What is a potential consequence of inadequate surface preparation prior to Magnetic Particle Testing?

Inadequate surface preparation prior to Magnetic Particle Testing can lead to false indications or missed defects. Proper surface preparation is essential because any contaminants such as dirt, oil, paint, or corrosion can interfere with the magnetic field and the visibility of the magnetic particles. When the surface of the material is not clean and properly prepared, the magnetic particles may be attracted to areas that are not defects, resulting in false indications. Additionally, these contaminants can mask genuine defects, causing them to be missed altogether during the inspection process. This highlights the critical importance of ensuring that the test surface is adequately prepared to achieve accurate and reliable results in magnetic particle testing.