Evaluation of Surface Crack and Blind Crack by Induced Current Focusing Potential Drop(ICFPD) Technique

In the life management safety evaluation of constructs base on a fracture mechanics, the size of defect is the very important parameter. ICFPD (Induced Current Focusing Potential Drop)technique has been developed for detecting and sizing of defects that exist not only on surface but also inside and interior of structural components. The principle of this technique is to induce a focusing current at an exploration region by a straight induction wire through which an alternating current (AC)flows that has constant amplitude and frequency. The potential distributed on the surface of metallic material is measured by potential pick-up pins that are settled on the probe. In this paper, this NDI technique was applied to the evaluation of surface cracks and blind cracks in plate specimens. The results of this study show that in the case of surface crack, the distribution of potential drop is varied with the inched angle of surface crack, and the potential drops in the crack region and the crack edge region are varied with the inclined angle and depth of crack. The distribution of potential drop for the blind crack is distinguished from that for the surface crack, and the potential drop in the crack region is varied with the depth of crack