Magnaflux crack inspection for iron and steel parts
Magnaflux is magnetic particle inspection. It shows surface and near-surface cracks in iron and steel parts so you know the part is sound before you weld it, rebuild it or put it back in service.
- Built from your specifications, drawings or samples
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- Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform
- Reno shop, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Stock photo: measuring a part with a caliper at an inspection bench
A crack you cannot see is the most expensive kind. We do magna fluxing at our Reno shop and use it ahead of repairs where a crack would change the plan: a shaft that failed, a housing that took a shock load, a weld repair on a casting. The method works on magnetic metals, which covers most steel and cast iron parts that come through the shop.
At a glance
- Finds surface and near-surface cracks
- For iron and steel parts
- Done before repair welds and rebuilds
- Finds cracks at or just under the surface
Love working with these guys, and gal. Great customer service and knowledgeable skill base. They have helped with many big projects and have always pulled though when our machines went down.
How magnetic particle inspection works
The part is magnetized. A crack at the surface interrupts the magnetic field and makes it leak out of the metal. Fine iron particles, applied dry or in a liquid, gather at that leak and draw a line right over the crack. Under good light, a crack that was invisible shows up as a clear mark.
Magnetic particle testing finds cracks at or just under the surface of iron and steel. It does not size a crack deep inside a thick part, so when a crack shows up we look at the part with you and decide whether to repair it or make a new one.
Magnetic metals
The method relies on the metal carrying a magnetic field, so it is for iron, carbon steel, alloy steel and tool steel. That is the bulk of industrial shafts, pins, housings and gear parts, which is where inspection earns its keep.
Where it fits in a job
Inspection comes first, because it decides the repair. A crack at a keyway or a shoulder may call for a new shaft instead of a rebuilt one. A crack in a casting is ground out and welded before any machining. Our guide on repair or replace uses crack checks as the first step.
The check is part of the rebuild for pump and turbine shafts, gearbox parts and crusher parts.
Reading the result
A crack shows up as a sharp, narrow line of particles. A scratch or machining mark shows up less sharply, and a change in the shape of the part can show up as a broad fuzzy band. Telling them apart comes from looking at many parts. You get a plain answer on what was found, where it runs and what it means for the repair.
What to send
Leave the part unwashed if the break is fresh, or note how it failed. Photos, the part name and what it does help us plan. Call (775) 359-5570 or attach them to the quote request.
Sources
When to have a part checked
- Before weld repair on a cracked casting or frame
- After a shaft, pin or housing has failed in service
- Before a costly rebuild, so you do not rebuild a cracked part
- After a repair weld, to confirm the crack is gone
- Parts that carry shock or fatigue load
Typical parts
- Shafts and pins
- Housings and castings
- Housings and castings
- Welded repairs
How to send us the job
Have a print? Attach it to the quote request. No print? Photos of every face, the sizes you know and the machine the part came from are a good start, and you can bring the part in.
Related
Questions about this service
From the shop
Work from the shop
Straight answers
Magnaflux crack inspection questions
Still have a question? Call (775) 359-5570, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Does Magnaflux find cracks inside the part?
It finds cracks at the surface and just under it. It is the right method for surface-breaking cracks in steel and iron.
Do I need to strip the paint off first?
Heavy coatings, rust and grease are cleaned from the area being checked. Send photos of the part as it is and we will say what needs to be done.
Send us the job
Request a quote
Tell us what you need, attach a drawing or photos of the part, and we will get back to you during shop hours. Free consultations; prompt estimates.
- From your specifications, drawings or samples. We can also assist you in designing your product or part.
- Free consultations and prompt estimates
- Stands behind the work: Our rates are very competitive and our quality is second-to-none. Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform.
- Company accounts: all major credit cards, or we can open an account for your company
Shop hours Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Send your request any time and we will get back to you during shop hours.
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