Single-electromagnet levitation for density measurement and defect detection

Abstract

This paper presents a single-electromagnet levitation device to measure the densities and detect the internal defects of antimagnetic materials. The experimental device has an electromagnet in its lower part and a pure iron core in the upper part. When the electromagnet is activated, samples can be levitated stably in a paramagnetic solution. Compared with traditional magnetic levitation devices, the single-electromagnet levitation device is adjustable. Different currents, electromagnet shapes, and distances between the electromagnet and iron core are used in the experiment depending on the type of samples. The magnetic field formed by the electromagnet is strong. When the concentration of the MnCl2 aqueous solution is 3 mol/L, the measuring range of the single-electromagnet levitation device ranges from 1.301 to 2.308 g/cm3. However, with the same concentration of MnCl2 aqueous solution (3 mol/L), the measuring range of a magnetic levitation device built with permanent magnets is only from 1.15 to 1.50 g/cm3. The single-electromagnet levitation device has a large measuring range and can realize accurate density measurement and defect detection of high-density materials, such as glass and aluminum alloy.