THICKNESS OF THE TEST PART.
THE DIAMETER (X) OF THE HOLES MUST BE THE SAME AS THE

DIAMETER OF THE HOLES IN THE TEST PART.
L_NT_516000_1_0160101_01_01
Figure 51-60-00-991-016-A - Example of a Calibration Block for the Inspection of Holes
** ON A/C ALL

REDUCTION
FROM D
5% 10% 15% 20%
A A
REDUCED SKIN THICKNESS

20 mm
(0.79 in)
5% 10% 15% 20%
A A
150 mm
(5.906 in)
20 mm
(0.79 in)
50 mm 3 x 50 mm
(1.969 in) (3 x 1.969 in)
250 mm
(9.843 in)
NOTE: BOTH AXES OF THE REBATES MUST BE GREATER THAN THE PROBE DIAMETER.
L_NT_516000_1_0170101_01_00
Figure 51-60-00-991-017-A - Example of a Calibration Block to Inspect for and Evaluate Corrosion
** ON A/C ALL

A. Before using the eddy current method to inspect a part for its condition or for discontinuities, the condition
or discontinuities which are sought must be defined. As for any other measuring method, the eddy current
method requires a reference as a block. All deviations from this block, within a specified tolerance, will then
be considered as unacceptable.
B. For different inspections, different calibration blocks and adjusting blocks are required for this
measurement comparison. These calibration blocks can also be used for functional checking of the test
equipment.
C. As a general rule, the simulated discontinuity in a block must be as representative of a real discontinuity
as is possible. When testing for cracks, for example, a saw cut will have a different effect on eddy current
distribution than a natural fatigue crack. For practical purposes, however, it is often not possible to produce
a calibration block with natural discontinuities. Therefore, the choice of calibration block is very important
for the assessment of the discontinuity. Different types of blocks are given below:
(1) Calibration Block for the Inspection of Surface-Breaking Cracks
(a) A calibration block with eroded surface slots of different depths can be used. The material
specification of the block must be similar to the material specification of the part to be inspected.
The widths of the eroded slots are 0.2 mm (0.008 in), the depths of the slots are 0.2 mm (0.008
in), 0.5 mm (0.020 in) and 1 mm (0.039 in). An example of a calibration block to calibrate for
surface crack inspections is shown in FIGURE 51-60-00-991-015.
(2) Calibration Block for the Inspection of Holes
(a) A calibration block for the inspection of holes must be made from the similar material as the part to
be inspected. It must have the same thickness as the part.
(b) For each hole to be inspected, there must be two holes of the same diameter and quality in the
block. One hole must have no discontinuities, the other must have a continuous eroded slot.
The width of the slot must be a maximum of 0.2 mm (0.008 in). The depth of the slot must be
approximately 0.5 mm (0.020 in). An example of a block for the inspection of holes is shown in
FIGURE 51-60-00-991-016.
(3) Calibration Block to Inspect for and Evaluate Corrosion
(a) A calibration block to inspect for and evaluate corrosion must be made of the same material as the
part to be inspected and must have the same thickness.
(b) The calibration block should have areas of reduced thickness, e.g. 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the
nominal material thickness. These depend on the depth of material reduction to be measured. An
example of a block to inspect for and evaluate corrosion is shown in FIGURE 51-60-00-991-017.
(4) Calibration Block for Coating Thickness Measurement
(a) A calibration block for coating thickness measurement must be made from the same material
as the basic unpainted material of the inspection area. Two or more foils with similar material
properties to the coating to be measured must be supplied with the block. These foils should have
different thicknesses which are within the measurement range. This is to permit the calibration of
the equipment.
(5) Calibration Block for Conductivity Measurement
(a) Basic calibration blocks to measure conductivity are usually supplied with the equipment. For
special applications it may be necessary to produce special blocks. These must be within the
required measurement range.
(6) Calibration Block for Special Applications
(a) For some special inspections, a calibration/reference block must be made which represents
the part to be inspected. This type of block must be made from the same materials and to the
same construction blocks as the part to be inspected. The block must contain representative
discontinuities in the areas where discontinuities are likely to occur in the real structure.
7. Applications of Eddy Current Equipment

HIGH FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT

TEST INSTRUMENT WITH METER
PRESENTATION (AMPLITUDE)
CALIBRATION BLOCK
CRACKS
ABSOLUTE
PROBE
DRAFTMAN'S
CIRCLE TEMPLATES
L_NT_516000_1_0180101_01_01
Figure 51-60-00-991-018-A - Example of an Inspection for Surface Cracks
** ON A/C ALL

615
6 SCALE DIVISIONS
WITHOUT CRACK
SINGLE - SIDED SAWCUT A

6 mm (0.236 in) WITH CRACK
LOW FREQUENCY EDDY

CURRENT TEST INSTRUMENT
WITH SCREEN DISPLAY
(PHASE AND AMPLITUDE)
REFERENCE BLOCK PROBE GUIDE
PROBE A
CENTER MARK
EXTERNAL
SKIN DIFFERENTIAL PROBE
(FOUR-POLE PROBE)
PROBE
GUIDE
RIVET
ROW 1
INTERNAL
SKIN
INSPECTION
DIRECTION
RIVET
ROW 1
SIMULATED CRACKS
(SAWCUTS) FATIGUE
CRACKS
STRINGER EXTERNAL SKIN

PROBE GUIDE
AREA TO BE INSPECTED RIVET ROW 1

L_NT_516000_1_0190101_01_01
Figure 51-60-00-991-019-A - An Example of an Inspection for Cracks in Deep Structure
** ON A/C ALL

100% 100%
75% 75%
50% 50%
25% 25%
0% 0%
616
0° 90° 180° 270° 360° 0° 90° 180° 270° 360°

INDICATION FROM INDICATION FROM A
A HOLE WITH A CRACK A HOLE WITH NO CRACK
HOLE WITH
NO SLOT
ROTARY PROBE
SLOT
HIGH FREQUENCY
A
EDDY CURRENT
INSTRUMENT WITH
SYNCHRONOUS
SCREEN DISPLAY
MOTOR UNIT TO
ROTATE THE PROBE CALIBRATION
BLOCK
CRACK
L_NT_516000_1_0200101_01_01
Figure 51-60-00-991-020-A - An Example of an Inspection for Cracks in Holes
** ON A/C ALL

617
AN INDICATION FROM AN AREA AN INDICATION FROM AN AREA

WITH CORROSION WITH NO CORROSION
A
INSPECTION AREA
LOW FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT CORROSION

TEST INSTRUMENT WITH SCREEN
DISPLAY (PHASE AND AMPLITUDE) DOUBLER
OUTER SKIN
A A
CALIBRATION BLOCK
A A
L_NT_516000_1_0210101_01_01
Figure 51-60-00-991-021-A - An Example of an Inspection for Corrosion
** ON A/C ALL

A. The Eddy current equipment consists of:

- a suitable eddy current test instrument,
- an eddy current probe applicable to the inspection task,
- a calibration/reference block applicable to the inspection task.
The examples which follow show typical applications of eddy current equipment for in-service aircraft
inspections.
B. Inspection for Surface Cracks (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-018)
(1) The following test system is most suited to inspected for surface breaking cracks.
(a) Test Instrument
1 High-frequency eddy current equipment (HF-EC), with meter display (amplitude only).
(b) Eddy Current Probe
1 An absolute probe, the selection of which is dependent on the material to be tested (Fe,
NFe etc.). Shielded probes may be used for some special applications. They are used to
compensate for the effect from adjacent materials with different specification (rivets, bolts
etc.).
(c) Calibration Block
1 For Calibration Block, see 51-60-00-006, Figure 51-60-00-015, with similar material
specification to the inspection area.
C. Inspection for Cracks in Concealed Areas
(1) The equipment which follows may be used to inspect for cracks which are below the surface and
cracks which are in deeper structural areas.
(a) Test Instrument
1 Low-frequency eddy current equipment (LF-EC), with greater depth of penetration and
impedance plane presentation (Screen display).
1 Differential or absolute probe applicable to the inspection task.
1 Reference block applicable to the component structure to be tested. It must have slots of the
area of expected cracks. The slots must represent the length and direction of possible cracks.
The slots must have a maximum width of 0.2 mm (0.008 in).
(2) FIGURE 51-60-00-991-019 shows a typical inspection for cracks in deep structure. This example is the
second layer of a fuselage skin joint.
D. Inspection for Cracks in Holes (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-020)
(1) To inspect holes for cracks which break through the surface of the bore, the following equipment is
preferred.
(a) Test Instrument
1 HF-EC equipment with screen display, designed for dynamic eddy current testing and using a
synchronous rotary probe driver.
1 Special differential coil rotating probe. The probe diameter is 0.1 mm (0.004 in) less than the
diameter of the hole to be inspected.
1 For Calibration Block for the inspection of holes, see 51-60-00-006, Figure 51-60-00-016.
(2) Holes can be inspected with this procedure only if the fasteners (bolts, rivets, pins etc.) are removed.
FIGURE 51-60-00-991-020 shows an example of an inspection of holes using a dynamic rotating
probe test system.
(3) The countersink area of fastener holes can also be inspected using this procedure. This is done using
a suitably contoured rotating probe.
(4) The inspection of holes and countersink areas can also be done using HF-EC equipment with hand-
rotated absolute probes.
(5) These inspections can be done in single or multiple-layer structures.
E. Corrosion Inspection and Evaluation (See FIGURE 51-60-00-991-021)
(1) The following equipment may be used to inspect for and evaluate corrosion on the inner surface of
sheet materials.

(a) Test Instrument

1 LF-EC equipment with greater depth of penetration and impedance plane presentation
(Screen display).
1 Special absolute probe adapted to the inspection task.
1 For Calibration Block to inspect for and evaluate corrosion, see 51-60-00-006, Figure
51-60-00-017. The material specification and nominal thickness must be similar to the
structure to be inspected.
(2) FIGURE 51-60-00-991-021 shows the basic principle of corrosion inspection.
End of document


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NTM 51-60-00 A321

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Customer : ENV Manual : NTM

Type : A318/A319/A320/A321 Selected effectivity : ALL

PRIMARY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

SECONDARY FIELD CAUSED BY EDDY CURRENT

Figure 51-60-00-991-004-A - Eddy Current Generation

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EFFECTIVE DEPTH OF PENETRATION (INCHES)

CONDUCTIVITY OF USUAL MATERIALS IN % IACS

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A. Generation of Eddy Currents

TYPE OF PRODUCT MATERIAL SPE- CONDITION CONDUCTIVITY % IACS

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TYPE OF PRODUCT MATERIAL SPE- CONDITION CONDUCTIVITY % IACS

Table 1 - Conductivity Values

% IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m

Print Date: August 09, 2016 Page 5 of 24

% IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m % IACS MS/m

Table 2 - Conversion of Conductivity Values (% IACS in MS/m)

Table 3 - Conversion of Conductivity Values (MS/m in % IACS)

3. Production of Eddy Currents for Practical Applications

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POSITION 1 SHOWS THE PROBE IN AN

POSITION 1 POSITION 2 SHOWS THE PROBE IN TWO

DISCONTINUITY ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE

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4. Eddy Current Equipment

Figure 51-60-00-991-008-A - Eddy Current Measuring System

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EVALUATION UNIT SUPPLIES

EDDY CURRENT EQUIPMENT EDDY CURRENT EQUIPMENT

Figure 51-60-00-991-009-A - Eddy Current Equipment with Amplitude/Impedance Plane Representation

Print Date: August 09, 2016 Page 9 of 24

Figure 51-60-00-991-010-A - The Influence of Conductivity, Permeability

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CONSTANT RECEIVER, AMPLIFIER DEMODULATOR FOR

EDDY CURRENT PROBE

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5. Eddy Current Probes

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THE TWO CORES HAVE THE SAME

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TOLERANCES: DAN 11304 B

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HOLE WITH NO SLOT

THE DIAMETER OF THE ROTATING PROBE MUST BE 0.1 mm (0.004 in)

THE MATERIAL OF THE CALIBRATION BLOCK MUST BE SIMILAR TO

THE THICKNESS (D) OF THE CALIBRATION BLOCK MUST BE THE SAME

THE DIAMETER (X) OF THE HOLES MUST BE THE SAME AS THE

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REDUCED SKIN THICKNESS

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7. Applications of Eddy Current Equipment

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HIGH FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT

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SINGLE - SIDED SAWCUT A

LOW FREQUENCY EDDY

REFERENCE BLOCK PROBE GUIDE

STRINGER EXTERNAL SKIN

AREA TO BE INSPECTED RIVET ROW 1

Print Date: August 09, 2016 Page 20 of 24

0° 90° 180° 270° 360° 0° 90° 180° 270° 360°