[Sulaiman* 6(8): August, 2019] ISSN 2349-4506
Impact Factor: 3.799
Global Journal of Engineering Science and Research Management
http: // www.gjesrm.com © Global Journal of Engineering Science and Research Management
[16]
OPTIMAL FREQUENCY DESIGN OF EDDY CURRENT TESTING FOR COPPER,
BRASS AND MAGNESIUM ALLOY METAL WITH DIFFERENCE THICKNESS
Fauziah Sulaiman*, Elya Alias, Abu Bakar Abdul Rahman, Salmia Santa, Elnetthra Folly Eldy
*Physics with Electronics Program, Faculty Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia
Sabah,Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu
Preparatory of Science and Technology Centre Universiti Malaysia Sabah,Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota
Kinabalu
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3372507
KEYWORDS: Results for Nondestructive Test of Metal Imperfection of Copper (Cu) Metal, Results for
Nondestructive Test of Metal Imperfection of Brass Metal.
ABSTRACT
The main objective of this paper is to find the optimisation frequency for a designed non-destructive testing
(NDT) metal instrument known as eddy current testing (ECT). The chosen materials were copper (Cu), brass
and magnesium alloy (Mg) metals in 100 mm X 100 mm dimension, and with different type of thickness, i.e.
1.5 mm, 3 mm and 5 mm. All of the three (3) different kind of thicknesses in each metal were installed with
artificial defect and were tested to identify the optimal frequency. A dual-sensors were designed and
established to gather the voltage output with input frequencies were ranged between 250 kHz - 3.5 MHz. The
output signals of the voltage of testing from the sensor circuit then compared to analyse the optimal of range
frequency for the testing instrument. The result of this research showed that the non-destructive metal testing
instrument of dual-sensors by using ECT method can be used to find different defect for these metals, i.e.
copper (Cu), brass and magnesium alloy (Mg). The optimal frequencies for copper was 2.95 , brass was
2.90 and magnesium was 2.89 . The categorisation of thickness on metal for the ECT instrument
is suitable at 2.95 for copper, 2.90 for brass and 2.89 for magnesium alloy, which also
known as the optimal frequency.
INTRODUCTION
EDDY current technique is an important electromagnetic of non-destructive technique (NDT) evaluation that
is widely used in many industries for detection of surface cracks and corrosion in components made of
metallic materials.
1
One reason for this is that general purposes, user-friendly eddy current instruments are a
relatively recent phenomenon.
2
There are some advantages on using eddy currents for NDT purposes. It is
quick, simple, and reliable inspection technique to detect surface and near-surface defects. Besides, it is also
can be used to perform several tasks like thickness measurements, electrical corrosion valuation, and magnetic
permeability measurements.
3
There is no need for consumables and the inspection surface preparation is
minimal and results are drawn immediately.
Eddy current could be made by high frequency magnetic field. The magnetic field happens when high
frequency alternating current enters primary or transmitter coil.
4
In case there is continuous space inside the
test material, the eddy current will be higher. The eddy current will be lower if there are no continuous space
inside the test material.
5
This different could be used to measure the continuity of the test material by using
eddy current.
In this method, the current in the coil that constitute the probe induces eddy currents in the test material based
on the basic principle of electromagnetic induction.
6
When a crack interrupts the eddy current flow, the result
is change of the coil impedance, by measuring these impedance changes or by measuring a resultant magnetic
field using a coil sensor it is possible to detect the cracks in the test material.
In order to ensure the basic study of NDT in eddy current testing strengthen, the non-destructive metal testing
instrument by using eddy current method which consisted of 50 ohm ground function generator which can