Electric Resistance Welded Seam Inspection Using Circumferential Flux

For conventional magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection where an excitation magnetic field is generated in the axial direction of a pipeline, axially oriented crack detection is impossible [1][2]. A new MFL tool design is presented that creates an excitation field in the circumferential or transverse direction, allowing for axial crack detection, as well as the more conventional metal loss detection. Design criteria that ensure detection …