TU Ilmenau (Homelink)

Nondestructive material testing and evaluation is a vast interdisciplinary field as well as a challenge due to the variety of applications. Whereas the focus of nondestructive testing is to identify anomalies within a specimen, the reconstruction of defect properties and their influence on the materials usability is the focus of nondestructive evaluation. In this chapter the technology of motion-induced eddy current testing (MIECT) is introduced. In contrast to traditional eddy current testing (ECT) methods, MIECT makes use of relative motion between the object under test and permanent magnets. The induced eddy currents interact with the applied magnetic field and result in a Lorentz force, depending on the impressed magnetic induction, the electrical conductivity, and the measuring velocity. Because permanent magnets produce considerably stronger magnetic fields than current-carrying ECT coils, even deep internal defects can be detected using the Lorentz force eddy current testing (LET). It is shown how the electromagnetic fields can be described theoretically and simulated numerically, as well as how imperfections/defects in non-ferromagnetic, conducting specimens can be detected using an appropriate laboratory environment. Comparative studies have shown that LET applied to metallic composite material or friction stir welds is a promising and competitive alternative to traditional ECT methods enabling the contactless evaluation of moving electrical conductors.