Eddy current testing detects discontinuities in which type of materials?

Eddy current testing detects discontinuities in which type of materials?

• A. Ferrous metals
• B. Non-ferrous metals
• C. Plastics
• D. Ceramics

Answer: (C)

Eddy current testing uses electromagnetic induction to create eddy currents in a conductive material. A flaw or discontinuity disrupts the flow of these currents, causing a change in the impedance that the probe detects, which indicates a defect. Because plastics and ceramics do not conduct electricity, they won’t sustain eddy currents in the same way, so this method isn’t effective for them. Therefore, eddy current testing targets conductive metals—both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys—detecting surface and near-surface discontinuities in those materials.

Eddy current testing uses electromagnetic induction to create eddy currents in a conductive material. A flaw or discontinuity disrupts the flow of these currents, causing a change in the impedance that the probe detects, which indicates a defect.

Because plastics and ceramics do not conduct electricity, they won’t sustain eddy currents in the same way, so this method isn’t effective for them.

Therefore, eddy current testing targets conductive metals—both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys—detecting surface and near-surface discontinuities in those materials.