Magnetic Particle Testing performed by North Country NDT is a cost efficient process of non-destructive testing (NDT) of ferromagnetic material. Ferromagnetic is defined by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME ) as “a term applied to materials that can be magnetized or strongly attracted by a magnetic field.” Magnetic Particle Testing primarily checks for surface defects and discontinuities but it can also reveal defects and discontinuities slightly below the surface.

Examples of ASME Code-Required Inspections

The ASME codes of construction often recommend magnetic particle examination or dye penetrant examination to detect the possibility of surface defects. If material is nonmagnetic, the only choice offered up by the ASME is dye penetrant examination. However, if material is ferromagnetic, then magnetic particle testing can be used. Some of the most typical examples of ASME Code-required inspections include, but are not limited to:

• Castings for surface defects
• Plates for laminations in corner joints when the edge of one plate is exposed and not fused into the weld joint
• Head spin hole plug welds
• Weld metal build-up on plates
• Areas where defects have been removed before weld repair
• Internal and external surfaces of boiler and pressure vessels
• Vessels in liquid ammonia service
• Components subjected to fire damage
• Locomotive and historical boilers
• Yankee dryers
• Cargo tanks
• Vessels in LP gas service
• Weld repairs and alterations to pressure-retaining items