ASTM E3024/E3024M-22a PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM E3024/E3024M‑22a — Standard Practice for Magnetic Particle Testing for General Industry. This practice establishes minimum requirements for magnetic particle testing used to detect surface or slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials for industrial applications, and it is intended to be used with appropriate written procedures and complementary guides where needed.

Abstract

ASTM E3024/E3024M‑22a defines the basic parameters and controls for magnetic particle inspection (MPI) in general industry, covering preparation of parts, magnetization methods (including AC, DC, half‑wave, full‑wave rectified, capacitor discharge and permanent magnets when approved), particle application methods (wet fluorescent and dry/nonfluorescent), equipment performance verification, lighting requirements, demagnetization, and evaluation of indications. The practice references related guides and standards for terminology and specialized applications.

General information

• Status: Current (active) standard (revision level 22a).
• Publication date: March 15, 2022 (published March 2022; edition marked 22a).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: Non‑destructive testing of metals — ICS 77.040.20 (NDT of metals / magnetic particle testing category).
• Edition / version: E3024/E3024M‑22a (2022, revision "a").
• Number of pages: 20 pages (standard document length for the 22a edition).

Key bibliographic points above are taken from the ASTM document summary and commercial standards catalogues.

Scope

The practice establishes minimum requirements for magnetic particle testing for detection of cracks, laps, seams, inclusions, and similar surface or slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials used in industrial applications. It is not intended for aerospace‑specific applications (see Practice E1444/E1444M for aerospace) and does not apply to non‑ferromagnetic metals (for example, austenitic stainless steels). The standard is written so it can be specified on drawings or contracts but must be supplemented by a detailed written procedure for examination personnel.

Key topics and requirements

• Preparation of parts: cleaning, pre‑examination demagnetization when required, and masking/plugging where specified.
• Magnetization methods: AC, DC (including half‑ and full‑wave rectified), capacitor discharge, induced current, yoke and permanent magnet use (permitted when approved and documented).
• Field strength and verification: methods for determining adequate magnetic field strength (artificial discontinuities, gaussmeter measurements, notched shims), and process control/calibration requirements.
• Particle application: wet fluorescent and dry/nonfluorescent particles, suspension vehicles, slurries/paints, polymerizable systems, and application techniques (brush, spray, immersion, aerosol, etc.).
• Lighting and viewing: fluorescent inspection lighting and minimum visible‑light levels for nonfluorescent particles, plus periodic integrity and photometric checks.
• Evaluation and acceptance: criteria for interpreting indications, use of artificial discontinuities for sensitivity, recording of results, and reference to acceptance requirements when specified by purchaser or engineering documents.
• Demagnetization and safety: procedures to reduce residual magnetism and general safety/environmental considerations for particulate and suspension vehicles.
• Quality control and personnel: requirements for equipment calibration, suspension vehicle tests, and the role of qualified personnel (Level II/Level III oversight where applicable).

These topics summarize the principal technical requirements and controls prescribed by the practice.

Typical use and users

Typical users are NDT technicians, inspection engineers, quality managers, and purchasers in industries that work with ferromagnetic components—manufacturing, heavy industry, oil & gas tubular inspection, forging, welding shops, and in‑service inspection organizations. The practice is used to establish written MPI procedures, specify acceptance criteria on drawings/contracts, and to design process control and calibration regimes for shop or field MPI programs.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include Practice E1444/E1444M (magnetic particle testing for aerospace), Guide E709 (magnetic particle testing tutorial), E1316 (terminology for NDE), and sector specifications such as applicable AMS documents for magnetic particles and inspection vehicles. Users should consult those documents for specialized or industry‑specific requirements.

Keywords

magnetic particle testing; MPI; MT; NDT; nondestructive examination; nondestructive testing; fluorescent particles; nonfluorescent particles; magnetization; demagnetization; inspection; field verification; yoke; capacitor discharge.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E3024/E3024M‑22a is a 2022 ASTM Standard Practice that defines minimum requirements for magnetic particle testing applied to general industry (ferromagnetic materials) to detect surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers part preparation, magnetization techniques, particle application methods (wet and dry), equipment performance verification, lighting and sensitivity checks, demagnetization, indication evaluation, and quality control elements for industrial MPI. It is intended to be supplemented by detailed written procedures for inspection personnel.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians, Level II/III personnel, inspection engineers, quality managers, and contractors who perform or specify magnetic particle inspections on ferromagnetic components in industry.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The E3024/E3024M‑22a edition published in March 2022 is the active (22a) revision. Users should check ASTM for any subsequent revisions or work items proposing changes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — E3024/E3024M is the general‑industry counterpart to the aerospace Practice E1444/E1444M and is commonly used alongside Guide E709 and terminology/quality documents such as E1316 and E543.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Magnetic particle, MPI, MT, NDT, fluorescent particles, nonfluorescent particles, magnetization, demagnetization, inspection, sensitivity, yoke, capacitor discharge.