Magnetic Particle Testing

Non-Destructive Testing and

Evaluation Lab

Title

Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

Magnetic Particle Examination Technique

Procedure for continuous yoke, dry, visible particles
British Standard 7777

Prepared By
Reviewed By
Approved By

Quality Manager
Fayyaz Ahmed
Technical Manager
Amir Sajjad
Lab Manager
ABCXYZ

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Magnetic Particle Testing

Non-Destructive Testing and

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

SCOPE:

1.1

This general magnetic particle examination technique procedure

contains the requirements of BS6072:1981 of the British
Standard Institution and is to be used with the procedure for the
applicable referencing Code or Standard.

1.2

This examination method shall be used to inspect the surface of

ferromagnetic materials. If the configuration of the surface does
not permit this method, use a liquid penetrant examination
method.

REFERENCE:

2.1

British Standard Institution, BS7777:Part 2:1993

2.2

British Standard Institution, BS6072:1981

EQUIPMENT:

3.1

AC or AC/HWDC electromagnetic yokes.

3.2

Ten (10) pound (4.6 Kg) test plate for AC yokes and/or forty (40)
pound (18.2 Kg) test plate for HWDC yokes.

3.3

Hand-operated powder bulb or air-operated powder gun.

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

3.4

Solvent cleaners such as Dubl-Chek DR-60, Isopropyl alcohol, or

equal.

3.5

Dry particles used shall be of a color that provides adequate

contrast with the background of the surface being examined.
3.5.1

Magnaflux No. 1 gray, No. 3A black or No. 8A red.

3.5.2

Parker Research No. GP-5 gray, No. BP-7 black, or No. RP6 red.

3.5.3

Hoeganaes Corp., Ancor MH-100 gray or Ancolor A-RX

red.

3.5.4

White Line No. MP-1 White (Grey) or MP-2 red.

3.5.5

Tiede 61101 black, 61102 gray, 61103 yellow or 61104

red.

3.5.6

Econospect M-28R5 red, M-28G5 grey.

3.6

Wire brushes and/or grinding wheels.

3.7

Clean rags or cloth.

3.8

Non-Aqueous (solvent base) liquid penetrant developer for

optional use as a white background for improved contrast.

3.9

White acrylic or enamel paint for contrast enhancement.

PROCEDURE:
4.1

Prepare, clean and dry the surface to be examined and any

adjacent area within one (1) inch (25mm).

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Magnetic Particle Testing

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

4.1.1

Remove surface irregularities and materials such as sand,

paint, loose rust and loose scale from the surfaces to be
examined. As-welded, as-cast, as-rolled and as-forged
conditions are satisfactory.

4.1.2

Remove oil and grease by wiping with rags using light

applications of solvent cleaner.

4.1.3

If it is desired to improve the contrast between the dry

particles and the unpainted background of the surface to
be examined, apply a thin coating of non-aqueous
(solvent based) liquid penetrant developer or a thin coat
of white acrylic or enamel paint.

NOTE:

Surface Contrast Enhancement

When coatings are applied temporarily to uncoated

surfaces only in amounts sufficient to enhance particle
contrast, it must be demonstrated that indications can
be detected through the enhancement coating.

4.2

As necessary, lay out a grid pattern to ensure complete

coverage.

4.3

Provide adequate lighting for this examination. For example,

daylight or illumination from a standard 3 volt (2 D cells)
flashlight is sufficient.

4.4

Ensure the temperature of the surface to be examined does not

exceed 600oF (316oC).

4.5

Prior to use each shift and again upon completion of the

examination or the end of the shift, check the lifting power of
the yoke by lifting a 10 pound (4.6 Kg) test plate for an AC
electromagnetic yoke or a 40 pound (18.2 Kg) test plate for a
HWDC electromagnetic yoke at the maximum pole spacing at
which they are being used. Any time the yoke fails to lift the

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Magnetic Particle Testing

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

required weight, the areas examined since the last satisfactory

check shall be re-examined with a yoke that meets this
requirement.

5.0

4.6

Place the yoke poles on the examination surface. Turn ON

current.

4.7

Apply powder by lightly dusting a small quantity over the

surface being examined. Remove the excess with a gentle air
stream. Control the air stream so that it does not disturb or
remove lightly held patterns.

4.8

Observe particle pattern for indications of discontinuities.

4.9

After inspection is complete, turn OFF current.

4.10

Perform a second examination of the same area, per 4.6 through

4.9, with the yoke poles positioned at approximately a right
angle to the position of the yoke poles during the first
examination.

4.11

Re-position yoke poles for examination of the next area.

Overlap sufficiently to assure 100% coverage of the area
requiring examination.

4.12

Demagnetization - None required.

EVALUATION OF INDICATIONS:
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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

5.1

All relevant indications shall be evaluated in terms of the

Acceptance Criteria.

5.2

Non-relevant Indications - Any indication which is believed to be

non-relevant shall be regarded as a defect and shall be reexamined to verify whether or not actual defects are present.
Surface conditioning may precede the re-examination. Nonrelevant indications which would mask indications of defects
are unacceptable.

5.3

Relevant indications are those which result from mechanical

discontinuities and which produce indications whose major
dimensions are greater than 1.6mm (1/16 inch).

5.4

Linear indications are those indications in which the length is

more than three (3) times the width.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

All linear indications are unacceptable:

7.0

REPAIRS:

7.1

When an imperfection is repaired by chipping or grinding and

subsequent repair by welding is not required, the excavated
area shall be blended into the surrounding surface so as to
avoid sharp notches, crevices or corners.

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7.2

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

When an imperfection is to be repaired by welding, after the

imperfection is thought to have been removed and prior to
making weld repairs, the area shall be examined by the
applicable steps in the Procedure section of the Technique
Procedure to ensure it has been removed or reduced to an
acceptably sized imperfection.

RE-EXAMINATION OF REPAIR AREAS:

Repaired areas shall be re-examined by the liquid penetrant method

and by all other methods of examination that were originally required
for the affected area, except that, when the depth of repair is less
than the radiographic sensitivity required, re-radiography may be
omitted.

9.0

POST CLEANING:

After examination, clean the surface on which the penetrant and

developer were applied using solvent cleaner and/or water and clean
rags.

10.0 DOCUMENTATION:

10.1 Record results on a Liquid Penetrant Examination Report (See

Typical Sample on page 6).

10.2 Record:

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Magnetic Particle Testing

Non-Destructive Testing and

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Document No:
NDTEL/SOPMTBS77EYd
Rev. No. 00

10.2.1

All unacceptable imperfections.

10.2.2

Repair and results of re-examinations.

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