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Chapter III
Eddy Current Inspection
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Chapter III Eddy Current Inspection

1. Scope
1.1 This procedure is applicable in measurement of electrical conductivity of
aluminum alloy.
1.2 This procedure is applicable in detection of surface and near surface
discontinuities in metal parts.

2. Reference
2.1 ASTM E215- 98 Standard practice for Standardizing Equipment for
Electromagnetic Examination of Seamless Aluminum-
Alloy Tube.
2.2 MIL-STD-1537C Electrical Conductivity Test for verification of heat
treatment of aluminum alloys, Eddy current methods.
2.3 ASTM-E-1004 Eddy current Measurements of Electrical Conductivity

3. Definitions
3.1 Volume resistivity (ρ)
Is a value of resistivity of a known volume of nonferrous metal expressed in
ohm (centimeters)2 per centimeter or simply ohm centimeters, where the area
is of uniform cross-section A in sq-cm and the resistance R in ohms is the
value for a known length L in cm of the area A, or expressed in equation form:

 = RA (ohm centimeters) @ 20°C (68°F)

L
3.2 Conductivity (σ)
Is the reciprocal of volume resistivity or 1/ρ. It is the relative value of
conductivity of any nonferrous metal, to the arbitrary value set for
commercially pure copper and is usually expressed in percent International
Annealed Copper Standard (percent IACS or %IACS), at 20°C by definition,
where copper = 100 %IACS.
3.3 Percent IACS (International Annealed copper Standard)
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Percent IACS is the percent value of the conductivity of a material compared

to the IACS standard value. The IACS standard is a commercially pure
copper rod one meter long with a uniform cross section of 1 mm 2 with
resistance of 1/58 (0.017241) ohms at 20°C. The conductivity of this standard
is considered to be 100 %IACS.
3.4 Eddy current instrument
An electrical measuring instrument that induces and responds to eddy
currents in metals through a probe. These currents are induced by a means
of time-varying electromagnetic fields (eddy current meter).
3.5 Probe
Many turns of fine wire usually wound on a ferrite or laminated iron core in
such a way as to produce a varying electromagnetic field when energized by
an alternating current, usually 60 kHz or above for conductivity
measurements
3.6 Standard depth of penetration (English unit)
δ = 26
(f μ σ)½
where:
δ = standard depth of penetration (inches)
f = operating frequency (Hertz)
µ = relative permeability (1.0 for magnetic materials)
σ = conductivity in % IACS
3.7 Lift off effect
The change in eddy current meter indication when the spacing between the
surface probe and the test object changes from an "in contact" position to a
position away from the surface of the test object. The resulting gap between
the probe and the object surface is filled with nonconductive air, coatings or
shims.
3.8 Edge effect
Effect on eddy current system output caused by proximity of an abrupt
change in part geometry. The effect can mask discontinuities in the affected
area of the specimen.

4. General Requirements
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4.1 Personnel Qualification

Personnel who are making accept or reject decisions described in this
procedure shall be qualified to level II or more in accordance with Quality
Procedure No. QA DOC–07.
4.2 Eddy Current Conductivity Testing

1) Equipments
Direct reading instruments that used for conductivity measurements this
procedure must be within ± 0.5 %IACS of the value being measured
a. Instrument sensitivity
Reading instruments shall have sensitivity such that changes of at
least 0.5 %IACS are clearly distinguishable over the conductivity
range of the aluminum alloys under test.
b. Instrument Accuracy
Reading instruments shall be capable of determining the conductivity
of aluminum alloys as a percentage of the IACS with an accuracy of
±1.0 % IACS or better through electrically non-conductive film and
coatings at least 0.003 inch (0.076 mm) thick.
2) Instrument Conductivity Standards
At least two instrument conductivity standards are required.
The high and low value instrument standards will have a minimum
difference of 10 % IACS. At least one standard will cover the 25 to 32 %
IACS range and one standard will cover the 38 to 62 % IACS range.

3) Calibration and Standardization

a. Standardization
Instruments shall be standardized before using as required by
following the manufacturer's instructions. Allow 20 minutes warm-up
time for all types except solid state which may take five minutes. Use
the instrument conductivity standards to calibrate the eddy current
instrument using the standards nearest to the conductivity range
being measured and adjust as required.

b. Standardization frequency
During continuous operation, calibration of the conductivity instrument
shall be conducted at 15 minutes intervals.
c. Lift-off effect
Lift off effect is determined by comparison of readings taken when
placing the probe on a bare standard followed by placing a 0.003 inch
(0.076 mm) thick non conducting flat shim between the probe and the
standard. The difference in the two readings shall not exceed 0.5
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%IACS.

4) Test Article
a. Surface
The areas to be tested shall be free of dirt, grease, oil or other
contaminants. The surface finish of the areas to be tested shall be
150 RHR maximum, RMS 165 maximum or less than a maximum
established by objective evidence, for instrument in use, that the
required accuracy is maintained.
b. Edge Effect
To insure readings are not distorted from edge effect, the specimen
area to which the eddy current instrument probe is applied shall be at
least as large as the outside diameter of the test probe or per
manufacturer's specifications. The coil shall be centered on all parts
whose dimensions approach this limitation.

4.3 Eddy Current Discontinuities Testing

1) Equipments
Selection of the eddy current equipment for a particular inspection
is at the discretion of the using facility provided that the following
are accomplished.
a. The inspection system shall consist of an instrument and one or
more test coils with an operating frequency suitable for
conducting the specified eddy current inspection and capable of
obtaining the desired information.
b. If equipment is designed for lift-off compensation, all test shall
be performed with the instrument in the balanced for lift-off
condition. Unless otherwise specified the system shall be
balanced for 0 to 3 mil lift off.
c. The sensitivity of the system shall be such that a repeatable
change in signal response of the magnitude specified here in
can be detected when the appropriate test coil encounters a
known specified natural or artificial discontinuity in a reference
standard.

1. The response to a natural crack or notch in the reference

standard shall not be less than 80 % of the full scale of any
video signaling device.

2. The response to the applicable diameter drilled hole shall not

be less than 40 % full scale deflection and the response from
the standard hole shall not be greater than from the minimum
size that must be detected.
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Note:
Any probes and instruments found not function or defect
Will be removed from service area or used repair tag to
attach to the instrument.

2) Eddy current standards

a. The nonferrous reference standards used to

Standardizes the eddy current equipment for detection of surface
and subsurface discontinuities shall be of an alloy having the
same major base metal and the approximate electrical
conductivity, surface texture, configuration and discontinuity
location as the part to be inspected.

b. Discontinuities utilized in the reference standard may be either

natural or artificial.

3) Equipment Calibration

In order to know discontinuity indication based on deflection of

needle or change position of dot on CRT and result of indication are
not linear so these equipment are deemed not calibration required
(NCR), but if any suspect damages or interferences that cause
difficult to interpret and evaluate any indication, then these
equipment have to be sent to be repaired and calibrated.

Accomplishment of performance test of the equipment has to be

performed every 6 (six) month functionally to comply with its
operating manual and satisfaction testing minimum one reference
standard. When the performance test found good condition then the
equipment is incorporated by serviceable tag.
To assure the equipment is good condition then before the
equipment used have to be performed calibration system by using
reference standards that conformance to work performed.

4) Test Article

a. Test areas shall be visually free of grease, oil, rust, scale or

other substances that may interfere with the inspection.

b. Inspection will not be conducted on surface rougher then 250

RHR. Inspection surface shall also be smooth enough not to
damage the probe and to give at least a 3:1 ratio between the
referenced notch signal and inspection surface noise level.
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5. Detail Requirements
5.1. Eddy current Conductivity Testing
1) Lift off correction factors
a. Establish lift-off correction factors for material or parts having a
nonconductive coating exceeding 0.003 inches (0.0076 mm) as
follows:
1. Obtain plastic shim stock or a paper of the same thickness as the
nonconductive layer on the parts to be tested. Where paint
thickness is not known, it will be necessary to remove or measure
the paint thickness.
2. Place the shim or paper a bare specimen of the same nominal
conductivity as the parts to be tested.
3. Note the difference in readings of conductivity between test run
when the probe is placed directly on the surface of the bare
specimen and when the probe is placed on the paper or plastic
shim stock on top of the specimen. Use this difference as the lift
off correction factor for reading on the parts to be tested.

2) Operating Precautions
a. When necessary to rub or slide probe tip against a surface, do it
gently to save wear on the probe surface
b. Don't tip bang probe pressure is desirable
c. A firm consistent probe pressure is desirable.
d. Clean the surface of the material to be measured, if required.
e. Keep the probe tip clean by wiping often with a clean lint-free cloth or
a suitable commercial wiper.
3) Inspection Procedure
a. Connect the required probe coil to the instrument
b. Switch on the instrument and allow it to warm up for at least the
length of time recommended by the manufacturer.
c. Make all necessary setup and control adjustments in accordance with
the manufacturer's recommendation.
d. Calibrate the measurement system as follows:
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Adjust, balance and calibrate the conductivity meter against the

instrument standard and compensate the conductivity meter for
surface roughness and lift off adjustment in accordance with in
paragraph 4.2.
e. Place the probe coil on the test object and read the test results on the
display.
f. Verify the calibration of the instrument at the end of testing each tot. If
the calibration is found to have exceeded limits set by user,
recalibrate the system and retest all the material tested since the last
acceptance calibration.

4) Interpretation of Results
a. The results of eddy current conductivity testing are based on the
comparison of an unknown with one or more standards.
b. Electrical conductivity testing is most successfully used on flat objects
with a clean surface. For most instruments, the test object should
have an electrical conductivity that is between the values of the two
standards used to calibrate the instrumentation.
c. The value obtained in the measurement of the test object is
applicable only at the temperature of the test object at the time of
measurement.
In order to determine the electrical conductivity at other temperatures,
the temperature coefficient of conductivity of the test object must be
determined.
5). Report
The written report of an electrical conductivity measurement should
contain any information about the test set up that will be necessary to
duplicate at the same or some other location.

5.2 Eddy current for discontinuities

1). Inspection procedure
a. Operate the equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s technical
manual. Testing parameters of eddy current inspection are too
numerous to be specified here for all application:
1. Operate at frequency that produces the required test sensitivity
and depth of penetration.
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2. Unless otherwise specified adjust equipment control for zero

to three mil lift-off if equipment is designed for lift
compensation.

b. Calibrate the equipment using specified standards establish the

correct sensitivity for detecting discontinuities.

The acceptance criteria are normally defined in terms of the

equipment response to the reference standard. If reference
standard. If reference standards are not specified, use standards
that are representative of the part to be inspected calibrate prior
to use and at intervals necessary to maintain calibration during
continuous use. Equipment must be re-calibrated if any part of
system is replaced or if any calibrated control settings are
changed

c. Conduct examination at specified locations. Scan inspection

areas at scan increments that do not exceed the width of the test
coils of a side-by-side arrangement differential probe, unless
otherwise specified.

d. Response from defect indications shall be compared with

response from reference standard. Edge effect interference on
the test part shall not exceed 20 percent of he response from the
reference standard.

2). Acceptance Criteria

Reject parts that contain indications in excess of acceptance limits.
If acceptance limits are not specified, reject all parts having crack
like indications.

3). Record and Report

After performing eddy current should be recorded and made an
eddy current report as result of eddy current inspection. Record
and report should be maintained during 2 years in NDT Office.