APPLICATIONS

The Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) technique was originally developed as a tool to size cracks in underwater structures where electrical contact with the testpiece was very difficult to maintain. The advantages of the technique for crack detection was soon recognised, however, and ACFM is now used for surface-breaking crack detection and sizing in a wide number of applications, particularly on painted or coated structures, or in hazardous environments. A selection of examples of applications is given below in which ACFM provides advantages compared to more conventional techniques.