Inspection technique selection

No single inspection technique is adequate for all types of materials and a single-technology system may only be
used for a narrow range of applications. Eddy Current (ET) is commonly used to inspect nonferrous materials;
Remote Field Testing (RFT) or Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) for carbon steel and others ferromagnetic materials;
Ultrasound (IRIS) may be used for accurate thickness measurements of either type of materials.
Each technique has its own strength and weakness and it is not always easy to select the appropriate one for a
specific application. The key is to understand the limitations of each technique and to use them for what they are
good. Very often, a combination of technique will give the most efficient inspection. The table below is a
guideline for your inspection technique selection. It does not give answer to everything and does not take into
account specific parameters that can affect your application. Every application is unique and your own experience
if often the best guideline to follow.

Applications Description ET RFT MFL IRIS Comment

Non ferromagnetic material

Generally thin tube made of - ET is the recommended choice for its
Condenser brass, aluminum brass, cupro- speed and its accuracy.
nickel or titanium.

Copper with low profile OD

- ET inspection with special probe to detect
Air fins.
Conditioner Common problem is circ. Crack circumferential crack. Those probes are
normally called AC probe.
and wear in the land area.

- ET is the recommended choice for speed

Non ferromagnetic material and accuracy.
Stainless steel, Cu/Ni - IRIS can be sometime used to confirm the
sizing of ID defect.

- ET is used only in thin tube (< 1.6mm)

with saturation probe.
Mildly ferromagnetic material
Heat - For thicker wall, it is better to use RFT or
Exchangers
Duplex steel, SS439, Seacure,
Monel
MFL.
- IRIS can be sometime used to confirm the
sizing of defects.

Ferromagnetic material
Carbon steel, Nickel. - RFT, MFL, and IRIS are good and most of
Common defect are pitting and the time complementary.
corrosions

- RFT is not efficient because the fins

Carbon steel tube with
disturb the remote field.
aluminum fins
- MFL is quick and sensitive but does not
Air Cooler Typical flaws are ID pitting and
OD wear close to the water
allow sizing.
box. - IRIS is often used to backup MFL, but has
difficulty with OD flaws.

- RFT is good for wear detection and can

easily pass the bend.
Carbon steel tube
- MFL is good only on straight boiler tube
Boiler Typical flaws are pitting, wear
and cracking at the tubesheet.
without swage.
- IRIS is good for wear and pits but has no
sensitivity in the bend.

- RFT is the only efficient technique

Carbon steel or cast iron pipes
Buried because it does not need cleaning and it
Pipes
Typical flaws are pitting and
general corrosion
can easily negotiate elbow. However, the
sensitivity to pitting is limited.

Document created by Marc Grenier Ing.