What is the role of magnetic permeability in magnetic particles?

Magnetic permeability plays a significant role in magnetic particle testing by enhancing the magnetic response and sensitivity of the particles used in the examination process. When magnetic particles have high permeability, they become easily magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field, allowing them to effectively align and respond to the magnetic flux lines. This alignment increases their ability to reveal surface and near-surface discontinuities in the tested material, making defects more visible and the inspection process more effective.

The magnetization of the particles is crucial because it determines how well they can accumulate at the discontinuities, which in turn affects the contrast when viewed under suitable lighting conditions. Thus, selecting particles with optimized magnetic permeability ultimately facilitates a more effective inspection, ensuring that subtle defects can be detected.