Eddy Current Testing

What is Eddy Current ?

When an alternating current passes through a coil, a varying magnetic field occurs around the coil

What is Eddy Current ?

If a piece of conducting material (a metal) is taken close to the coil, circulating electric currents create in it such that the magnetic field associated with those currents oppose the magnetic field created by the coil. These circulating currents in the specimen are called Eddy Current

When eddy currents flow they generate their own magnetic field in opposite direction to the field from the sensor coil which creates it (Lenzs Law) The interaction of these fields reduces the field in the sensor and thus its inductance. Loss of energy due to heat generation adds a resistive component.

This complex change in impedance is measured by electronic circuitry and displayed on a meter or a cathode ray tube display After the instrument is balanced on a sample, any change in the properties of the sample (discontinuity) as it passes under the coil will be detected and displayed on the meter.

Eddy Current Intensity and Depth of Penetration Following parameters govern the intensity and depth of penetration of eddy currents: Frequency Conductivity Permeability

f : frequency in Hertz W: conductivity in m/;.mm2 Q: relative permeability

Test Equipment and Probes

Crack Detector

Testing Probes

Multifunction Flaw Detectors

Coating thickness Gauge

Aircraft wheel Scanner

Dual channel Flaw Detector

Proper interpretation of the display of an eddy current instrument enables detection, classification and sizing of a wide range of flaws and material properties.

Eddy currents offer following advantages

High sensitivity for microscopic flaws High inspection speed No surface preparation needed Easy to automate inspection processes No surface contact, no couplant, no radiation