2010 SECTION V ARTICLE 16

ARTICLE 16
MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE (MFL) EXAMINATION

T-1610 SCOPE pipe or tube that is made from a material of the same
nominal pipe or tube sizes, product form, and composition
This Article describes the Magnetic Flux Leakage
as the component to be examined. The pipe or tube speci-
(MFL) examination method requirements applicable for
men shall have notch discontinuities machined into the
performing MFL examinations on coated and uncoated
inside and outside surfaces as shown in Fig. T-1622.1.2.
ferromagnetic materials from one surface. MFL is used in
The depths and widths of the artificial discontinuities
the examination of tube and piping to find unwelded areas
should be similar to the sizes and physical characteristics
of longitudinal weld joints. It is also used as a post construc-
of discontinuities to be detected. If nonmagnetic coatings
tion examination method to evaluate the condition of plate
or temporary coverings will be present during the examina-
materials, such as storage tank floors, and piping for corro-
tion, the reference specimen shall be coated or covered
sion or other forms of degradation. Other imperfections
with the nonmagnetic coatings or covers representative of
that may be detected are cracks, seams, incomplete fusion,
the maximum thickness that will be encountered during
incomplete penetration, dents, laps, and nonmetallic inclu-
the examination.
sions, etc.
When this Article is specified by a referencing Code T-1622.2 System Verification and Function Checks.
Section, the MFL method described in this Article shall The manufacturer’s verification procedure shall be con-
be used together with Article 1, General Requirements. ducted initially to ensure that the system is functioning as
designed. The functional check shall be made by scanning
the reference plate over the range of scanning speeds to
T-1620 GENERAL be utilized during the examination. Equipment settings
T-1621 Personnel Qualification Requirements shall be documented.

The user of this Article shall be responsible for docu- T-1622.3 Performance Confirmation. A functional
mented training, qualification, and certification of person- check shall be conducted at the beginning and end of each
nel performing MFL examination. Personnel performing examination, every 8 hr, or when equipment has malfuncti-
supplemental examinations, such as ultrasonic (UT) exami- oned and been repaired. If it is determined that the equip-
nations, shall be qualified in accordance with the referenc- ment is not functioning properly, needed adjustments shall
ing Code Section. be made and all areas examined since the last performance
check shall be reexamined.

T-1622 Equipment Qualification Requirements

T-1623 Written Procedure Requirements
The equipment operation shall be demonstrated by suc-
T-1623.1 Requirements. MFL examination shall be
cessfully completing the unit verification and function tests
performed in accordance with a written procedure that
outlined as follows.
shall, as a minimum, contain the requirements listed in
T-1622.1 Reference Specimen. All MFL examinations Table T-1623. The written procedure shall establish a sin-
shall have a reference plate or pipe section to ensure the gle value, or range of values, for each requirement.
equipment is performing in accordance with the manufac- The procedure shall address, as a minimum, the identifi-
turer’s specifications prior to use. The reference specimen cation of imperfections, reference materials used to set up
for plate shall consist of a plate that is made from a material equipment, location and mapping of imperfections, and the
of the same nominal thickness, product form, and composi- extent of coverage. The procedure shall address the field
tion as the component to be examined. The plate specimen strength of the magnets, the functioning of the sensors,
shall have notches or other discontinuities machined into and the operation of the signal-processing unit. Other
the bottom of the plate, as shown in Fig. T-1622.1.1. The examination methods that will be used to supplement the
reference specimen for pipe or tubing shall consist of a MFL examination shall be identified in the procedure.

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FIG. T-1622.1.1 REFERENCE PLATE DIMENSIONS

Plate Hole Number Step Size Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
Thickness Number of Steps D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
1/ (6) 1 3 .032 (0.8) .47 (12) .32 (8) .12 (3)
4
2 4 .032 (0.8) .62 (16) .47 (12) .32 (8) .12 (3)

5/ (8) 1 4 .032 (0.8) .62 (16) .47 (12) .32 (8) .16 (4)
16
2 5 .032 (0.8) .78 (20) .62 (16) .47 (12) .32 (8) .16 (4)

3/8 (10) 1 4 .039 (1) .78 (20) .59 (15) .39 (10) .2 (5)
2 5 .039 (1) .96 (24) .78 (20) .59 (15) .39 (10) .2 (5)

D1
30 (750)
D2
6 (150) 12 (300)

9 (225) D3 Step
Holes 1 2
Typical 3-Step Pit
18 (450)
Hole %Loss
1 40%
2 50%

GENERAL NOTE: Dimensions of references are in in. (mm).

FIG. T-1622.1.2 REFERENCE PIPE OR TUBE DIMENSIONS

Typical Block Dimensions Specific Notch Dimensions

Minimum length L 8 in. (200 mm) or 8T, Length L – 1 in. (25 mm) maximum
whichever is greater Depth D – 10% T with tolerance
Full circumference (+10% – 20%) of depth
Width – 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) maximum
Location – not closer than 3T from any
block edge or other notch in axial direction
Minimum 90 deg from adjacent notch(es)

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TABLE T-1623 Alternate techniques will be required to handle variables

REQUIREMENTS OF AN MFL EXAMINATION exceeding those specified in the procedure.
PROCEDURE (b) Cleaning may be accomplished using high-pressure
Non- water blast or by sandblasting. If the material is coated
Essential Essential and the coating is not removed, it shall be demonstrated that
Requirement Variable Variable the MFL equipment can detect the specified imperfections
Equipment manufacturer/model X ... through the maximum thickness of the temporary sheet or
Sensor type: manufacturer and model X ... coating.
Scanning speed/speed range X ... (c) If a temporary sheet or coating is applied between
Overlap X ...
the scanner and plate to provide a smooth surface, for
Lift-off X ...
Material examined X ... example, on a heavily pitted surface, it shall be demon-
Material thickness range and dimensions X ... strated that the equipment can find the specified imperfec-
Reference specimen and calibration X ... tions through the maximum thickness of the temporary
materials sheet or coating.
Software X ...
Evaluation of indications X ...
Surface conditioning X ...
Coating/sheet thickness X ... T-1650 CALIBRATION
Performance demonstration requirements, X ...
The MFL equipment shall be recalibrated annually and
when required
Scanning technique (remote control/ ... X whenever the equipment is subjected to major damage
manual) following required repairs. If equipment has not been in
Scanning equipment/fixtures ... X use for 1 year or more, calibration shall be done prior to
Personnel qualification requirements ... X first use.

T-1660 EXAMINATION
T-1623.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure (a) Areas to be examined shall be scanned in accordance
qualification is specified, a change of a requirement in with a written procedure. Each pass of the sensing unit shall
Table T-1623 identified as an essential variable shall be overlapped in accordance with the written procedure.
require requalification of the written procedure by demon- (b) The unit shall be scanned manually or by a motor-
stration. A change in a requirement identified as a nones- driven system. Other examination methods may be used
sential variable does not require requalification of the to provide coverage in areas not accessible to MFL exami-
written procedure. All changes of essential or nonessential nations, in accordance with the written procedure. Typical
variables from those specified within the written procedure examples of inaccessible areas in storage tanks are lap
shall require revision of, or an addendum to, the written welds and corner welds adjacent to the shell or other
procedure. obstructions, such as roof columns and sumps.
(c) Imperfections detected with MFL exceeding the
acceptance standard signal shall be confirmed by supple-
T-1630 EQUIPMENT mental examination(s) or be rejected. Supplemental exami-
The equipment shall consist of magnets, sensor or sensor nation shall be performed in accordance with written
array, and related electronic circuitry. A reference indica- procedures.
tor, such as a ruled scale or linear array of illuminated (d) Where detection of linear imperfections is required,
light-emitting diodes, should be used to provide a means an additional scan shall be performed in a direction approxi-
for identifying the approximate lateral position of indica- mately perpendicular to the initial scanning direction.
tions. The equipment may be designed for manual scanning
or may be motor driven. Software may be incorporated to
assist in detection and characterization of discontinuities. T-1670 EVALUATION
All indications shall be evaluated in accordance with
the referencing Code Section.
T-1640 REQUIREMENTS
(a) The surface shall be cleaned of all loose scale and
T-1680 DOCUMENTATION
debris that could interfere with the examination and move-
ment of the scanner. The surface should be sufficiently flat A report of the examination shall contain the following
to minimize excessive changes in lift-off and vibration. information:

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(a) plate material specification, nominal wall thickness, (f) examination personnel identity and, when required
pipe diameter, as applicable; by referencing Code Section, qualification level;
(b) description, such as drawing/sketches, documenting (g) model and serial number of equipment utilized for
areas examined, and/or areas inaccessible; the examination, including supplemental equipment;
(c) identification of the procedure used for the exami- (h) date and time of examination;
nation; (i) date and time of performance verification checks; and
(d) system detection sensitivity (minimum size of (j) supplemental methods utilized and reference to asso-
imperfections detectable); ciated reports.
(e) location, depth, and type of all imperfections that
meet or exceed the reporting criteria;

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