2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ

Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

Procedure
NUMBER:
TITLE:

DOC-080813

REV:

MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION WELDS

APPLICABLE CODES:

DNV Certification Note 2.7-1

CONTENTS
1. SCOPE

10. REPORTING

2. PERSONNEL

11. RETENTION OF RECORDS

3. SAFETY

12. DEMAGNETIZATION

4. EXTENT OF EXAMINATION

13. REFERENCE

5. SURFACE CONDITIONS
6. PART IDENTIFICATION
7. EQUIPMENT
8. TECHNIQUES
9. ACCEPTANCE STANDARD
RECORD OF REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS
DATE

SECTION
PAGE

Written
By: A. Bailey

CHANGE

Approved By: G Herdman

REV.

Customer approved by:

ASNT Level 3 72865

PCN Level 3
201890

PCN Level2 308841

NDT Technician

BRIDGES NDT LTD

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DATE: 06/05/15

DATE: 06/05/15

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APPROVED
BY

DATE:

2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

1.0

SCOPE

This procedure is applicable for magnetic particle inspection of finished welds using electromagnetic A.C.
yokes and a colour contrast technique. It may also be applied for intermediate inspections and the MT-test of
weld-grooves to DNV Certification Note 2.7-1 Offshore Freight Containers for offshore containers.

2.0

PERSONNEL

Unless otherwise specified by The client, Magnetic Particle Inspection personnel applying this
procedure shall be familiar, with this procedure, all other referenced documents and hold current
qualifications to the relevant Level, Sector & Category for the item being inspected in accordance with
BS EN ISO 9712 (PCN or equivalent). Only operators trained and certified to BS EN ISO 9712 level 2
shall carry out Magnetic Particle inspection. A certified level 3 shall verify all techniques. Copies of
operator certification will be given to the Client.
Technicians shall be capable of reading the letter sizes equivalent to those defined as Jaeger 1 at a
distance of 30cm and shall be tested for colour blindness particularly in the colours or shades to be
used in subsequent testing. This shall be carried out annually and a record of the tests shall be
maintained on file.

3.0

SAFETY

Personnel applying this procedure shall work in accordance with company procedures and the COSHH
regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).
Some of the materials used in magnetic particle inspection may be toxic; therefore they must be used in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. There are assessment sheets available from the Bridges
NDT office. These sheets, as defined by the COSHH Regulations, detail the PPE (personal protective
equipment) required, precautions to be taken while using consumables and action to be taken if inhalation,
ingestion or splashing on to eyes occur.
Where work is undertaken in confined spaces, additional company and client requirements may be imposed.
MPI consumables should be used in well-ventilated areas and kept away from sources of heat, sparks or
naked flames.
Flammable inks, used in conjunction with high currents, can be a fire hazard and so care should be taken to
reduce the risk of sparks when using such equipment.
Electrical safety is also a consideration when using magnetising equipment, therefore all equipment shall be in
good order and fully insulated. Where required, mains supply shall be protected by an ELCB (Earth Leakage
Circuit Breaker).
All electrical equipment shall be inspected for obvious defects prior to any inspection. Halogen lamps should
be used with caution when carrying out Magnetic Particle inspection, due to the flammable nature of the
consumable materials. The properties of the consumable materials create two significant problems in this
regard:
1.The low flash point of such materials mean that arcing from a broken bulb,
exposed wire or damaged fitting could result in ignition.
2.The auto ignition temperatures of the consumable material can be within the
temperature range reached by the bare bulb of halogen type light, given the
right conditions, this could result in ignition.

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2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

4.0

EXTENT OF EXAMINATION

The specified percentages refer to the total length of weld for each structural assembly in question.
Structural welds shall be examined as stipulated in columns I and II in Table 5-1 after production testing.
Inspections as stipulated in columns III and IV or other inspections will be decided by the DNV surveyor in
each case.

Category of Member

Primary Structure:
Essential/Non- Redundant
Primary Structure:
Non-essential
Secondary structure

Table 5-1 NDE of structural welds

I
II
Visual Examination
Magnetic Particle
Examination
100%
100%

III
Ultrasonic Examination

100%

20%

100% Pad eyes

20% all others
20%

100%

SPOT4

SPOT4

1) Dye penetrant examination shall be used where magnetic particle examination is not possible.
2) Depending on material thickness and accessibility for UT equipment
3) This amount of NDE need not be applied to welds between fork pockets and floor plates or intermediate structure between these. The extent of
NDE on these welds will be decided by the DNV surveyor in each case.
4) Spot means random examination to the discretion of the surveyor

5.0

SURFACE CONDITIONS

The surface to be examined shall be free from grease, oil, rust, scale, slag and adhering or embedded grit,
sand or other extraneous materials that may interfere with the interpretation of the test. Cleaning by
mechanical means, i.e. grinding shall have the client's prior approval.
Welded surfaces from which slag has been removed may be tested without dressing provided that the surface
contour will not inhibit the satisfactory interpretation of the examination. It may be necessary to improve the
surface condition e.g. by abrasive paper or local grinding to permit accurate interpretation of indications.
Painted parts may be tested providing the paint forms a thin, coherent coating, tightly adhering to the surface
and normally not thicker than 50 (microns). For current flow tests on painted surfaces, the paint shall be
removed from the contact areas of the item.
Where required a thin, uniform, white contrast aid paint may be applied to the item prior to testing. The total
thickness of paint, including contrast coatings, shall not exceed 50 .

Note. Where any doubt exists, the paint thickness shall be established using an Elcometer (or
other suitable device) or shall be removed prior to testing.
6.0

PART IDENTIFICATION

When specified in the order the parts examined shall be individually marked with low stress stamp
identification. The stamp location shall be an area that is subject to low stress and agreed by the customer.

7.0 EQUIPMENT
Yoke shall be used only with the approval of customer for the inspection of restricted areas.
The operator shall ensure that all equipment used is in a state of calibration / good state of repair.
7.1 AC Electromagnetic Yoke
All AC Yokes shall under go a lift test before taken on site. The yoke shall be capable of lifting a 4.5Kg (10Ib)
test block.

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2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

7.2 Permanent Magnets and DC yokes

Use of permanent magnets is not permitted. DC yokes shall undergo a lift test before taken on site. The
yokes shall be capable of lifting an 18Kg (41lb) test block.

7.3

INKS, POWDERS AND CONTRAST AIDS

7.3.1 Detecting Media

Magnetic particle flaw detection inks and powders shall comply with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9934 - 2
or the standard referenced on the relevant technique sheet.
Ink Solid Concentrations shall be:
Non-Fluorescent Inks:

not less than 1.25% by volume not greater than 3.5% by volume

Wet Inks shall be water or paraffin based concentrate and will be tested for solid content prior to use. Inks
concentrates from different containers shall not be mixed unless they are of the same type, specification and
manufacturer.
Magnetic inks shall be replaced when they become discoloured or contaminated by any foreign substance to
the extent that proper distribution and concentration of the suspension or the definition of the magnetic
particle indications appear to be affected.
Dry Powders when used shall have an appropriate contrasting colour to the component under test and the
temperature of the test surface shall not exceed the maximum temperature specified by the powder
manufacturer. The precise types of detecting media and/or paint to be used shall be detailed on the relevant
technique sheet.
7.3.2 Contrast Aids
Contrast aids are used in conjunction with black inks and usually take the form of white contrast paints or
lacquers. The type to be used shall comply with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9934 Part 2 or standard
referenced on the technique. The total thickness of contrast aid including any other paint coatings shall not
exceed 50 microns.
7.3.3 Field/Flux Indicators
Prior to commencing a test, a magnetic flux indicator shall be placed in intimate contact with the test surface
and used to check the adequacy of the ink or powder and that the direction and intensity of the applied
magnetic field is adequate. Three firm lines on the flux indicator indicates adequate flux levels.
The type of indicator to be used shall be detailed on the relevant technique sheet, but where no requirement is
specified, a Burmah/Castrol Strip - Type 1 (Brass finish) shall be used.
7.3..4 Viewing
Viewing shall be carried out after each magnetisation and application of detecting medium.
For non-fluorescent inks and powders, this shall be carried out under an even illumination of not less than
500 Lux in daylight or artificial light. Verification of adequate light intensity levels may be carried out by use
of a 'White Light' meter or by reference table 1.
Table 1 shows the results of tests carried out with various sizes of bulbs and can be used as a guide:

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2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

Table 1
White Light Output from Portable Light Sources
Wattage of Bulb

LUX

Maximum Distance

500 Watt Halogen

100 Watt Halogen
100 Watt Halogen
100 Watt Pearl
80 Watt Pearl
60 Watt Pearl

4000
1100
520
500
520
500

1000 mm
580 mm
975 mm
580 mm
460 mm
350 mm

When using halogen light, ensure that the wattage of the filament is labelled on the lamps casing.
Whenever the filament is replaced, the label should also be replaced to show the correct rating of filament.
These types of lamps give excellent light output, but they should not be used in close proximity to flammable
detecting media.

8.0 TECHNIQUES
8.1 General Requirements
Magnetic particle flaw detection shall be carried out at levels of magnetic flux density equal to, or greater than
3mT at the surface of the component. For most engineering steels the above criterion can be
satisfied at ambient temperatures, with an applied tangential field strength of between 2.4 and 6 kA/m.
The magnetic field strength values specified shall apply to all tests, and unless otherwise stated on the
relevant technique sheet, the 'Continuous Method' shall be used - i.e. the magnetic ink or powder shall be
applied immediately prior to and during magnetisation.
Verification of adequate flux density and direction shall be carried out using a field indicator as detailed in
Section 7.3.3
The coverage of each individual magnetising shot shall be detailed in the relevant technique sheet see
appendix 1. The inspection area shall be examined using successive overlapping shots, until full coverage
has been achieved. When testing welds the examination shall include an area, of at least 25mm each side of
the weld toe, to encompass the heat-affected zone.
The inspection area shall be re-examined with the direction of the magnetic field set perpendicular to the
direction used originally to ensure that all flaws are detected regardless of orientation.
Note: Coverage shall be achieved by using one technique in two perpendicular directions or two techniques
each producing a field direction perpendicular to the other.

8.2 Interpretation of Indications

True indications shall be classified into two groups - 'Relevant' or 'Non-relevant'.

Relevant indications may be linear or non-linear (rounded). Linear indications are those indications
where the length is more than three times the width.

Non-linear or rounded indications are those indications where the length is equal to or less than three
times the width.

Non-relevant indications are caused by magnetic forces, but are not considered to be detrimental to the

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2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139

fitness-for-purpose of the component. Typically, these could be due to effects such as the boundary
between materials of different magnetic permeability, magnetic writing, changes in section, splines, etc.

Non-relevant indications shall be identified and eliminated, but where any doubt exists regarding the
interpretation of such indications, they shall be classified as 'relevant' as described above.

Where practicable and with the clients consent, the relevance of the indications shall be established by
dressing the suspect area followed by re-examination.
All relevant indications shall be marked using a permanent marker, crayon or other suitable means not
detrimental to the component, for subsequent further evaluation or repair.
The acceptability of defects shall be dependent on the acceptance criteria specified in the work scope.

8.3 Technique Sheets

ACTEM shall apply this procedure in conjunction with the appropriate standard technique sheet/s which are
based on the requirements of BS EN 9934 and including BS EN 17638, BS EN 1369 & BS EN 10228
Where required, by ACTEM job specific technique sheets shall be compiled and issued to address any
differing parameters that may be applicable. These technique sheets shall overrule company standard
technique sheets and must be read in conjunction with this procedure.
Technique sheets shall be compiled and/or approved by personnel qualified to at least Level 2 in the
appropriate method, sector & category.
The technique shall supply the following information:
Client
Facility / Installation
Job number
Job Specific technique number
Components or material covered by technique
Operator qualification requirements
Standard on which technique is based, including the year of issue.
Acceptance criteria to be applied, including the year of issue.
Magnetising method
Magnetising equipment.
Ink type.
Carrier medium
Paint type, if applicable
Coverage attained
Type of flux/field strength indicator
Pull test intervals, if different from standard
Ink concentration requirements, if different from standard
Any other requirement of the client

9.0

ACCEPTANCE STANDARD

The quality of the weld shall be stated in the respective ITP. The acceptances standard shall be level 1
as per EN ISO 23278 table 1.

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2 Kilburn Drive, Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, Peterlee,

Co Durham SR8 4TQ
Phone: 0191 5180235
Fax: 0191 5861139
Acceptance levels are given in Table 1

Dimensions in mm
Acceptance level

Type of indication
1

Linear Indications l = length of indication

l 1.5

l 3

l 6

No-linear indications
d = major axis dimension

d2

d3

d4

Acceptance levels 2 and 3 may specified with a suffix X which denotes that all linear indications shall be assessed to level 1. However the
probability of detection of indications smaller than those denoted by the original acceptance level can be low.

10.0

REPORTING
All inspections shall be the subject of a written test report, which shall be issued on completion of the
examination on ACTEM-MPI Examination DOC-080813 Iss1 standard reports.
If another reporting format is required, i.e. the clients, it shall be as specified in the Work-scope and the
relevant report sheets shall be supplied to the Operator. To ensure the completeness of the report the
following information shall be included:
Areas of interest should be identified and recorded with respect to the given datum point in an unambiguous
manner so that they can subsequently be located at the worksite as well as on the image itself.
No statement or speculation should be made about the cause of any corrosion or damage; the report should
be factual. Opinions may be provided separately if appropriate. Comments relating to limitations of the test,
such as restrictions to coverage, or any other factors affecting the quality, or that may be relevant to
understanding of the examination, must be made.

11.0 RETENTION OF RECORDS

The certified operator shall maintain an up to date register of M.P.I. records carried out on a daily basis and
maintain a filing system for test reports, progress sheets and techniques used in this method. All test reports
shall be held for a minimum of 5 years. All reports are logged on computer.

12.0 DEMAGNETISATION
Demagnetisation is required on all parts after examination. The magnetometer will be used to verify a
maximum of three gauss residual magnetism remains in the part.

13.0

REFERENCE

BS EN ISO 9712: Non-destructive testing. Qualification and certification of NDT personnel

BS EN ISO 17638: Non-destructive testing of welds. Magnetic particle testing
BS EN ISO 23278: Non-destructive testing of welds. Magnetic particle testing of welds. Acceptance levels
BS EN 10228-1 Non-destructive testing of steel forgings Magnetic Particle Inspection
BS EN ISO 17635: Non-destructive testing of welds. General rules for metallic materials
BS EN ISO 3059: Non-destructive testing- Penetrant testing and Magnetic particle testing
Viewing conditions
BS EN 9934-1 Non-destructive testing- Magnetic Particle Inspection: General Principals.
BS EN 9934-2 Non-destructive testing Magnetic Particle Inspection: Detection media
BS EN 9934-3 Non-destructive testing Magnetic Particle Inspection: Equipment
DNV Certification Note 2.7-1 Offshore Freight Containers for offshore containers.
Other standards, which may be required, shall be detailed on a technique sheet without further
amendment to the text of the main procedure

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