What types of defects can eddy current testing commonly detect?

Eddy current testing is particularly effective in detecting various types of defects, including cracks, corrosion, and discontinuities. This method works by inducing electrical currents in conductive materials, and variations in these currents can indicate the presence of defects.

Cracks and discontinuities in the material disrupt the flow of the eddy currents, leading to measurable changes in impedance, which can be identified and analyzed. Furthermore, eddy current testing is also sensitive to material changes that arise due to corrosion, as corrosion can alter the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic properties of materials. This makes it an excellent choice for assessing the integrity of metallic components in structures and systems where these types of defects are critical for safety and performance.

The other options include limitations that do not align with the strengths of eddy current testing. For instance, the notion that only surface defects can be detected overlooks the technique's ability to identify certain subsurface issues through sensitivity adjustments, although it is primarily utilized for surface and near-surface evaluations. Similarly, the reference to only magnetic defects restricts the technique to ferromagnetic materials, ignoring its application on non-ferromagnetic conductive materials. Lastly, defects in non-conductive materials are outside the scope of eddy current testing as it requires conductivity to generate ed