What is eddy current testing?
Eddy current testing is a method that uses electromagnetic waves to measure certain material characteristics of metals. Electrical currents are caused to flow in the metal under test by placing a suitably connected probe near the material. The closer the better. Certain material characteristics affect the flow of these currents and the changes are detected by an electronic instrument, which is something like a sophisticated radio. The probe is not unlike an antenna as it both sends energy and receives signals from the metal. With this method, one can detect various types of flaws, probe to material spacing, certain characteristics of the material and numerous other things. Of course, for aluminum tank inspection, we are mainly interested in the detection of what is commonly referred to as SUSTAINED LOAD CRACKING (SLC).
