Magnetic Testing (MT) of Welds 1 General Requirements

1.1. Magnetic Testing (MT) is considered the most reliable method of detecting any surface breaking cracks in ferromagnetic welds or in the adjacent material. 1.2. Finely divided magnetic particles are applied either as powders or suspensions to the magnetised surface of the component. Particles are attracted to flux leakages at surface defects and form visible indications which may be viewed directly or by ultraviolet illumination when fluorescent magnetic particles are used. 1.3. Testing is to be applied by qualified personnel in accordance with an approved procedure, requirements for which are the appropriate Rules and stated in Regulations. . See:

LR - Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials (Rules for Materials), requirements for manufacture

Ch 1, 5 General

2 Pre-Test Preparation 2.1 Surface Preparation

(a). Testing can be carried out in the as-welded condition. The surface to be examined, and adjacent areas within 50 mm of thetoes, shall be free from dirt, grease, lint, scale, welding flux and spatter, oil and other extraneous material that weld could interfere with the examination. (b). Cleaning may be accomplished by using detergents, organic solvents, paint removers, wire brushing, grinding, sand or gri t blasting . (c). If coatings are left on the weld in the area of interest their total thickness shall not exceed 50 microns.

3 Testing Equipment 3.1 Field Strength Indicators

(a). Field strength indicators are available to demonstrate the adequacy of current flow techniques. Devices such as Berthol d penetrameters or Burmah Castrol strips contain simulated cracks. When these are placed on the surface of the magnetized magnetic particles will be attracted if the field strength is component adequate. (b). The devices are not satisfactory for use with yokes or other magnetic flow techniques due to the presence of airborne flux. If these techniques, the flux indicators only indicate the presence and direction of the magnetic used with fi eld.

4 Test Method 4.1 Magnetisation Techniques

(a). The continuous method of magnetisation using one of the techniques described below is to be appl ied. With this method themedium (see below) is applied whilst the area under examination is magnetised. It is necessary to inspection maintain magnetisation for a few seconds after magnetic inks have ceased to flow. Since crack alignment has a significant influence on it is usually necessary to inspect each zone twice with magnetic fields in mutuall y perpendi cular detectability directions.

4.2 Magnetic Flow Method

(a). The magnetic flow method uses the magnetic field generated by either electro-magnetic yokes, current carrying cable or, under certain circumstances, permanent magnets. The magnetic flow method has the advantage that the surface of the component is not damaged by the contact burns that occur with current flow methods.

4.3 Electro-Magnetic Yoke - Alternating Current (AC)

(a). The Alternating Current (AC) electro-magnetic yoke is the preferred method of testing on flat surfaces. The magnetic field between the two poles of the yoke will detect surface breaking cracks that lie across the induced flux. The performance of a by lifting power. The lifting power of the Alternating Current (AC) electro-magnet shall be at least 4.5 yoke is assessed kg at spacing to be used (maximum of 30 cm). Each foot shall have a minimum contact area of 625 pole the mm

4.4 Direct Current (DC) Yoke and Permanent Magnet

(a). The Direct Current (DC) yoke and permanent magnet techniques are considered inferior to the other methods for the of surface defects particularly in thicker materials and are only to be used i f the other methods are impractical. detection These techniques become less effective in detecting surface breaking indications in thicknesses exceeding 6 mm. (b). The required lifting power for these yokes is to be at least 18.0 kg at the pole spacing to be used (maximum of 30 cm).

4.5 Flexible Cable Technique

(a). The flexible cable technique may be used to detect circumferential defects in pipe welds and can also be used for inspections of the tapered sections of tailshafts. With the flexible cable technique a cable is wrapped around the component to be inspected preferably with at least two turns one on either side of the inspection zone. The current required is typically amps Alternation Current (AC) which will give an inspection zone 200 mm in width between the two coils. hundred several If only a single coil is used the same current would result in an inspection zone only 25 mm in width.

4.6 Current Flow Technique

(a). With the current flow technique two or more electrical contacts are used so that a current travels through the component. flux wi ll detect cracks lying approximately in the same direction as the current flow. The electrical contacts The induced may be either clamps, pads or prod tips. The contacts are to be made of steel to avoid contamination and both contact surfaces are clean so that arcing is reduced. It is necessary to remove paint at contact be to points. (b). The current flow technique can only be used when contact burns are acceptable. Burns can be minimised by ensuring that clean and that contact is made before the current is switched on. However, some local damage is surfaces are inevitable. The current flow technique is never to be used on critical areas of machined components as the damage caused by contact burns lead to subsequent can failure. (c). The current required for prod inspections of welds is typically 100 amps per 25 mm of prod spacing. Ei ther Alternati(AC) or Direct Current (DC) may be used, Alternating Current (AC) being regarded as more sensitive for Current ng surface breaking defects. (d). In some ship construction yards a multi-directional technique is used for the examination of welded block by energizing as high amperage circuits one at a time in rapid succession. The effect of these rapidly alternating many as three magnetizingto produce an overall magnetisation of the part in multiple currents is directions.

4.7 Inspection Media

(a). Finely divided magnetic particles applied to magnetized components will be attracted to flux leakages caused by cracks. can be applied in the form of dry powders or as suspensions in either water or paraffin. Particles may be Particles `visible with the background or they may be fluorescent in which case Ultra Violet (UV) illumination will be required. contrast to Where particles are applied a thin white contrast lacquer may be sprayed onto the background. Paraffin based inks, visible or water where corrosion is not a problem, are generally preferred to powders because a more even coverage based inks can be obtained . (b). Powders have advantages when post cleaning is a consideration and also when a component is at temperature as may be the case with a weld repair excavation. (c). Concentration of inks is to be controlled by regular checks, particularly if they are mixed by the Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) company, rather than supplied in aerosol form by a Manufacturer (ink supplied as aerosols from the Manufacturer usually to a national standard). Typical specifications will require concentration of 1.2 to 3.5 per cent by volume for conform visible inks0.3 per cent for fluorescent inks. These concentrations are measured by allowing the contents of a 100 ml and 0.1 to sample of settle in a tapered graduated the ink to flask. (d). The wet magnetic particle testing method is generally considered more sensitive than the dry powder method because the provides the particles with more mobility, and makes it possible for smaller particles to be used, since suspension surface dust to surface contamination is reduced or eliminated. The wet method also makes it easy to apply the and adherence particles to a relatively large uniformly area.

5 Viewing Conditions, Interpretation and Evaluation 5.1 Viewing Conditions

(a). Good daylight viewing is adequate, provided the illumination is even, and care has been taken to avoid excessive reflected glare. Artificial light may also be used. The minimum intensity of light at the surface to be inspected is 500 lux (depending on the being used others standards may have a higher requirement ASME standard, for example, requires a standard minimum of 1000 lux). This can be achieved by either a fluorescent tube of 80 W at a distance of 1 m, or a tungsten filament pearl lampW at a distance of 0.2 100 of m. (b). When using fluorescent inks and powders the black light intensity shall not be less than 1000 W/cm of 20 lighting lux.
2

with background

6 Acceptance Criteria
6.1. Acceptance criteria for welds are shown in the appropriate Rules and Regulations. . See:

LR - Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials (Rules for Materials), criteria for visual testing, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant Acceptance testing

Ch 13, 13.2.4

2,

Table

Note:

Lloyds Register is prepared to accept other international and nationally recognised standards relating to constructi on, welding and acceptance criteria, providing they meet these minimum requirements. Where it is intended to utilise such standards the acceptance of same are to be agreed with Lloyds Register prior to the commencement of construction.

6.2. The acceptance levels for approval testing of welders are specified in the appropriate Rules and Regulations. . See:

LR - Rules for Materials), destructive (NDE) LR - Rules for Materials), Non-destructive alloys

the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials (Rules for examination the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials (Rules for examination acceptance limits for aluminium

Ch 12, 2.5 Ch 12, 12.4.1 4,

- NonTable -

7 Post-Test Cleaning and Protection 7.1 Cleaning

(a). All trace of contrast paint and detection media are to be removed after testing if subsequent protective coati ngs are to be applied .

7.2 Demagnetisation
(a). Some magnetising methods, particularly the Direct Current (DC) current flow method, may cause the component to retain magnetism after the removal of the magnetising force. In such cases, the component is to be demagnetised using a suitable as stated in the inspection procedure. This can be verified using a Gauss meter, or other sui table method, devices. (b). During normal operations, it is not expected that welds will have residual magnetism when using the Alternating Current (AC) yolk method.