Magnetic Particle Inspection (Magnetic Testing or MT) is a non-destructive method for detecting defects in ferrous metals. A magnetic field created with AC or DC current is applied through the material, causing distortion in the magnetic flow at a surface or near-surface flaw.

Fine magnetic iron oxide particles, coated with a fluorescent dye and held in a suspension liquid, are attracted to the distortion in the magnetic field in the area of the defect and hold on to the edges of the defect to reveal it as a build-up of particles. The photograph at right shows an airplane crank-shaft being viewed with ultra-violet light (black light) as part of the magnetic testing process. The zoomed-view shows the presence of fatigue cracks on the plate around the crank shaft.

Superior Joining Technologies received a five year certification on March 25, 2008, for approval to ASTM E 1444-05 Standard Practice for Magnetic Particle Testing, and received our NADCAP Certification in July 2008.