Method Statement –Magnetic ParticleTesting & Inspection
Contact: John Doe
Location of works (inc access & site boundaries): Various – throughout the UK & Ireland Description of
task:
Carrying out magnetic particle inspections in accordance with the current industry standards and requirements in a
variety
of locations as required. Full process details are documented in the VIS Quality Engineers Manual
The fluid medium normally used for test purposes shall be water. Where product is used as a test medium the
engineer
will ensure that it is suitable for the intended work i.e., the flash point is above 61°C, non-corrosive etc.
Equipment used during the process:
• Hand tools
• Cleaning Fluid and wire brush
• Gauges & associated equipment
• MPI Ink
• MPI Developer
• MPI Yoke 110v
• Torch and Magnifying Glass
• PPE
All equipment is calibrated where required & checked regularly to ensure it is safe & compliant
Method of work:
The Welding Partnership will conduct weld inspections/certifications in accordance with the current schedules
The inspection methods are fully documented in the Quality Engineers Manual sections QEMIP16 and QEMIP 29.
Only qualified Inspection engineers will carry out this work & are subject to ongoing assessment & quality
monitoring.
The inspections include routine checks of the tank & ancillary equipment.
The inspections/certifications will include:
• 1. Scope:
• 1.1. This procedure defines the criteria and general requirements to carry out magnetic particle examination on welded
joints and weld bevels of ferromagnetic materials in order to detect discontinuities open to the surface.
• 1.2. This procedure employing yoke technique, with none fluorescent dry or wet systems.
• 2. Purpose
• 2.1. To ensure magnetic particle testing is carried out in a controlled defined manner, in accordance with the
requirements of Codes and standard referenced below in Reference.
• 3. Reference
• 3.1. ASME Code Section V -applicable edition/addenda.
• 3.2. ASME Code Section I -applicable edition/addenda.
• 3.3. ASME Code Section VIII, Div1-applicable edition/addenda.
• 3.4. ANSI/ASME B31.1, B31.3 applicable edition/addenda.
• 3.5. National Board Inspection Code, NBIC-23, applicable edition.
• 3.6. AWS D1.1 - applicable edition.
• 3.7. ASTM-E709-Standard guide for Magnetic Particle Testing.
• 3.8. Clients specification requirements for acceptance criteria.
• 3.9. Written Practice No. TNE-MPT-Doc-04 Rev ‘0’.
• In case of conflict between Code requirements and Client’s specifications, Code requirements shall prevail
• 4. Definitions
• 4.1. MPI : Magnetic particle inspection.
• 4.2. AC : Alternating current
• 4.3. DC : Direct current
• 5. Responsibilities:
• 5.1. The NDT Inspector shall be responsible for conducting and reporting the results of inspection in accordance with
project contract.
• 6. Personnel Qualification:
• 6.1. All personnel involved in Magnetic Particle Examinations shall be qualified in accordance with the requirements of
y The Welding Partnership NDT written practice No., TNE-MPT-Doc-04 Rev ‘0’. and (Written Practice for NDE Personnel
Qualification).
• 6.2. When the written practice is revised, the certification of NDE personnel remains valid to the requirements of the
previous revision until the expiry date of the personnel qualification certificate; then, recertification to the requirements of
the new revision is required.
• 6.3. The certification of personnel shall be checked by the QA/QC Manager prior to work commencement.
• 7. Procedures:
• 7.1. Equipment:
• 7.1.1 Electromagnetic yokes shall be the adjustable leg type giving an AC magnetic field and shall have a lifting power
capable of lifting a test weight of 10 lbs. (4.5 kg).
• 7.1.2 Permanent magnets either fixed or adjustable pole shall have a lifting power capable of lifting a test weight of 40
lbs. (18 kg).
• 7.1.3 AC Yokes shall be tested for adequate magnetization strength prior to use each day by being able to pick up a
4.5 kg steel weight. Similarly, DC Yokes shall be tested using an 18 kg steel weight, Results recorded on MT Calibration
Report form
• 7.1.4 Where magnetization field strength is uncertain, an ASME pie gauge may be used to verify adequate
magnetization of a part
• 7.1.5 When procedure qualification is specified by the referencing code section, this procedure shall be
• qualified by demonstration and documented on "Procedure Qualification & demonstration record" form.
• Which shall list all essential and non-essential variables (as per Table T-721 of ASME Code Sec.V ) actually
• used during qualification and range qualified. The records shall be attached to this procedure.
• 7.2. Material:
• 7.2.1 Dry and wet particles and suspension vehicles shall be in accordance with SE-709.
• 7.2.2 Particles shall be used within the temperature range limitation set by the manufacturer of the
• particles.
• 7.3. Surface Preparation:
• 7.3.1 Generally, satisfactory results may be obtained when the surface of the part is in the as-welded, asrolled,
• as-cast, heat treated or as forged condition. Surface preparation by grinding, machining, or other
• methods may be necessary where surface irregularities could mask the interpretation.
• 7.3.2 Prior to all Magnetic Particles examinations, the weld to be examined and all adjacent areas within at
• least 25mm (1") 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.
• 7.3.3 Cleaning may be accomplished using detergents, organic solvents, descaling solutions, paint
• removers, sand or grit blasting methods.
• 7.3.4 If nonmagnetic coatings are left on the part in the area being examined, it shall be demonstrated that
• indications can be detected through the existing maximum coating thickness applied. When AC yoke
• technique is used, the demonstration shall be in accordance with Mandatory Appendix I of Article 7.
• 7.3.5 The uncoated area or weld under examination shall be temporarily coated with a white matt
• lacquer, sufficiently opaque to assist in contrast of any indications and to offer a smooth surface to allow
• particles to remain mobile.
• 7.3.6 Area where electrical contact will be made on the examination piece shall be thoroughly cleaned to
• provide low resistance electrical connections to reduce the possibility of arc strikes.
• 7.4. Examination:
• 7.4.1 All examinations shall be conducted with sufficient field overlap to ensure 100% coverage at the
• required sensitivity.
• 7.4.2 The temperature shall not exceed 600ºF (316ºC) for dry particles and 122ºF (50ºC) for wet particles
• 7.4.3 The method of magnetization shall be done using either electromagnetic yoke or permanent magnet,
• with pole spacing to be between a minimum of 3 inches (76.2 mm) and a maximum of 8 inches (203.2mm).
• Shorter spacing may be used to compensate for the geometry of area being examined or increase
• sensitivity, but leg spacing less than 3 inches (76.2 mm) is not recommended due to the strength of the
• longitudinal magnetic field at the poles.
• 7.4.4 The Yoke shall be placed in contact with the surface to be examined and energized.
• 7.4.5 While maintaining the magnetic field, apply the magnetic particles so that a light, uniform coating
• settles on the examination surface.
• 7.4.5.1 Dry Particles:
• a) For electromagnetic yoke, the yoke is energized, and the dry particles are applied to the area between
• the poles. The application of the dry particles shall be stopped and the excess of the examination medium
• shall be removed before the yoke is de-energized.
• b) For permanent magnets, the magnet shall be placed across the area, and the dry particles are applied to
• the area between the poles. The application of the dry particles shall be stopped and the excess of the
• examination medium shall be removed before the magnet is removed.
• c) For the application of dry particles in either technique, the dry particles shall be introduced to the area
• very lightly and sparingly so as not to disturb any lightly held particle patterns.
• d) Accumulations of excess dry particles in examinations shall be removed with a light air stream from a
• bulb or syringe or other source of low-Pressure dry air. The examination magnetization field shall be
• maintained while removing the excess particles.
• 7.4.5.2 Wet Particles:
• a) For electromagnetic yoke, the yoke is energized after the particles have been applied. The flow of the
• particles shall stop with the application of current. Wet particle applied from aerosol spray cans may be
• applied before and/or after magnetizing current is applied.
• b) For permanent magnets, the magnet shall be placed across the area, and the wet particles are applied
to
• the area between the poles. The application of the wet particles shall be stopped before the magnet is
• removed.
• c) With the wet particles method, care shall be exercised to avoid “flooding” of the area.
• 7.4.6 The inspection shall be repeated with the magnet/yoke being relocated at approximately
• perpendicular (90°) to the first magnetization direction forming an "X" pattern, to ensure full coverage of
• the area under examination.
• 7.4.7 The adequacy or direction of the magnetizing field, when necessary, shall be demonstrated by using
• the magnetic particle field indicator. The magnetic particle field indicator described in ASME Section V,
• Article 7, Fig. T-764.1.1 shall be used.
• 7.4.8 Good lighting shall be available to ensure shadows do not obstruct the test areas. A minimum light
• intensity of 100 foot candles (1000 Lux) is required on the surface to be examined to ensure adequate
• sensitivity during the examination and evaluation of indications.
• 7.4.9 The light source, technique used, and light level verification is required to be demonstrated one
• time, documented, and maintained on file.
• 7.4.10 Demagnetization shall be required after the completion of the examination when the residual
• magnetic field could interfere with subsequent processing or usage.
• 7.4.11 When post-examination cleaning is required, it shall be conducted as soon as practical using a
• process that does not adversely affect the part.
• 7.5. Interpretation & Evaluation:
• 7.5.1 All relevant indications shall be interpreted and evaluated in accordance with the appropriate criteria
• after each individual examination and the results recorded on the MT examination Report form no.
• TNE-MTR-02 Rev ‘0’
• 7.5.2 All non-relevant indications shall be re-examined by different NDT method to verify that no defect
• is present.
• 7.5.3 All indications shall be evaluated in terms of the acceptance standards of the referencing Code
• Section.
• 7.6. ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS: 7.6.1 Acceptance criteria for specific codes are listed as below.
• These acceptance criteria shall apply unless other more restrictive standards are specified by Client.
8. Documentation:
8.1. Non-rejectable indications shall be recorded as specified by the referencing Code Section.
8.2. Rejectable indications shall be recorded. As a minimum, the type of indications (linear or rounded),
location and extent (length or diameter or aligned) shall be recorded.
8.3. Results of the examination shall be recorded in Magnetic Particle examination report form no.
TNE-MTR-02 Rev ‘0’
9. Attachments:
Magnetic Particle Examination Report …………….. …………………. TNE-MTR-02 Rev ‘0’
• .
Safety precautions:
The application of both MPI and dye penetrant inspections has a number of safety
Implications and these need to be considered when specifying the inspection requirements.
These include the following:
Toxic and flammable qualities of aerosols, dyes, developers, inks and all other chemicals used in the inspections
The use of UV-A light sources
The use of low light levels to facilitate the use of UV lamps may cause safety problems i.e. slips, trips and falls.
Access
Working in confined spaces
The toxicity of cleaning fluids and their use in confined spaces
The electrical safety of inspection equipment
Cleaning of live plant
Working at heights
Intrinsically safe equipment
Working on live plant and permits to work.
Signed:
