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- Magnetic flux leakage (7)
- GMR (5)
- Sensor array (4)
- Electromagnetic testing (3)
- Finite element method (3)
- Non-destructive testing (3)
- Spherical defects (3)
- Giant magneto resistance (2)
- Adjoint sensitivity analysis (1)
- Eddy current (1)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (1)
Micro-cracks in a magnetized ferromagnetic material cause stray fields that can be observed using giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. This work investigates the applicability of GMR sensors to the non-destructive evaluation of micro-cracks via the observation of stray fields. For this purpose, our measurement setup is assessed using a fast new sensitivity analysis based on adjoint states, employing the finite-element method. A model for the GMR sensor is developed and verified. We are able to resolve micro-cracks with an opening of 3 µm and a depth of 30 µm. GMR positioning inaccuracies are analyzed.
We present a simulation study which pursues the objective to find probe geometries for a MR-based eddy current (EC) probe (MR magneto resistance, e.g., GMR giant magneto resistance, TMR tunnel magneto resistance). MR sensor technology exhibits two significant advantages compared with conventional coil systems. First, MR sensors are relatively frequency-independent within common EC-frequency ranges which enable us to operate them in hidden defects testing problems. Secondly, MR technology is well suited for miniaturization helping us to design small elements in the order of below 100 µm. In this paper simulation and experimental results obtained with the probes for low frequency application, i.e. for hidden defects detection are discussed.
Our simulations are based on two different approaches for a better validation, a commercial finite element method software (Opera, Vectorfields) and the semi-analytical software CIVA. We investigated both coil arrangement in order to excite sufficient high eddy currents inside the test samples and position of MR-elements at the array chip. In doing so the MR sensors were positioned that they are not exposed to excitation fields. In addition, different coil geometries, in particular coil length, e.g. Ι = 20 mm, were analyzed in order to generate a consistent eddy current distribution beneath an array of up to 32 MR-elements. To prove obtained probe principles we built GMR-EC-probes. The first test measurements are in good agreement with the simulations performed by BAM and CEA. On basis of our findings the IMAGIC consortium developed new MR-EC-probes using integrated ASIC technology.
We present a prototype for automated magnetic stray field testing of ferromagnetic roller bearings. For this purpose NDE-adapted GMR sensor arrays (giant magneto resistance) are used for the detection of surface breaking cracks. The sensors are miniaturized down to the lower µm-regime to achieve adequate spatial resolution. In doing so, sensor arrays with up to 48 elements are used to inspect the bearing surface within a few seconds only. In contrast to magnetic particle inspection (MPI), where the global magnetization requires a further inspection step and succeeding demagnetization, the presented prototype only locally magnetize the surface area in the vicinity of the GMR Sensors. For the local magnetization, the applied sub-surface magnetic field was simulated and proofed for detecting flaws with a depth of a few 10 µm. By multiplexing the sensor array with an adapted read out electronics we quasi simultaneously detect the normal field component of about 100µm above the surface. The detection of artificial notches with a depth of 40 µm and more could be resolved with a SNR better than 20 dB. The presented testing facility is fast and provides a step towards automated testing of safety relevant steel components.
Eddy Current Technique is a powerful method for detection of surface notches and of buried flaws during inspection of metallic parts. Recent EC array probes have demonstrated a fast and efficient control of large surfaces. Nevertheless, when the size of flaws decreases or the defect is rather deep, traditional winding coil probes turn out to be useless. Magnetoresistive sensors present the advantages of flat frequency response and micron size. These sensors are hence very attractive for the detection of buried defects that require low frequencies because of skin depth effect. An optimization of the probe with magnetoresistive sensors as receivers has been made by simulations using CIVA software and finite elements methods with OPERA. EC probes for buried flaw detection have been designed. Experimental results have been compared with simulations.
Size adapted GMR arrays for the automated inspection of surface breaking cracks in roller bearings
(2014)
Their small size together with a remarkable field sensitivity are the most prominent features of present-day GMR sensors paving the way for various applications in automated non-destructive testing (NDT). This work presents a prototype for fast and automated magnetic testing of roller bearings. A local magnetization unit excites the magnetic field inside the bearing. As a result of a design study and the following wafer fabrication the probe was equipped with NDT-adapted GMR sensor arrays in which 48 elements measures the field response. The detection of artificial and 40 µm deep defects could be resolved with a SNR better than 20 dB. In addition, we report of first results of a POD (Probability of Detection) analysis using GMR sensors to investigate bearings with EDM (electronic discharge machining) notches having depths down to 10 µm. Finally, we estimate successfully the depth of a 57 µm notch from the measured data.
GMR sensors are widely used in many industrial segments such as information technology, automotive, automation and production, and safety applications. Each area requires an adaption of the sensor arrangement in terms of size adaption and alignment with respect to the field source involved. This paper deals with an analysis of geometric sensor parameters and the arrangement of GMR sensors providing a design roadmap for non-destructive testing (NDT) applications. For this purpose we use an analytical model simulating the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) distribution of surface breaking defects and investigate the flux leakage signal as a function of various sensor parameters. Our calculations show both the influence of sensor length and height and that when detecting the magnetic flux leakage of µm sized defects a gradiometer base line of 250 µm leads to a signal strength loss of less than 10% in comparison with a magnetometer response. To validate the simulation results we finally performed measurements with a GMR magnetometer sensor on a test plate with artificial µm-range cracks. The differences between simulation and measurement are below 6%. We report on the routes for a GMR gradiometer design as a basis for the fabrication of NDT-adapted sensor arrays. The results are also helpful for the use of GMR in other application when it comes to measure positions, lengths, angles or electrical currents.
GMR sensors are increasingly used for magnetic surface inspection due to their high
sensitivity and high spatial resolution. In case of simple planar or cylindrical shaped
components, the GMR-based inspection procedure can be automated easily. In order to
reduce the inspection time we present a GMR-based NDT-system consisting of a yoke
and a coil as a local magnetization unit. This way the global magnetization step and, if
necessary, the corresponding demagnetization cycle can be avoided reducing the
number of working steps. Using a local probe we measured plates, bearings, and rails,
each of which containing real fatigue cracks and reference artificial cracks of different
depths and orientations. Cracks with a depth of 40 ìm could be resolved with a signalto-
noise ratio of about 20. A reduction of the measuring time can be obtained using a
sensor array. We present an optimized sensor array for nondestructive testing
application, where gradiometric arranged GMR layers were fabricated on a board with
up to 48 GMR sensors. Each sensor detects the vertical field gradient. In our example
the baseline was chosen to be 250 ìm which efficiently suppress external background
fields without losing sensitivity for the detection of surface breaking defects.
GMR sensors are increasingly used for magnetic surface inspection due to their high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. In case of simple planar or cylindrical shaped components, the GMR-based inspection procedure can be automated easily. We present GMR measurements of real fatigue cracks. In addition, we present a probe design using a local magnetization unit and commercially available GMR sensors. The design was carried out by means of finite-element method (FEM) simulations. Using the local probe we measured bearings containing artificial reference cracks of different depths and orientations. Cracks with a depth of 40 µm could be resolved with a signal-to-noise ratio better than 6. A further reduction of the measuring time can be obtained using a sensor array. For this purpose we present a study of the optimized size of the sensing GMR-layers for a NDE-adapted sensor array. The geometric sensor parameters were investigated through simulations of the magnetic flux leakage of surface cracks using an analytic model.
High-precision magnetic field sensors are of increasing interest in non destructive testing (NDT). In particular GMR-sensors (giant magneto resistance) are qualified because of their high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio and high spatial resolution. We performed magnetic flux leakage measurements of artificial cracks with a GMR-gradiometer and a 3-axes GMR-magnetometer. Cracks of a depth of 44 μm still could be detected with a sufficient high signal-to-noise ratio. A semi-analytic magnetic dipole model was used for swiftly predicting magnetic stray fields. The reliable reconstruction based on measurements of artificial rectangular-shaped defects is demonstrated.