China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)

中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）

MPI Procedure

1. MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION

2.1 Verification for the Qualification of MPI Personnel and MPI Procedure.

Nondestructive testing personnel shall be certified to Level I, II or III in accordance with

the recommendations of American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Recommended

Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, ACCP or any other recognized national certification program

that shall be acceptable to the company for the test method used. Only Level II or III

personnel shall interpret test results.

In this project ,NDT personnel should acquire ASNT certificates .Besides, if EMPLOYER

agree, other NDT certificates can be used ,such as‖ General Administration of Quality

Supervision Inspection and Quarantine of P.R.C(People Republic of China)‖。

All MPI Personnel shall also pass visual acuity Test to Jaeger J2.

This procedure shall be approved by EMPLOYER prior to executing.

2.2 Instrument and Material

All the equipments and instruments involved in this MPI activity must be calibrated,

Calibration sheets concerning equipments and instruments shall be submitted to

EMPLOYER before start working.

The following equipments, tools and material shall be used for the project.

Frequency of calibration according to T761 of ASME V-2007.

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）

Note: the equipments please refer to on-site real equipments.

2.3 Lifting Power of Yokes

Prior to use, the magnetizing power of electromagnetic yokes shall have been checked

within the past year.

The magnetizing power of all yokes shall be checked whenever the yoke has been

damaged or repaired.

Yokes and permanent magnetics (when allowed) shall be dead weight tested every 6

month. Alternating current yokes shall have a lifting force of at least 10 lb (45 N), with a

2 to 4-in. (50 to 100-mm) spacing between legs. Direct current yokes shall have a lifting

force of at least 30 lb (135 N), with a 2 to 4-in. (50 to 100-mm) spacing between legs, or

50 lb (225 N), with a 4 to 6-in. (100 to 150-mm) spacing.

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
2.4 Reference Standard Notched Shims

The shims are available in two thicknesses, 0.002 in. (0.05 mm) and 0.004 in. (0.10

mm). Thinner shims are used when the thicker shims cannot conform to the part surface

in the area of interest.

Shims shall be used as specified in AS 5371. Shims are placed in the area(s) of interest

with notches toward the surface of the part being examined. Use enough shims or place

the shims in multiple areas to ensure proper field directions and strengths are obtained.

2.5 Particle Characteristics

The magnetic particles must have high permeability to allow ease of magnetizing and

attraction to the discontinuity and low retentively so they will not be attracted (magnetic

agglomeration) to each other. Control of particle size and shape is required to obtain

consistent results. The particles should be nontoxic, free from rust, grease, paint, dirt,

and other deleterious materials that might interfere with their use. Both dry and wet

particles are considered safe when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions. They generally afford a very low hazard potential with regard to flammability

and toxicity.

2.6 Suspension concentration

In this project, we plan to use MPI ink canned and white contrast enhancement agent

canned. Therefore qualified certificate of production shall be present before inspection.

(the acceptable requirements of Suspension Concentration is 25g/l)

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
2.7 Sequence of Operations

(1) MPI technique

Wet continuous electromagnetic yoke technique is used in this project.

(2) Particle Contamination

In this project, we plan to use MPI ink canned and white contrast enhancement agent

canned which will be guaranteed within the expiration date.

(3) Temperature Limitations

Adopting wet particles to conduct weld inspection, the temperature shall be no higher

than 55℃.

(4) Dry and Wet Particles Requirements

According to ASTM E-709 STANDARD GUIDE FOR MAGNETIC PARTICLE

EXAMINATION.

(5) Suspension Vehicle Requirements

Magnetic suspension liquid: when conducting wet magnetic inspection, petroleum ether

distillates similar to AMS 2641 (I) and DoD-F-87935 shall be adopted.

(6) Requirements for Magnetizing Current

Direct or rectified magnetizing current shall be used. The current shall be 100(minimum)

amp/in. (4 amp/mm) to 125 (maximum) amp/in. (5 amp/mm) of prod spacing for sections

3/4 in. (19mm) thick or greater. For sections less than 3/4 in.(19 mm) thick, the current

shall be 90 amp/in. (3.6 amp/mm) to 110 amp/in. (4.4 amp.mm ) of prod spacing.

(7) Magnetic Field Strength and Direction

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
Direction of magnetization: At least two separate examinations shall be performed on

each area. During the second examination, the lines of magnetic flux shall be

approximately perpendicular to those used during the first examination. A different

technique for magnetization may be used for the second examination.

Magnetic Field Strength: Fixed load experiment to the magnetic yoke shall be

conducted every 6 months. When the pole spacing is between 2 and 6 inches (50 ～150

mm), alternating current electromagnetic yoke has a lifting power of at least 10 lb

(4.5kg). When the pole spacing is between 2 and 4 inches (50 ～100 mm), direct current

electromagnetic yoke shall have a lifting power of at least 30lb (13.5kg). As to the pole

spacing in the range of 4 inches to 6 inches (100 ～ 150 mm), the direct current

electromagnetic yoke has a lifting power of at least 50 lb (22.5kg).

(8) Method of Excess Particle Removal

The dangling modes shall be used in order to form a magnetic force which shall be

strong enough to remove the redundant magnetic particles. What should note here is

that the magnetic force can’t be too strong, because extra strong magnetic force will

interfere with the adhesion of magnetic particle in the imperfect area of magnetic flux

leakage.

(9) Surface preparation

In general, the surface of the part is in the as-welded, as-rolled, as-cast, or as-forged

condition. Surface preparation by grinding, machining, or other methods may be

necessary where surface irregularities could mask indications.

The surface to be examined and all adjacent areas within at least 25 mm. shall be dry

and free of any extraneous matter that could interfere with the examination.

Welds may be scrubbed with a steel brush.

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
(10) Electromagnetic Yoke Magnetization

Magnetization current is decided by standard shim. The distance between articulated

legs (poles) is controlled as range of 75mm~200mm. Effective area inspected is within

50mm both sides of the line of between articulated poles, but effective inspection range

is the zone which artificial defect in standard shim can display clearly. Magnetization

zone shall overlap 15mm at least.

Area inspected of work piece shall be magnetization twice; Magnetic force line shall be

vertical approximately. Sketch map is as following.

(11) Wet Particle Application

Wet magnetic particles, suspended in a vehicle at a recommended concentration may

be applied either by spraying or flowing over the areas to be inspected during the

application of the magnetizing field current (continuous technique) .Proper sequencing

of operation (part magnetization and timing of bath application) is essential to indication

formation and retention. For the continuous technique multiple current shots should be

applied. The last shot should be applied after the particle flow has been diverted and

while the particle bath is still on the part. A single shot may be sufficient. Care should be

taken to prevent damage to a part due to overheating or other causes. Since fine or
 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
weakly held indications on highly finished or polished surfaces may be washed away or

obliterated, care must be taken to prevent high-velocity flow over critical surfaces and to

cut off the bath application before removing the magnetic field. Since a residual field has

a lower intensity than a continuous field, less pronounced indications tend to form.

Examination Medium wet magnetic particle materials

1) The magnetic particles used for obtaining patterns of discontinuities shall be non-

toxic and shall provide adequate contrast with the surface being examined.

2) The magnetic particles used for obtaining patterns of discontinuities shall be capable

of exhibiting good visual contrast against the white backing medium.

3) White background contrast shall be used with black magnetic ink particles and shall

not corrode or otherwise adversely affect the integrity of the steel components being

examined.

(12) Magnetic particle indication

Visible Light Intensity—The intensity of the visible light at the surface of the part/work

piece undergoing examination should be a minimum of 100 foot candles (1000 lux). For

some field inspections using non fluore scent particles, visible light intensities as low as

50 foot candles (500 lux) may be used when agreed on by the contracting agency.

Ultraviolet intensity for Fluorescent Inspection shall be 1500 microns W/sqcm at a

distance of 15'' (381mm) on the area of interest.

When identify fine magnetic particle indication, the magnifier of 5~10 times can be used.

(13) Recording of Indications

Means of Recording— When required by a written procedure, permanent records of the

 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
location, type, direction, length(s), and spacing(s) of indications may be made by one or

more of the following means.

Sketches—Sketching the indication(s) and their locations.

Photographing—Photographing the indications themselves, the tape, or the strippable

film reproductions of the indications.

Written Records—Recording the location,length, orientation, and number of indications.

(14) Demagnetization

When residual magnetism in the part could interfere with subsequent processing or

usage, the part shall be demagnetized any time after completion of the examination.

There are several kinds of demagnetization methods, demagnetizing with yokes for this

project should be recommended at field inspection.

Demagnetizing With Yokes—Alternating current yokes may be used for local

demagnetization by placing the poles on the surface, moving them around the area, and

slowly withdrawing the yoke while it is still energized.

Extent of Demagnetization—The effectiveness of the demagnetizing operation can be

indicated by the use of appropriate magnetic field indicators or field strength meters.

After demagnetization residual fields should not exceed 3 G (240 Am−1) anywhere in

the piece, absolute value, unless otherwise agreed upon or as specified on the

engineering drawing or in the contract, purchase order, or specification.

(15) Post Examination Cleaning

Particle Removal—Post-test cleaning is necessary where magnetic particle material(s)

could interfere with subsequent processing or with service requirements. Extent of post-
 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
cleaning required shall be the surface to be examined and all adjacent areas within at

least 1 in.(25 mm).

Means of particle removal for this project: removal of wet particles by flushing with solvent.

Other suitable post-examination cleaning techniques may be used if they will not interfere with

subsequent requirements.

2.8 Interpretation of the result

Only Level II or III MPI personnel shall interpret the magnetic particle indication.

The magnetic particle indication shall be interpreted as per 9.4 of API1104 .

The report shall be submitted to the EMPLOYER after completion. The final judgment

shall be decided by the EMPLOYER with signature on the report.

2.9 Repair

The repaired area of weld shall be inspected by the original inspection method. The

acceptance standard shall be as per above Acceptance Criteria.

2.10 Report & Documentation

MPI Report shall be signed & verified by level Ⅱor Ⅲ personnel and transfer to

EMPLOYER for approval. MPI reports shall prepare two copies, one for EMPLOYER

the other for Contractor. Report & relative information should be kept properly till hand-

over to EMPLOYER.

2.11 Evaluation

Only indications which have any dimension greater than 1, 6 mm shall be considered

relevant. A linear indication is one having a length greater than three times the width.

A rounded indication is one of circular or elliptical shape with a length equal to or less
 China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (Sudan)
中国石油天然气管道局（苏丹）
than three times the width.

Any questionable or doubtful indication shall be reexamined to determine whether or not

they are relevant.

An indication of an imperfection may be larger than the imperfection that causes it;

however, the size of the indication is the basis for acceptance evaluation.

Acceptance standards

All surfaces shall be free of:

Relevant linear indications

Relevant rounded indications greather than 4, 5mm.

Four or more relevant rounded indications in a line, separated by 1, 6mm or less, edge

to edge.