Effects of contact gap on nondestructive evaluation using magnetic measurement for ferromagnetic steel

We investigated effects of contact gap on magnetic nondestructive evaluation technique using a magnetic single-yoke probe. Firstly, we evaluated hysteresis curves and impedance related to permeability of the material measured by a single-yoke probe, when an air gap length between the probe and specimens changes. The hysteresis curve gradually inclines to the axis of the magneto-motive force and magneto-motive force at which the magnetic flux is 0 decreases with increasing the gap length. The effective permeability also decreases with increasing the gap thickness. The incremental of gap thickness increases the reluctance inside the magnetic circuit composed of the yoke, specimen and gap, which results in the reduction of flux applying to specimen.