Magnetic Particle Inspection

CryoHeat uses Magnetic Particle Inspection for a non-destructive testing process. Easily detecting surface and shallow subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their other alloys.

The process puts a magnetic field into the part. The part can be magnetized by direct or indirect magnetization. Direct magnetization occurs when the electric current is passed through the test object and a magnetic field is formed in the material. Indirect magnetization occurs when no electric current is passed through the test object, but a magnetic field is applied from an outside source. The magnetic lines of force are perpendicular to the direction of the electric current.

The presence of a surface or subsurface discontinuity in the material allows the magnetic flux to leak, this occurs because air cannot support as much magnetic field per unit volume as metals can. To identify a leak, ferrous particles are applied to a part. These are attracted to an area of flux leakage and form what is known as an indication, which is evaluated to determine its nature, cause, and course of action, if any.    Here is a transmission gear that has been used in racing.  Even with magnification, the gear looks perfectly fine. Although when the magnetic flux particle inspection has been applied to the gear with a magnetic charge, the stress fracture is easily seen.

Replacing this gear during the inspection is considerably less expensive than the catastrophic failure that would take place when the gear breaks during operation and possibly destroys the entire transition and or injuries to the Driver of the vehicle.   

We highly recommend this service for any high-stress parts that are ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their other alloys.

Testing is charged by an hourly rate with 15-minute intervals. One hour is our minimum. $109.96