For many years, magnetic test methods have been used in the area of strip steel inspection for online determination of the mechanical-technological characteristics of strip steel. This notably concerns the continuous development of steels against the background of strict legal requirements with regard to CO2 savings and the closely related topic of lightweight construction. It is just these developments which prove to be a great challenge for the nondestructive inspection. Dr. Klaus Szielasko, team leader at Fraunhofer IZFP: “In the context of the Fraunhofer Carnot* project MAGNUS Fraunhofer IZFP and the French project partner CETIM CARNOT develop a hardware solution with focus on a cost-saving device and sensor concept to allow for the use of multiple sensors at different positions at affordable costs. MAGNUS is a synthesis of Magnetic and UltraSound – a combination of micromagnetic and ultrasound-based materials characterization for the determination of material properties, which are crucial for the stability, ductility and weldability of sheet steel."

A demonstrator including two sensors is assembled and currently under test. The project runs out in January 2015. Until then, practical experiences shall be gained in close collaboration with the French partner and the project-related industry experts, including first steps to initiate working groups for further development of combined macromagnetics/ultrasound application.

* In the frame of the programme Inter Carnot Fraunhofer, R&D projects are supported in close collaboration with the French CARNOT institutes. The programme is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and by the French National Research Agency. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and by the French National Research Agency.

Photo: Hybrid micromagnetics/ultrasound inspection system © Uwe Bellhäuser

For further information:
Dr.-Ing. Klaus Szielasko | Fraunhofer-Institut für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfverfahren IZFP | Phone +49 681 9302- 3888 | Campus E3.1 | 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany | www.izfp.fraunhofer.de | klaus.szielasko@izfp.fraunhofer.de