On the optimum applied field for magnetic particle inspection using direct current

Experimental measurements of leakage fields from cylindrical defects were obtained in a geometry which permitted simultaneous measurement of the magnetic induction of the material. The results obtained are compared with calculations using a nonlinear finite difference method. Both the experiments and the calculations indicate that the magnitude of the leakage field continues to grow nearly in proportion with the applied field well into the saturation region of the magnetic material. The implications for magnetic particle inspection are discussed.