Magnetic Particle Inspection Level 2 Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common limitation of magnetic particle inspection?

1. Cannot detect subsurface defects

2. Requires highly conductive materials

3. Time-consuming process

4. Limited to ferromagnetic materials

The correct answer is: Limited to ferromagnetic materials

Magnetic particle inspection has several inherent limitations, one of the most significant being its restriction to ferromagnetic materials. This method relies on the magnetic properties of these materials to create and visualize defects. Only ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, can be magnetized effectively, enabling the inspection process to detect surface and near-surface discontinuities. When these materials are magnetized, any flaws present will disrupt the magnetic field, allowing for the visibility of such defects when magnetic particles are applied. Materials that are not ferromagnetic do not possess the necessary magnetic properties required for this inspection technique to work effectively, making it essential to focus on the appropriate materials in order to utilize magnetic particle inspection. Other choices touch upon aspects of the method but do not encompass the fundamental limitation related to the type of materials that can be inspected. While it is true that magnetic particle inspection cannot detect subsurface defects, requires certain conditions for accurate results, or might be considered time-consuming, these factors do not limit the applicability of the method to the same extent as the requirement for ferromagnetic materials.