Investigating the fatigue failure characteristics of A283 Grade C steel using magnetic flux detection

The Metal Magnetic Memory (MMM) method is a non-destructive testing method based on an analysis of the self-magnetic leakage field distribution on the surface of a component. It is used for determining the stress concentration zones or any irregularities on the surface or inside the components fabricated from ferrous-based materials. Thus, this paper presents the MMM signal behaviour due to the application of fatigue loading. A series of MMM data measurements were performed to obtain the magnetic leakage signal characteristics at the elastic, pre-crack and crack propagation regions that might be caused by residual stresses when cyclic loadings were applied onto the A283 Grade C steel specimens. It was found that the MMM method was able to detect the defects that occurred in the specimens. In addition, a justification of the Self Magnetic Flux Leakage patterns is discussed for demonstrating the effectiveness of this method in assessing the A283 Grade C steel under cyclic loadings.