ASTM A966/A966M-15(2020)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A966/A966M − 15 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Magnetic Particle Examination of Steel Forgings Using
Alternating Current
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA966/A966M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the magnetic
A275/A275M Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination of
particle examination of steel forgings using alternating current
Steel Forgings
as the power source. The procedure will produce consistent
A508/A508M Specification for Quenched and Tempered
results upon which acceptance standards can be based. This
Vacuum-Treated Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for
practice does not contain acceptance limits or recommended
Pressure Vessels
quality levels.
A788/A788M Specification for Steel Forgings, General Re-
1.2 Onlyalternating50–60cyclecurrentshallbeusedasthe
quirements
electric power source for any of the magnetizing methods. A963/A963M Specification for Deep Drawing Steel (DDS),
Sheet, Carbon, Cold-Rolled (Withdrawn 2000)
1.3 When subsurface indications are sought in forgings,
2.2 Other Document:
then dc magnetization in accordance with Practice A275/
Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, Supplement B—Magnetic Par-
A275M should be used.
ticle Method
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
3. Terminology
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
3.1 Definitions:
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
3.1.1 (ac) magnetic particle method of examination, n—a
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
method for detecting discontinuities on the surface in suitably
used independently of the other, and values from the two
magnetized materials, which employs finely divided magnetic
systems shall not be combined. Unless the order specifies the
particles that tend to congregate in regions of leakage fields.
applicable “M” specification designation [SI units], the inch-
3.1.2 indication, n—the visual magnetic particle buildup
pound units shall be used.
resulting from leakage fields in the magnetic field.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 linear indication, n—an indication in which the length
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
is at least three times the width. The minimum length of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
indications to be considered linear shall be ⁄16 in. [1.5 mm].
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.4 magnetic flux, n—the product of the magnetic induc-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion and the area of a surface (or cross section) when the
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- magnetic induction is uniformly distributed and normal to the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- plane of the surface.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.4.1 Discussion—The concept that the magnetic field is
flowing along the lines of force suggests that these lines are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
therefore “flux” lines, and they are called magnetic flux.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee the ASTM website.
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved March 1, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally www.astm.org.
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as A966/A966M–15. AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
DOI: 10.1520/A0966_A0966M–15R20. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A966/A966M − 15 (2020)
3.1.5 nonrelevant indications, n—indications produced by consist of contacting or clamping elements with sufficient
leakagefieldswheretheconditionscausingthemarepresentby surface area and clamping pressure to allow the required
accident or part design, or other features of the part having no current to flow without damaging (burning) the part being
relation to the damaging flaws being sought. examined.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—This term signifies that such an indica-
8.2 Portable electromagnetic alternating current yokes may
tion has no relation to the discontinuities that might constitute
be used as a magnetizing apparatus.
defects.
9. Magnetic Particles
4. Basis of Application
9.1 The inspection medium shall consist of finely divided
4.1 When in accordance with the requirements of the
ferromagnetic particles (which may be coated with a fluores-
inquiry, contract, order, or specifications, forgings are to be
centmaterial)suspendedinasuitableliquidmediumorusedin
examined by the magnetic particle method using alternating
dry powder form.
current; the manufacturer and the supplier shall be in agree-
ment concerning the following:
10. Surface Preparation
4.1.1 The locations on the forging that are to be subjected to
magnetic particle examination. 10.1 The sensitivity of the magnetic particle examination
will depend to a considerable extent upon the condition of the
4.1.2 The type, size, number, location, and orientation of
indications that are to be considered injurious. surface being examined. While defects may be satisfactorily
4.1.3 The method of application and type of magnetic revealed on shot-blasted or otherwise cleaned forged surfaces,
particles, demagnetization requirements, and magnetic field without any further surface treatment, all heat treatment or
strengths. forging scale must be removed. However, to reveal fine defects
4.1.4 Acceptance standards. of ⁄8 in. [3 mm] or less in length, the surfaces to be examined
shallbesmoothmachinedtoatleasta250µin.[6.35µm]finish
5. Significance and Use
where the definition for surface finish is as per Specification
A788/A788M.
5.1 For ferromagnetic materials, magnetic particle examina-
tion is widely specified for the detection of surface and
10.2 The surfaces shall be free from grease, oils, or other
near-surface flaws such as cracks, laps, seams, and linearly
substances to which the particles may adhere.
oriented nonmetallic inclusions. Such examinations are in-
cluded as mandatory requirements in some forging standards
11. Methods of Magnetization
such as Specifications A508/A508M and A963/A963M.
11.1 The forging may be magnetized either by passing
5.2 Use of alternating current as the power source for
current through the piece or by inducing a magnetic field by
magnetic particle examination imposes a significant restriction
means of a central conductor, by coils, or by yoke.
on the detection of subsurface indications, so that the proce-
11.1.1 Continuous Method—In the continuous method the
dure is essentially limited to the finding of flaws that are open
inspection medium is applied to the surface under examination
to the surface.Attention therefore is drawn to the need to have
while the current is still flowing.The alternating current source
the component in the finish-machined condition before con-
generateshighamperagecurrentinpulsesofupto1sduration.
ducting the magnetic particle examination.
The duration of this flow shall allow at least three pulses of
current, or in the case where machines supply continuous
5.3 The presence of residual magnetic fields in a component
1 1
current flow, a minimum shot of ⁄5 to ⁄2 s duration should be
maybeundesirable,andanadvantageoftheuseofanacpower
applied.
source for magnetic particle examination is that an acceptable
level of demagnetization can be readily achieved. 11.1.2 The surge and residual methods are not applicable to
this practice.
6. Personnel Requirements
11.2 At least two separate examinations shall be carried out
6.1 Personnel performing the magnetic particle examination
on each area.The second examination shall be with the lines of
in this practice shall be qualified and certified in accordance
magnetic flux approximately perpendicular to those used for
with a written procedure conforming to Practice No. SNT- the first examination in that area. A different means of
TC-1A or another national standard that is acceptable to both
magnetization may be used for the second examination. Mag-
the purchaser and supplier.
netizing in more than one direction cannot normally be
accomplishedsimultaneously.Anexceptiontotheaboveruleis
7. Stage of Examination
overall sequential multivector magnetization whereby several
magnetizing circuits are provided for sequentially magnetizing
7.1 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, acceptance
a part in multiple directions depending on the locations of the
examination shall be performed on a forging in the final
current connectors. By this technique, indications of any
machined surface condition.
orientation can be detected with a single application of
8. Magnetizing Apparatus magnetic particles.
8.1 A50 or 60 cycle alternating current shall be used.When 11.3 The two general types of magnetization with regard to
current is passed through the forging itself, the equipment shall direction are longitudinal and circular as follows:
A966/A966M − 15 (2020)
11.3.1 Longitudinal—When a forging is magnetized
longitudinally, the magnetic flux lines are usually parallel to
the axis of the piece.Alongitudinally magnetized piece always
has definite poles, readily detectable by compass or magne-
tometer. Longitudinal magnetization is usually accomplished
by placing the forging within a solenoid, frequently formed by
wrapping cable around the piece (Fig. 1). For special
applications, magnetic yokes can be used (Fig. 2).
11.3.2 Circular—Circular magnetization is obtained by
passing a current through the piece (Fig. 3) or by induced by
passing current through a conductor or conductors threaded
through an opening in the piece (Fig. 4 or Fig. 5). By
agreement with the purchaser (see 11.5.3) localized circular
magnetization may be obtained by passing current through
FIG. 2 Longitudinal Magnetization, with Yoke
local areas by the use of prod-type contacts (Fig. 6).
11.4 The magnetic field is confined almost entirely to the
piece and there may be no external manifestation of the
magnetized condition. Indications will appear strongest in the
direction perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.
11.5 Field Strength—The minimum field strength that will
reveal and permit classification of all objectionable defects
shall be used. The maximum field strengths practical are the
ones just below the point at which excessive adherence of the
particles begins to occur over the surface being inspected.
11.5.1 Coil Magnetization—When coil magnetization is
FIG. 3 Circular Magnetization, Current Directly Through Forging
used, the magnetic field strength is directly proportional to the
current (ampere-turns if a coil or solenoid is used) and
inversely proportional to the thickness of the section being
inspected.
11.5.1.1 Longitudinal Magnetization—For encircling coils
(Fig. 1), the turns of the coil shall be kept closely together.The
field strength decreases as distance from the coil increases and
long parts must be magnetized in sections. If the area to be
inspected extends beyond 6 in. [150 mm] on either side of the
coils,theadequacyofthefieldshallbedemonstratedbytheuse
of field indicators (see 11.5.6).
(1) Small Forgings—Magnetizing force shall be 35 000 FIG. 4 Circular Magnetization, Current Through a Conductor
ampere-turns divided by the sum of 2 plus the “length over
diameter” ratio of the test part. For example, a part 10 in.
[250 mm]longby2in.[50mm]inoutsidediameterhasanL/D
ratio of 5. Therefore, 35 000⁄(2 + 5) = 5000 ampere-turns; if a
5-turn coil is used, the current required is 5000/5 or 1000 A.
FIG. 5 Circular Magnetization, Current Through Conductors
Threaded Thr
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