In the defectoscopic tests by means of the eddy currents method only a certain superficial layer of the tested element is inspected. The reason of this phenomenon is connected with a very important feature of the eddy currents. The induced eddy currents generate its own magnetic field which obstructs penetration for the primary magnetic field. It is crucial to know the penetration depth of eddy currents. It allows planning successfully the diagnosis process. There are two cases worth mentioning: when the eddy current method is treated as the additional method complementary to the ultrasound method (because it does not detect superficial defects) and when the eddy current method is used as the main method for the thin elements diagnosis. The most frequently used evaluation method of eddy currents penetration depth is connected with determination of the e-folding decrease of electric current. The definition is convenient to use because it is simplified by using in the mathematical formula (allowing determination of the depth) frequency of eddy current and conductivity of the diagnosed elements. However the simplifications are not sufficient in practice. When we change the frequency of eddy currents during the survey or the probe then the depth of penetration is also changed, then we can measure the depth of the defects. While measuring the conductivity of a proper material element it is obligatory to prepare an adequate size of the sample that is free of defects. Knowing the value of penetration depth is then very helpful. On the other hand, when we have a sample of a specified size and we want to measure its conductivity then the knowledge of the depth of penetration of eddy currents helps us to select the proper frequency. In the paper there is described a proposal of a different definition of the penetration depth of eddy current, much more useful and accurate according to the authors. To obtain much more precise results, the new eddy current method was proposed. This method takes into account not only the parameters of the diagnosed sample and the eddy current frequency but the characteristic of the measuring device as well. The above mentioned method is based on the universal mathematical model of impact of conductive thin foil on the measuring coil impedance change. The procedure of calculations is easy to carry out online.
Nondestructive Determination of Stresses in Steel Components by Eddy Current Method
