COMPARISON OF ASME (2010 EDITION) AND RCC-M (2012 EDITION)

Sr. No. Title ASME (2010) RCC-M (2012)

T-721.1 Requirements. Magnetic particle examination shall be
1. Written Procedure All magnetic particle examinations shall comply with the
performed in accordance with a written procedure, which shall, as a
Requirements conditions specified in a series of properly identified
minimum, contain the requirements listed in Table T-721 of article
documents (procedures, route sheets and instruction sheets)
7. The written procedure shall establish a single value, or range of
values, for each requirement.
T-721.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure qualification is
When contractually required a written test procedure shall
specified by the referencing Code Section, a change of a
be prepared and approved prior to the examination.
requirement in Table T-721 of article 7 identified as an essential
variable shall require requalification of the written procedure by
demonstration. A change of a requirement identified as a
nonessential variable does not require requalification of the written
procedure. All changes of essential or nonessential variables from
those specified within the written procedure shall require revision
of, or an addendum to, the written procedure.
Checking magnetization Magnetizing equipment with an ammeter shall be calibrated at least Ammeters shall be checked every 6 months in accordance
3.
apparatus once a year, or whenever the equipment has been subjected to with conditions set forth in a written document.
major electric repair, periodic overhaul, or damage. If equipment
has not been in use for a year or more, calibration shall be done
prior to first use.
Calibration of measuring Light meters and Gauss meters shall be calibrated at least once a Measuring apparatus (light meter, field indicator) shall be
4.
apparatus year or whenever a meter has been repaired. If meters have not calibrated every 12 months in accordance with conditions
been in use for one year or more, calibration shall be done before set forth in a written document.
being used.
Detecting media The finely divided ferromagnetic particles used for the examination Dry powders: This powder may either be used without a
5.
shall meet the following requirements. special preparation or may be colored to improve contrast.
The particles shall be treated to impart color (fluorescent pigments, Magnetic inks: The concentration of magnetic particles
nonfluorescent pigments, or both) in order to make them highly visible in white light shall in all cases be higher than 2 g/l in
visible (contrasting) against the background of the surface being new products. For ready-to-use detecting media, the
examined. concentration, measured using the ASTM test specimen,
For fluorescent particles, the required settling volume is from 0.1 to shall be between 12 and 24 ml/l.
0.4 mL in a 100-mL bath sample and from 1.2 to 2.4 mL per 100 Fluorescent detecting media particle concentration may
mL of vehicle for nonfluorescent particles unless otherwise have minimum value 0.5 g/l in new products and between 1
specified by the particle manufacturer. Concentration checks shall and 5 ml/l measured using the ASTM test specimen in
be made at least every eight hours. ready-to-use detecting media.
Devices for checking detecting pear-shaped centrifuge Checking the procurement and consistency over time of the
6.
media performance of detecting media is performed using
previously-magnetized magnetic particle field indicators
(type with magnetic field gradient) ensuring selectivity
independent of any magnetizing conditions imposed by the
equipment.
Surface Preparation Satisfactory results are usually obtained when the surfaces are in Surfaces of parts to be examined shall be clean and free
7.
the as-welded, as-rolled, as-cast, or as forged conditions. However, from any irregularities liable to adversely affect the correct
surface preparation by grinding or machining may be necessary distribution of detection media and the correct interpretation
where surface irregularities could mask indications due to of magnetic patterns. In the case of examination under
 discontinuities.
Prior to magnetic particle examination, the surface to be examined
and all adjacent areas within at least 1 in. (25 mm) shall be dry and
free of all dirt, grease, lint, scale, welding flux and spatter, oil, or
other extraneous matter that could interfere with the examination.
Choice of magnetization One or more of the following five magnetization techniques
8.
method shall be used:
(a) prod technique
(b) longitudinal magnetization technique
(c) circular magnetization technique
(d) yoke technique
(e) multidirectional magnetization technique
Temperature conditions for
9. Particles shall be used within the temperature range limitations set
detecting media
by the manufacturer of the particles. Alternatively, particles may be
used outside the particle manufacturer’s recommendations
providing the procedure is qualified in accordance with Article 1,
T-150 at the proposed temperature.
Magnetization conditions A suitable field strength is indicated by A gauss meter and Hall-
10.
checks Effect tangential-field probe when the measured field is within the
range of 30 G to 60 G (2.4 kAm −1 to 4.8 kAm−1) while the
magnetizing force is being applied.
Overall checking of application of the method may be performed
using one of the pie-shaped magnetic particle field indicator and
artificial Flaw Shims.
Application of detecting Dry Particles. The magnetizing current shall remain on while the
11.
medium examination medium is being applied and while any excess of the
examination medium is removed.
Wet Particles. The magnetizing current shall be turned on after the
particles have been applied. Flow of particles shall stop with the
application of current. Wet particles applied from aerosol spray
cans may be applied before and/or after magnetizing current is
applied. Wet particles may be applied during the application of
magnetizing current if they are not applied directly to the
examination area and are allowed to flow over the examination area
or are applied directly to the examination area with low velocities
insufficient to remove accumulated particles.
Lighting Conditions A minimum light intensity of 100 fc (1000 Lx) is required on the
12.
surface to be examined for visible magnetic particles.
With fluorescent magnetic particles, the examination is performed
using an ultraviolet light (i.e.,nominal 365 nm), called black light.
The examination shall a darkened area. Examiners shall be in a
darkened area for at least 5 min prior to performing examinations to
enable their eyes to adapt to dark viewing. Glasses or lenses worn
by examiners shall not be photochromic or exhibit any
fluorescence. Black lights shall achieve a minimum of 1000µW/cm 2
on the surface of the part being examined throughout the
examination. Reflectors, filters, glasses, and lenses should be
normal light, and prior to magnetization, the contrast may
be improved by applying a fine coat of light colour paint or
coating. After examination, the coat applied is removed.
The choice of the magnetization method depends on the
geometry, mass, condition and grade of the parts under
examination in addition to the assumed orientation and
depth of the discontinuities sought. In cases when material
being examined is subjected to cracking, only the
magnetic flow method shall be used.
Magnetic ink can be used for temperatures less than or
equal to 50°C, Dry powder containing organic pigments can
be used for temperatures less than or equal to 100°C and
Dry powder containing either no pigments or with non-
organic pigments for temperatures less than or equal to
300°C.
The check is performed by measuring the tangential
magnetic field using appropriate apparatus. The result shall
be between 2400 and 4000 A/m in the area under
examination.
Overall checking of application of the method may be
performed using one of the AFNOR, BERTHOLD, ASME
Magnetic particle field indicators.
The detecting medium shall be applied as soon as
magnetization occurs. This magnetization shall be held for
at least 3 seconds and shall only be stopped once the
detecting medium has been applied and flowed over the
entire area undergoing examination.
When dry powder is applied, inspection shall take place
during and immediately following magnetization.
When magnetic inks are used, examination may take place
during magnetization and when magnetization has ended.
When detecting media visible under normal lighting
conditions are used, the area examined shall be illuminated
to a level of not less than 500 lux.
Where fluorescent detecting media are used, the
examination shall be performed in a darkened area.
However, the examination of the surface to be checked must
take place in ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light source(s)
shall have warmed up to its/their maximum intensity before
the examination commences. The examiner shall be in the
darkened area for at least 5 minutes before
starting the examination, to give his eyes time to become
 checked and, if necessary, cleaned prior to use. Cracked or broken accustomed to the dark. The ultra-violet light intensity on
reflectors, filters, glasses, or lenses shall be replaced immediately. the surface to be observed shall be at least 10 W/m 2, with
The black light intensity shall be measured with a black light meter the source at the normal distance from the part being
prior to use, whenever the light’s power source is interrupted or examined (not less than 30 cm).
changed, and at the completion of the examination or series of
examinations.
Interpretation of indications Indications are characterized by their dimensions. They are Indications are characterized by their dimensions. They are
13.
classified as linear or non-linear indications. classified as linear or non-linear indications.
An indication is classified as "linear" when its largest dimension is An indication is classified as "linear" when its largest
greater than three times its smallest dimension. dimension is greater than three times its smallest dimension.
Other indications are classified as "rounded". Other indications are classified as "non-linear".
Cleaning When post-examination cleaning is required, it should be conducted Once the examination has ended, remaining products shall
14.
as soon as practical using a process that does not adversely affect be removed through use of suitable cleaning agents.
the part.
Demagnetization When residual magnetism in the part could interfere with
15.
subsequent processing or usage, the part shall be demagnetized any
time after completion of the examination.
Current flow technique using Direct or rectified magnetizing current shall be used. The current Recommended value of current in amperes per cm of space
16.
hand-held prods shall be 100(minimum) amp / in. (4 amp/mm) to 125 (maximum) between the prods is 40 to 50 for AC, 25 to 32 for Half-
(strength of magnetization amp/in. (5 amp/mm) of prod spacing for sections 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) wave rectified current and 36 to 45 for Full-wave rectified
current) thick or greater. For sections less than 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) thick, the current.
current shall be 90 amp/ in. (3.6 amp/mm) to 110 amp/in. (4.4
amp/mm) of prod spacing.
Current flow technique using Prod spacing shall not exceed 8 in. (200 mm). Shorter spacing may The prods shall be positioned on the grid in such a way as to
17.
hand-held prods be used to accommodate the geometric limitations of the area being permit the part to be magnetized in 2 approximately
(Placement of Prods) examined or to increase the sensitivity, but prod spacing of less perpendicular directions with a maximum
than 3 in. (75 mm) are usually not practical due to banding of the perpendicularity deviation of 30°.
particles around the prods. The prod tips shall be kept clean and The distance between the contact pads shall within the
dressed. If the open circuit voltage of the magnetizing current range 75 to 250 mm.
source is greater than 25 V, lead, steel, or aluminum (rather than
copper) tipped prods are recommended to avoid copper deposits on
the part being examined.
Longitudinal Magnetization Technique passing an electric current through a series of coil turns
18.
Central Conductor Technique wound around the outside of the part
Yoke Technique applying an electric current via a conductor coiled through
Magnetic flow techniques the bore of a hollow part or section
(Magnetizing Methods) passing an electric current through a conductor threaded
through the centre of the part
Passing a magnetic flow created by means of a portable or
fixed electromagnetic yoke
Magnetic flow techniques The current shall be 300 amp/in. (12 A/mm) to 800 amp/in. (31 Current amperage is selected in accordance with the
19.
(Special technical conditions) A/mm) of outer diameter for central conductor technique. dimensions (length and diameter) of the part with the
For longitudinal magnetization techniques suitable magnetizing number of coil turns needed to provide the magnetization
current is obtained by formula characteristics between 2400 and 4000 A/m in the area
under examination.
The coils shall be spaced at regular intervals as close as
 possible to one another. They may be placed edge to edge.
At least two separate examinations shall be performed on
each area. The second examination shall be performed in
such a way as to produce magnetic lines of force which run
virtually perpendicular to those produced for the first
examination. Different magnetization techniques may be
employed for the second examination.
When outside coils are used, the area subjected to
examination during each magnetizing operation shall extend
up to a maximum of 100 mm at either side of the coil or
solenoid.
Each alternating current electromagnetic yoke shall have a lifting Shall be capable of lifting a ferromagnetic weight of at least
20.
power of at least 10 lb (4.5 kg) at the maximum pole spacing that 4.5 kg (for AC magnets),
Magnetic flow techniques will be used. Shall be capable of lifting a ferromagnetic weight of at least
(Strength of yokes) Each direct current or permanent magnetic yoke shall have a lifting 18 kg (for DC magnets) with the poles being separated to
power of at least 40 lb (18 kg) at the maximum pole spacing that the maximum extent for the use intended.
will be used.
The poles shall be positioned on the grid in such a way as to
21.
permit the part to be magnetized in 2 approximately
Magnetic flow techniques perpendicular directions with a maximum
Perpendicular to ist direction
(Placement of yokes) perpendicularity deviation of 30°.
The distance between the poles shall within the range 75 to
250 mm.
Prepared by: Asim Khan, Senior Tech Mirza Safeer Ahmad, Senior Scientist