5. Conclusions

Magnetic particle testing is based on a simple physical principle that relies on the behaviour of ferromagnetic materials subjected to an external magnetic field. It enables the detection and localization of surface and sub-surface discontinuities, provided the parts to be inspected are ferromagnetic in nature.

Designing magnetic particle testing equipment and products requires a good knowledge of magnetism and associated phenomena, chemistry (organic and inorganic), metallurgy (metals and alloys, surface treatments, heat treatments, protective treatments), associated standards and current regulations (chemical products, discharges, exposure to magnetic fields and UV radiation), sufficient knowledge of biology (phenomena involved in water treatment plants), a good understanding of certain physiological phenomena (response of the eye to the stresses of dyes, observation...