ASSESSMENT OF MAGNETIC NDT EQUIPMENT FOR WIRE ROPE

Abstract This paper presents the results of work to investigate the problems associated with the assessment of wire rope condition using magnetic non-destructive testing. Wire ropes are used in applications such as: mining, ropeways, the offshore industry and many others. Common forms of rope degradation. including broken internal and outer wires, abrasive wear and corrosion was artificially simulated on samples of typical wire rope constructions. Three available (different) sets of NDT apparatus equipped with both local fault (LF) and extended loss of metallic area (LMA) sensors were used to assess the total loss of rope metallic area. The authors report upon experiments to determine the accuracy of the three sets of apparatus. This paper presents analysis of both the area and local fault sensor signals and compares the assessment for different types of rope with typical service levels of damage and wear.