ARTICLE 16 ASME BPVC.

V-2019

ARTICLE 16
MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE (MFL) EXAMINATION

T-1610 SCOPE or tube specimen shall have notch discontinuities ma-

chined into the inside and outside surfaces as shown in
This Article describes the Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) Figure T-1622.1.2. The depths and widths of the artificial
examination method requirements applicable for per- discontinuities should be similar to the sizes and physical
forming MFL examinations on coated and uncoated ferro- characteristics of discontinuities to be detected. If non-
magnetic materials from one surface. MFL is used in the magnetic coatings or temporary coverings will be present
examination of tube and piping to find unwelded areas during the examination, the reference specimen shall be
of longitudinal weld joints. It is also used as a post con- coated or covered with the nonmagnetic coatings or cov-
struction examination method to evaluate the condition ers representative of the maximum thickness that will be
of plate materials, such as storage tank floors, and piping encountered during the examination.
for corrosion or other forms of degradation. Other imper-
fections that may be detected are cracks, seams, incom- T-1622.2 System Verification and Function Checks.
plete fusion, incomplete penetration, dents, laps, and The manufacturer’s verification procedure shall be con-
nonmetallic inclusions, etc. ducted initially to ensure that the system is functioning
When this Article is specified by a referencing Code as designed. The functional check shall be made by scan-
Section, the MFL method described in this Article shall ning the reference plate over the range of scanning speeds
be used together with Article 1, General Requirements. to be utilized during the examination. Equipment settings
shall be documented.
T-1622.3 Performance Confirmation. A functional
T-1620 GENERAL check shall be conducted at the beginning and end of each
T-1621 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION examination, every 8 hr, or when equipment has malfunc-
REQUIREMENTS tioned and been repaired. If it is determined that the
equipment is not functioning properly, needed adjust-
The user of this Article shall be responsible for docu- ments shall be made and all areas examined since the last
mented training, qualification, and certification of person- performance check shall be reexamined.
nel performing MFL examination. Personnel performing
supplemental examinations, such as ultrasonic (UT) ex- T-1623 WRITTEN PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS
aminations, shall be qualified in accordance with the re-
T-1623.1 Requirements. MFL examination shall be
ferencing Code Section.
performed in accordance with a written procedure that
shall, as a minimum, contain the requirements listed in
T-1622 EQUIPMENT QUALIFICATION Table T-1623. The written procedure shall establish a sin-
REQUIREMENTS gle value, or range of values, for each requirement.
The equipment operation shall be demonstrated by The procedure shall address, as a minimum, the identi-
successfully completing the unit verification and function fication of imperfections, reference materials used to set
tests outlined as follows. up equipment, location and mapping of imperfections,
T-1622.1 Reference Specimen. All MFL examinations and the extent of coverage. The procedure shall address --`,``,``,,`,`,,````,`,``,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

shall have a reference plate or pipe section to ensure the the field strength of the magnets, the functioning of the
equipment is performing in accordance with the manufac- sensors, and the operation of the signal-processing unit.
turer’s specifications prior to use. The reference specimen Other examination methods that will be used to supple-
for plate shall consist of a plate that is made from a mate- ment the MFL examination shall be identified in the
rial of the same nominal thickness, product form, and procedure.
composition as the component to be examined. The plate T-1623.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure
specimen shall have notches or other discontinuities ma- qualification is specified, a change of a requirement in
chined into the bottom of the plate, as shown in Figure Table T-1623 identified as an essential variable shall re-
T-1622.1.1. The reference specimen for pipe or tubing quire requalification of the written procedure by demon-
shall consist of a pipe or tube that is made from a material stration. A change in a requirement identified as a
of the same nominal pipe or tube sizes, product form, and nonessential variable does not require requalification of
composition as the component to be examined. The pipe the written procedure. All changes of essential or

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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 16

Figure 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
1/4 (6) 1 3 .032 (0.8) .47 (12) .32 (8) .12 (3)
2 4 .032 (0.8) .62 (16) .47 (12) .32 (8) .12 (3)

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

nonessential variables from those specified within the that the MFL equipment can detect the specified imper-
written procedure shall require revision of, or an adden- fections through the maximum thickness of the tempor-
dum to, the written procedure. ary sheet or coating.
(c) If a temporary sheet or coating is applied between
the scanner and plate to provide a smooth surface, for ex-
T-1630 EQUIPMENT ample, on a heavily pitted surface, it shall be demon-
The equipment shall consist of magnets, sensor or sen- strated that the equipment can find the specified
sor array, and related electronic circuitry. A reference in- imperfections through the maximum thickness of the
dicator, such as a ruled scale or linear array of illuminated temporary sheet or coating.
light-emitting diodes, should be used to provide a means
for identifying the approximate lateral position of indica-
T-1650 CALIBRATION
tions. The equipment may be designed for manual scan-
ning or may be mo tor d riven. S oftwa re may b e The MFL equipment shall be recalibrated annually and
incorporated to assist in detection and characterization whenever the equipment is subjected to major damage
of discontinuities. following required repairs. If equipment has not been in
use for 1 year or more, calibration shall be done prior
to first use.
T-1640 REQUIREMENTS
(a) The surface shall be cleaned of all loose scale and
T-1660 EXAMINATION
debris that could interfere with the examination and
movement of the scanner. The surface should be suffi- (a) Areas to be examined shall be scanned in accor-
ciently flat to minimize excessive changes in lift-off and dance with a written procedure. Each pass of the sensing
vibration. Alternate techniques will be required to handle unit shall be overlapped in accordance with the written
variables exceeding those specified in the procedure. procedure.
(b) Cleaning may be accomplished using high-pressure (b) The unit shall be scanned manually or by a motor-
water blast or by sandblasting. If the material is coated driven system. Other examination methods may be used
and the coating is not removed, it shall be demonstrated to provide coverage in areas not accessible to MFL

391
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 ARTICLE 16 ASME BPVC.V-2019

Figure 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)

examinations, in accordance with the written procedure. T-1680 DOCUMENTATION

Typical examples of inaccessible areas in storage tanks
are lap welds and corner welds adjacent to the shell or A report of the examination shall contain the following
other obstructions, such as roof columns and sumps. information:
(c) Imperfections detected with MFL exceeding the ac- (a) plate material specification, nominal wall thickness,
ceptance standard signal shall be confirmed by supple- pipe diameter, as applicable;
mental examination(s) or be rejected. Supplemental (b) description, such as drawing/sketches, document-
examination shall be performed in accordance with writ- ing areas examined, and/or areas inaccessible;
ten procedures. (c) identification of the procedure used for the
(d) Where detection of linear imperfections is required, examination;
an additional scan shall be performed in a direction ap- (d) system detection sensitivity (minimum size of im-
proximately perpendicular to the initial scanning perfections detectable);
direction. (e) location, depth, and type of all imperfections that
meet or exceed the reporting criteria;
(f) examination personnel identity and, when required
T-1670 EVALUATION by referencing Code Section, qualification level;
(g) model and serial number of equipment utilized for
All indications shall be evaluated in accordance with
the examination, including supplemental equipment;
the referencing Code Section.
(h) date and time of examination;
(i) date and time of performance verification checks;
and
(j) supplemental methods utilized and reference to as-
sociated reports.
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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 16

Table T-1623
Requirements of an MFL Examination
Procedure
Essential Nonessential
Requirement Variable Variable
Equipment manufacturer/model X …
Sensor type: manufacturer and X …
model
Scanning speed/speed range X …
…

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Overlap X
Lift-off X …
Material examined X …
Material thickness range and X …
dimensions
Reference specimen and calibration X …
materials
Software X …
Evaluation of indications X …
Surface conditioning X …
Coating/sheet thickness X …
Performance demonstration X …
requirements, when required
Scanning technique (remote control/ … X
manual)
Scanning equipment/fixtures … X
Personnel qualification … X
requirements

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Provided by IHS under license with ASME Licensee=Khalda Petroleum/5986215001, User=Amer, Mohamed
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 07/02/2019 13:29:23 MDT