LAUSR

Abstract This paper presents a novel approach for estimation of the diameters and depths of the adjacent pittings using combination of three axial MFL signal components and a multi-valued calibration surface. Since closely-spaced pittings influence each other, accelerate the corrosion growth rates, and are finally combined to one cluster, it’s meaningful to discriminate multiple adjacent pittings from single pittings by analyzing their properties. The study is carried out using extensive 3D finite element analysis focusing on the spatial distribution of MFL components generated by adjacent corrosion pits. Various types of adjacent pittings with different depths are considered by modifying the separation distance between two pits. Besides, MFL signals from experimental measurements of adjacent pittings are obtained and the interaction between signals will be studied. Finally, quantitative estimation of adjacent pittings is analyzed in detail and the improvements in characterization of defects that resulted from this investigation are reported.