AE Barkhausen Techniques

Barkhausen Effect
The Barkhausen effect refers to the
sudden change in size of ferromagnetic
domains that occur during
magnetization or demagnetization.
During magnetization, favorably
oriented domains develop at the cost of
less favorably oriented domains. These
two factors result in minute jumps of
magnetization when a ferromagnetic
sample (e.g. iron) is exposed to an
increasing magnetic field (see figure).
Domain wall motion itself is determined
by many factors like microstructure,
grain boundaries, inclusions, and stress and strain. By the same token, the
Barkhausen effect is too a function of stress and strain.

Barkhausen Noise
Barkhausen noise can be heard if a coil of wire is wrapped around the
sample undergoing magnetization. Abrupt movements in the magnetic field
produce spiking current pulses in the coil. When amplified, the clicks can
be compared to Rice Krispies or the crumbling a candy wrapper. The
amount of Barkhausen noise is influenced by material imperfections and
dislocations and is likewise dependent on the mechanical properties of a
material. Currently, materials exposed to high energy particles (nuclear
reactors) or cyclic mechanical stresses (pipelines) are available for
nondestructive evaluation using Barkhausen noise, one of the many
branches of AE testing.