Metal Magnetic Memory Testing Technique for Typical Defects in Pressure Vessels and Pipelines

Abstract

Metal magnetic memory technique has been extensively applied in different fields due to its unique advantages of time-saving, low cost, and high efficiency. However, very limited research has been carried out on studying the characteristics of metal magnetic memory signals of different defects except crack, and also the effect of orientation angle between testing direction and defect on magnetic memory signals. To promote study in this area, the magnetic memory signals of typical defects (such as crack, slag inclusion) are investigated as well as hydrogen-induced cracking. In addition, the characteristics of magnetic memory signals when measured with different angle between testing direction and defects were obtained. The results indicate that the metal magnetic memory technique is a promising method to detect typical defects of welding and also hydrogen-induced cracking. Moreover, the technique has high sensitivity on defects no matter the angle between testing direction and defect. However, further research is needed because it can only find the possible location of defects but cannot quantitatively describe the defect.