Demagnetization                                               https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagPa...
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                                                                                              Introduction to
                                                                                              Magnetic Particle
                                       Demagnetization                                        Inspection
         After conducting a magnetic particle inspection, it is usually necessary to
                                                                                              Introduction
         demagnetize the component. Remanent magnetic fields can:
                                                                                              Introduction
                  affect machining by causing cuttings to cling to a component.               Basic Principles
                  interfere with electronic equipment such as a compass.                      History of MPI
                  create a condition known as "arc blow" in the welding process. Arc
                                                                                      Physics
                  blow may cause the weld arc to wonder or filler metal to be repelled
                                                                                      Magnetism
                  from the weld.
                                                                                      Magnetic Mat'ls
                  cause abrasive particles to cling to bearing or faying surfaces and
                                                                                      Magnetic Domains
                  increase wear.
                                                                                      Magnetic Fields
         Removal of a field may be accomplished in several ways. This random          Electromag. Fields
         orientation of the magnetic domains can be achieved most effectively by      Field From a Coil
         heating the material above its curie temperature. The curie temperature for Mag Properties
                                                                                      Hysteresis Loop
         a low carbon steel is 770oC or 1390oF. When steel is heated above its
                                                                                      Permeability
         curie temperature, it will become austenitic and loses its magnetic
                                                                                      Field Orientation
         properties. When it is cooled back down, it will go through a reverse
                                                                                      Magnetization of
         transformation and will contain no residual magnetic field. The material
                                                                                      Mat'ls
         should also be placed with it long axis in an east-west orientation to avoid
                                                                                      Magnetizing Current
         any influence of the Earth's magnetic field.
                                                                                      Longitudinal Mag
         It is often inconvenient to heat a                                           Fields
         material above its curie temperature to                                      Circular Mag Fields
         demagnetize it, so another method that                                       Demagnetization
         returns the material to a nearly                                             Measuring Mag
         unmagnetized state is commonly used.                                         Fields
         Subjecting the component to a
                                                                                              Equipment &
         reversing and decreasing magnetic
         field will return the dipoles to a nearly                                            Materials
         random orientation throughout the                                                    Portable Equipment
         material. This can be accomplished by                                                Stationary
         pulling a component out and away                                                     Equipment
         from a coil with AC passing through it.                                              Multidirectional
         The same can also be accomplished                                                    Equipment
         using an electromagnetic yoke with AC                                                Lights
         selected. Also, many stationary                                                      Field Strength
         magnetic particle inspection units come with a demagnetization feature               Indicators
         that slowly reduces the AC in a coil in which the component is placed.               Magnetic Particles
                                                                                              Suspension Liquids
         A field meter is often used to verify that the residual flux has been
         removed from a component. Industry standards usually require that the     Testing Practices
         magnetic flux be reduced to less than 3 gauss after completing a magnetic Dry Particles
         particle inspection.                                                      Wet Suspension
                                                                                   Magnetic Rubber
                                                                                   Continuous &
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Demagnetization                                       https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagPa...
                                                                                      Residual Mag
                                                                                      Field Direction &
                                                                                      Intensity
                                                                                      L/D Ratio
                                                                                      Process Control
                                                                                      Particle
                                                                                      Concentration
                                                                                      Suspension
                                                                                      Contamination
                                                                                      Electrical System
                                                                                      Lighting
                                                                                      Eye Considerations
                                                                                      Example
                                                                                      Indications
                                                                                      Visible Dry Powder
                                                                                      Fluorescent Wet
                                                                                      Quizzes
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         Partial support for this work was provided by the NSF-ATE (Advanced Technological
         Education) program through grant #DUE 0101709. Opinions expressed are those of the
         authors and not necessarily those of the National Science Foundation.
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