Purpose of Using a Magnaflux ST700 Bulb
Author : Greg Falk | Published On : 24 Sep 2026
Skilled inspectors make sure to use the right type of nondestructive testing units when conducting a nondestructive testing (NDT) process. This particular procedure is used to evaluate the properties, condition, and integrity of the material or component. The flaws or defects of the material or its components are visible under fluorescent lights. Experienced NDT inspectors ensure that the material is not damaged or altered during the process.
The main goals of NDT with the use of NDT units include the following:
1. Detection of Defects- The material is inspected carefully to identify all flaws such as cracks, voids, corrosion, and other types of structural defects.
2. Assurance of Safety- Identifying the flaws and reporting them to the end-users helps prevent equipment failures in high-risk industries or structures. The users usually include the aeronautical industry, gas & petroleum, or manufacturing industries. Airplanes, bridges, pipelines, and power plants thus avoid mishaps and loss of expensive materials, along with lives, when NDT is not done.
3. Quality Control- The NDT inspector is responsible for verifying the manufactured materials and their components that need to undergo NDT. The welded joints are also examined closely to ensure that the surfaces on the material meet the specifications and are of the industry standards.
4. Reliability of Assets- The inspector also advises their customer about the importance of maintenance well in advance of a potential breakdown. Monitoring the wear & tear of the materials is a part of the process, too.
5. Cost-Efficiency: Regular NDT enables users to ensure affordability by keeping the critical components usable and intact instead of damaging them by using a traditional testing method.
The NDT inspectors or the companies that provide NDT procedures to their customers must be able to pick and choose the right type of nondestructive testing units depending on the materials to be tested and the kind of defects that need to be identified to ensure proper operations by the industries that need NDT. The most popular NDT units sourced and used by inspectors include the following: -
- Magnetic Particle Units- The inspector applies magnetic fields as well as iron particles to find shallow or surface-level flaws. This type of testing is required by automotive, aerospace, or heavy manufacturing industries.
- Ultrasonic Units- This type of NDT is completed by sending high-frequency sound waves into the surface of the material. The concealed internal cracks surface during the testing process. Moreover, it can also be used to measure the thickness of the wall. The materials used are usually plastic, metal, or composites. This is used to detect flaws in pipelines, structural components, and/or assembly lines.
- Liquid Penetrant Testing Kits- Fluorescent or colored dye is applied to the non-porous surfaces, which reveals the defects that are highlighted. This procedure is particularly useful for detecting flaws on non-ferrous surfaces as well as molded plastics and finished metal surfaces.
The Magnaflux ST700 bulb is often used during NDT testing as well. It is mounted at a higher level above the surface to ensure the right level of intensity during the testing process.
