Evaluation of the effect of remanence of samples for Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) measurement accuracy

Our company, an SME based in Manchester, is at the forefront of innovation in electromagnetic non-destructive testing (NDT) instruments, specifically focusing on Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) technology. Our products cater to critical sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and energy, providing vital insights into materials' properties like heat treatment, hardness, and residual stress. Despite our successes, we face a significant technical limitation: the small coils in our MBN instruments are insufficient to magnetize certain materials to their coercive point, particularly those with high residual magnetism, resulting in weak or no MBN signals. This constraint hampers our instruments' applicability, accuracy, and reliability.

To address this issue, we propose a collaborative project with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to leverage their cutting-edge scientific expertise and advanced facilities. This project aims to innovate our approach to magnetizing samples, ensuring that even materials with high residual magnetism reach the coercive point, thereby enhancing the MBN signal strength and measurement accuracy.

The innovative aspect of our project lies in the multifaceted approach we plan to adopt:

1. **Innovative Coil Design and Configuration**: We will work closely with NPL to explore and develop novel coil designs. Utilizing advanced electromagnetic modelling and simulation tools, we aim to create coils that can generate stronger magnetic fields without significantly increasing the instrument's size or power requirements.
2. **Residual Magnetism Control and Measurement**: Accurate characterization and control of residual magnetism in our samples are crucial. NPL's state-of-the-art facilities will enable us to test characteristic of metal samples precisely, such as conductivity, permeability, hysteresis loop and residual magnetism conditions. This detailed understanding will guide the optimization of our coil designs and magnetization protocols.
3. **Integrated Solution Development**: Combining innovative hardware modifications with advanced signal processing techniques, we aim to develop a holistic solution that addresses the magnetization challenges comprehensively. Through iterative design and testing, we will refine our approach to achieve optimal performance across a wide range of materials.

By overcoming the magnetization limitations, our MBN instruments will gain enhanced functionality, opening new market opportunities and maintaining our competitive edge. This project will not only fortify our market position but also contribute significantly to the broader field of NDT, advancing the UK's standing in this domain.

The anticipated outcome of this project is a new generation of MBN instruments that deliver consistent, reliable, and precise measurements, even for materials with high residual magnetism, ultimately driving productivity gains and expanding market penetration.