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ECT Inspection Technique: Theory and General Concepts

This document describes the theory and concepts behind eddy current testing (ECT) inspection techniques. ECT can be used to detect defects like pits, corrosion, erosion and cracks in nonferrous tubing. It uses multiple frequencies to better analyze flaws and their sizes. Skin depth effect means eddy current density decreases with depth from the surface. Formulas are provided to calculate skin depth and the frequency that creates a 90° phase shift between internal and external defects.

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Kvanan78
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70 views

ECT Inspection Technique: Theory and General Concepts

This document describes the theory and concepts behind eddy current testing (ECT) inspection techniques. ECT can be used to detect defects like pits, corrosion, erosion and cracks in nonferrous tubing. It uses multiple frequencies to better analyze flaws and their sizes. Skin depth effect means eddy current density decreases with depth from the surface. Formulas are provided to calculate skin depth and the frequency that creates a 90° phase shift between internal and external defects.

Uploaded by

Kvanan78
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ECT Inspection Technique

Theory and General Concepts


Characteristics of the technique
 Suitable for nonferrous tubing such as SS304/316,
brass, titanium, Inconel, copper, copper-nickel, etc.
 Can detect pits, corrosion, erosion, and axial
cracking.
 Uses multiple frequencies for better analysis and
flaw sizing.
 The probe needs a good fill factor to remain
sensitive (about 0.85 to 0.9).
 Probe centering is important for uniform sensitivity
and a reduced lift-off signal.
 Very fast technique, up to 2 m/s pulling speed.
General concept
 Alternating currents injected into a coil, create a magnetic
field.
 When this coil is placed over a conductive part, opposed
alternating currents are generated; these are eddy currents.
 Defects in the part disturb the path of the eddy currents.
This disturbance can be measured by the coil.
Principal behind tube testing
 Two coils are excited with an AC current, producing a
magnetic field around them.
 The magnetic field penetrates the tube material and
generates opposing AC currents in the material. These
currents are called Eddy Currents.
 Any defects, which change the eddy current flow, change
the impedance of the coils in the probe.
 These changes in the impedance of the coils are measured
and used to detect defects in the tube.
Magnetic field

Eddy current
Skin depth effect
Eddy current strength
 The eddy current density in the
material is not constant. 37% 100%
0
 The density is greatest at the
surface (near the coil) and 

Depth
declines as it penetrates the
material.
 This is called the skin depth
effect.
 The “standard depth of High frequency Low frequency
penetration” is the depth where High conductivity Low conductivity
High permeability Low permeability
the eddy current density is at
37% of its surface value.
 This standard depth of
penetration is affected by:
– Frequency
– Conductivity
– Permeability
Impedance plane
Air Sound Defect
 A coil in air has an material material
impedance, which results
from resistance and
reactance.
 If the coil moves closer to a Lift-off
conductive material, the
impedance of the coil Conductive material
changes (because of the
eddy currents) and follows
the Lift-off path. Air

L
Inductive reactance, X
 When the coil is over the
surface of the material, the
impedance stabilizes to its Crack
sound value.
 If the coil passes over a Lift-off
defect in the material, the Sound
impedance of the coil material
changes and follows the
Crack path. Resistance, R
Typical defect response
Support plate
Internal Shallow Deep
groove outside pit outside pit Hole

ABS DIF
Frequencies
 MultiView software automatically computes
the prime and its related frequencies. This
task is accomplished by the Setup Wizard.
The default frequency selection is:
– Prime frequency = F180
– Mixing frequency = F90
– Wall-thickness frequency = 1/2 F90 (or 1/4
F180)
– Flaw discrimination frequency = 1/8 F90 (or
1/16 F180)
Formulas
 Skin depth (in mm): 
– This formula is used to   50
determine the standard depth of f
penetration of the eddy current.
r
ρ  electric resistivit y (μΩcm)
f  frequency (Hz)
μ  relative p ermeabilit y
r


 F90 frequency (in kHz):
f 90  3 2
– This formula is used to
t
determine the frequency that
ρ  electric resistivit y (μΩcm)
creates 90°of phase shift
between ID and OD defect.
t  thickness (mm)

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