Magnetofluidic testing of rock cutting knives

The nondestructive testing of cutting knives consists in the determination of nonuniformity of a magnetic fluid layer applied on the horizontally placed surface of the magnetized cutting plate of the knife. A low constant magnetic field was applied perpendicular to the knife surface and a uniform magnetic fluid layer was applied. The defects as nonuniform brass layer, fissures or small cavities between the cutting plate and knife core determine the apparition of magnetic field gradients and therefore magnetic forces acting on the magnetic fluid which migrates to the zones with higher magnetic field intensity. After several minutes, a nonuniform layer of magnetic fluid was directly observed. Quantitative results, concerning the position and dimensions of the defect, were obtained by computer aided processing of the magnetic fluid layer image. Experimental data for several cutting knives are presented in the paper.