NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

(from left to right) Airman 1st Class Courtney Harrah and Airman 1st Class Clarence Tobias, 5th Maintenance Group non-destructive inspection apprentices, perform a Magnetic Particle inspection on the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. The fluorescent magnetic particles used on the brake pad will "fluoresce" under a black light, providing a contrast with the part and allowing identification of any flaws. A crack indication will usually present itself as a thin, continuous, jagged line. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

A field indicator is used to ensure the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress have been properly demagnetized during a Magnetic Particle Inspection at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. Once a Magnetic Particle inspection has been completed, the part must be demagnetized as residual magnetization can interfere with aircraft instrumentation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

(from left to right)Airman 1st Class Courtney Harrah and Airman 1st Class Clarence Tobias, 5th Maintenance Group non-destructive inspection apprentices, magnetize the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress during a Magnetic Particle inspection at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. To magnetize a part, it is either placed in the stationary magnetic particle inspection unit or a portable magnet (referred to as a parker probe) is used. While the part is being magnetized, the inspector will apply the magnetic particle bath/vehicle which contains fluorescent magnetic particles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

Airman 1st Class Courtney Harrah, 5th Maintenance Group non-destructive inspection apprentice, checks the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress with a field indicator, during a Magnetic Particle inspection, to ensure they have been properly demagnetized at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. To demagnetize the part, a parker probe is placed on an alternating current and then energized while the inspector pulls the magnet away from the part. This will reduce the magnetic field in the part to near zero. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

A demagnetization procedure is performed on the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. Once a Magnetic Particle inspection has been completed, the part must be demagnetized as residual magnetization can interfere with aircraft instrumentation. To demagnetize the part, a parker probe is placed on an alternating current and then energized while the inspector pulls the magnet away from the part. This will reduce the magnetic field in the part to near zero. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

Fluorescent magnetic particles glow under black light during a Magnetic Particle Inspection on the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. The fluorescent magnetic particles used on the brake pad provide a contrast with the part and allowing identification of any flaws. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

A small magnifying glass is used to verify flaw indications found on the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress during a Magnetic Particle inspection at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. A crack indication on a flawed part will usually present itself as a thin, continuous, jagged line. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

(from left to right) Airman 1st Class Clarence Tobias and Airman 1st Class Courtney Harrah, 5th Maintenance Group non-destructive inspection apprentices, remove fluorescent magnetic particles from the brake pads of a B-52H Stratofortress during a Magnetic Particle inspection at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. The fluorescent magnetic particles used in a magnetic particle bath are attracted to the leakage fields created by discontinuities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnitization

Fluorescent magnetic particles are removed from the plate backing of brake pads for a B-52H Stratofortress during a Magnetic Particle inspection at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 21, 2014. If the particles are not removed, they may be harmful to the part when subject to further use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan)

NDI; Magnificent Magnetization

Published Jan. 27, 2014
By Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Nondestructive Inspection Lab at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., provides inspection and technical support on all assigned B-52H Stratofortresses, UH-1N's, Aerospace Ground Equipment and various agencies. NDI utilizes five different methods including fluorescent penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic, and x-ray to determine the structural integrity of aircraft components and support equipment. The NDI Lab is also enrolled in the DoD Joint Oil Analysis Program and provides spectrometric oil analysis support on aircraft engine oil to identify and determine wear-metal trends and oil contamination. The Magnetic Particle method is used to detect surface and near surface discontinuities, such as cracks, in parts that can be magnetized. This process establishes a field leakage site on the surface of the part below which the flaw lies. A crack indication will usually present itself as a thin, continuous, jagged line.

To view a photo slide show of NDI please follow this link. NDI slideshow