Eddy Current Inspection

It is based on the principles of Electromagnetic Induction.

It can be used to monitor following in electrically conductive parts Physical Condition Structural Condition Metallurgical Condition

Applications
1.To Measure Electrical conductivity, Magnetic permeability, Grain size, Heat treatment condition, Physical dimensions. 2. To Detect Following Flaws Seams, Laps, Cracks, Voids, Inclusions. 3. To Sort Metals and Differentiate Them According to Composition, Microstructure and Other properties. 4 .To Measure Thickness of Coatings on Metals.

PRINCIPLE OF METHOD An electric coil through which alternating current is passed is brought near the object being inspected or the part is placed inside the coil through which current flow as shown in figure. Exciting current flowing through the coil causes eddy current to flow in the part being inspected due to electromagnetic induction. The eddy current flow in loops and its strength is dependent on Strength of the primary field Electrical properties of the

part

Electromagnetic field established due to current flowing through the part being inspected.

ADVANTAGES Does not require any being inspected contact with part

Can be used for high speed inspection. Entire production output inspected can be

LIMITATIONS 1.Method is based on indirect measurement. 2.Correlation between the instrument reading and characteristics and serviceability of actual part is to be established 3.Some inherent properties of the material may lead to irrelevant indications

EDDY CURRENT SYSTEM Essential components of the Eddy Current system are 1. Engineering of the inspection coil. 2. Modulation of the inspection coil output signal by the part being inspected. 3. Processing of the signal. 4. Amplification of the above signal. 5. Detection of the signal and analysis. 6. Display of signal. 7. Movement of part through the coil& assembly required for the same.

TYPES OF COILS USED FOR EDDY CURRENT INSPECTION (a)Probe type coil : Inspection of cracks in a flat plate. (b) U-shape Coil : For detection of laminar flaw in a flat surface (c) Encircling coil: For detecting defects parallel to coil axis in a bar or tube. (d) Bobbin coil : For internal flawsin a tube, which are parallel to axis of coil.

(e) Multiple coil: Used as absolute coil arrangement and differential coil arrangements variation in cross sections

TYPES OF EDDY CURRENT INSTRUMENTS A. A simple arrangement in which voltage across the coil is measured. B. Typical impedance bridge- here inspection coil is in one leg and balancing impedance in other leg. C. Impedance bridge with a dual coil other coil is identical inspection coil. D.Impedance with dual coil and a reference sample in the second coil.

E. Induction bridge probe- It consists of transmitter coil and two detector coils wound in opposite direction are near the object act as inspection coil and top one as reference coil. This eliminates the effect of transmitter coil and allows the detector coil to pick up the signal from the part being inspected.

INSPECTION OF TUBES UPTO 3 DIAMETER System consists of saturating coil d.c. current flow, energising coil with a.c current of 1 KHz frequency and a detector coil which is nearest to the surface being inspected inside diameter of detector coil is 3/8 more than outside diameter of the pipe. Inspection can be done at speeds of 100ft/ minutes or more. Conveying system consists of V-groove rolls and speed can vary to 10%.

INSPECTION OF TUBES MORE THAN 3 INCH DIAMETER Multiple probe is used mounted on a wear resistant shoe which is pressed against the surface of tube . Each probe is having independent electrical circuit and are mechanically separated. These probes are 2 long and square. These probes cover the whole circumference and over lapping is provided. Signal from these probes is fed to separate display device. It gives higher sensitivity and helps in localizing the discontinuity position within a sector.

Setup and coil arrangement for eddy-current inspection of longitudinal weld in ferromagnetic welded tubing

TRANSMISSION METHOD:

c. Exciting coil inside and receiving coil outside. Sensitive to both inside & outside surface defects and more sensitive to outside defect. Used for inspection six finned tubes. d. Exciting coil outside & receiving coil inside More sensitive to inner surface defects. Used for inspection of six finned tubes