🔩 Magnetic particle testing of castings of ferromagnetic cast iron and cast steel — SM, LM and AM indications, severity levels assessed in a frame of 105 mm × 148 mm; PN-EN 1369:2013-04 (EN 1369:2012)

Materials and NDT PN-EN 1369:

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN card of PN-EN 1369:2013-04 (the same description is on the card of the German version and on the card of the withdrawn PN-EN 1369:2002), in full (our translation): "This European Standard applies to magnetic particle testing of castings of ferromagnetic cast iron and cast steel. Acceptance criteria are given by means of severity levels determined by the character, area and dimensions of the discontinuities present. This standard applies to all ferromagnetic castings, irrespective of the casting method. An iron or steel casting is ferromagnetic when, for a magnetic field strength of 24 kA/m, its magnetic induction is higher than 1 T (Tesla). It applies only to those castings which are designated for testing and to that percentage of castings which is subject to testing" (no full stop on the card). NOTE ON THE NUMBER: the text of EN 1369:2012 gives, in the note to clause 1, for the same definition a field strength of 2.4 kA/m, not 24 kA/m; we have not established where the difference in the description on the card comes from. We read the content of the method in the sample extract of EN 1369:2012 (Slovenian edition SIST EN 1369:2013, English text) from the cover to clause 6.3, with the table of contents; we do not have Tables 1–3, clauses 7–8 or Annexes A–F.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 1369:2012 (foreword, introduction, clauses 1–4). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 190 "Foundry technology" (secretariat DIN), working group WG 11 "Surface inspection"; the edition replaced EN 1369:1996, and the significant technical changes are listed in Annex F, which we do not have. The standard supplements the general principles of EN ISO 9934-1 with requirements for castings, and the test is part of the assessment of casting quality agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of acceptance of the order. References (2): EN ISO 9712 (qualification of personnel), EN ISO 3059 (viewing conditions), EN ISO 9934-1 (general principles) and EN ISO 9934-2 (detection media). Conditions (3): the production stage at which the casting is tested, the surfaces tested and the percentage or number of castings are agreed at the time of the order; the sensitivity depends on the method chosen; the order specifies at least the method (type of detection medium) and whether the casting is to be demagnetized after testing (maximum permissible residual field), and for each area tested — the type of discontinuity and the severity level, which may be different for different areas. Reference figures are only an aid; in case of dispute the tables decide. Performance (4): procedure according to EN ISO 9934-1, detection media according to EN ISO 9934-2; unless otherwise agreed, magnetization is carried out successively in two perpendicular directions, so that each discontinuity crosses the flux in at least one of them; when the direction of stresses is known, one direction is sufficient; the magnetic image need not correspond to a discontinuity, because spurious indications appear. Personnel — qualified according to EN ISO 9712 or an equivalent certification system, unless otherwise agreed. Surface — clean, free from rust, sand, scale, remains of moulding material and mould coatings, oil and grease; sand blasting or shot blasting as light as possible, so as not to close discontinuities; for contrast it may be painted; finish according to Table 3, and for assessing it the standard recommends a visual-tactile roughness comparator instead of an instrument (EN 1370). Viewing with the naked eye or at a magnification of at most 3×, under conditions according to EN ISO 3059.

HOW INDICATIONS ARE CLASSIFIED (clauses 5–6). Discontinuities typical of castings are listed in Annex B (designations A, B, C, D, E, F, H and K). The type of indication is decided by the ratio of its length L to its width W: non-linear SM — L less than 3W; linear LM — L equal to 3W or greater; aligned AM — non-linear indications, when there are at least three at distances smaller than 2 mm, or linear ones, when the distance between two indications is smaller than the length of the longest in the line; such a sequence is counted as one indication with a total length from the beginning of the first to the end of the last. The severity levels for SM (Table 1) are defined by: the smallest length considered L1, if necessary the largest total area of indications in a frame of 105 mm × 148 mm (A6 format) and the largest length L2; for LM and AM (Table 2) — L1 and the largest length L2, individual or cumulative. The tables are independent; the designation in the order has the form e.g. SM 2 or LM 5/AM 5. Assessment: the frame of 105 mm × 148 mm is placed at the least favourable location; for SM only indications longer than L1 are considered, at most two indications of the largest length from Table 1 are allowed and the area of the indications is summed (when the surface of the casting is smaller than the frame — proportionally less); for LM and AM the sum of the lengths of the indications in the frame is compared with the "cumulative" length from Table 2. SM 5 and AM 7/LM 7 are the levels of the largest indications, SM 001, AM 001 and LM 001 — of the smallest. The casting conforms to the standard when the level found is equal to or better than the one ordered.

STATUS (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026). PN-EN 1369:2013-04 — English version (publication 30-04-2013) and German version (publication 04-11-2013), both without a withdrawal label: title "Founding -- Magnetic particle testing" (our translation), 26 pages, price group M, Metallurgy Sector, KT 301 Foundry, "Introduces: EN 1369:2012 [IDT]", "Replaces: PN-EN 1369:2002 - Polish version", ICS 77.180 and 19.100. The Polish version PN-EN 1369:2002 (publication 23-12-2002, 24 pages, it introduced EN 1369:1996) has the label "Withdrawn and replaced by PN-EN 1369:2013-04 - English version, PN-EN 1369:2013-04 - German version" and the withdrawal date 30-04-2013. PKN search, term "EN 1369" (08.10.2026): 42 items, four with the number 1369 — two versions of the 2013 edition and two (Polish and English) of the withdrawn 2002 edition. The current edition has no Polish version.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database and current PCA documents, read on 08.10.2026). The number appears in 14 records at 10 laboratories; in the current PCA documents (issues from 23.04.2025 to 02.09.2026) — in 14 entries at the same laboratories; none is suspended (the suspension of part of the scope of AB 197 from 15.06.2026 does not cover this entry). Notations: "PN-EN 1369:2013-04" — 11 entries at 7 laboratories (AB 001 five entries, all marked with an asterisk, i.e. with opinions and interpretations; AB 197, AB 313, AB 1336, AB 1505, AB 1827, AB 1978 one each); "PN-EN 1369" without a year — AB 369, AB 608 and AB 904. In the same cell of reference documents there is PN-EN ISO 9934-1 at six laboratories (AB 001, AB 197, AB 1827, AB 1978 — with the year 2017-02; AB 369, AB 904 — without a year), at AB 904 also PN-EN ISO 3059, and at AB 369 — PN-EN ISO 17638 (welded joints) and PN-EN 10228-1 (forgings) with the subject "Metal structural products and materials". The "Laboratories" tab searches for records beginning with "PN-EN 1369:" and shows 7 laboratories (11 entries) — it does NOT show AB 369, AB 608 and AB 904, which write the number without a year. The term without the colon would show 14 laboratories, including four with standards of another number (PN-EN 13696, PN-EN 13697, PN-EN 13698 — AB 053, AB 079, AB 1531, AB 1977); that is why the entry searches with the colon.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA documents). Quantity: surface and subsurface discontinuities (8 laboratories) or only surface ones (AB 369, AB 904); AB 313 adds "lying at a depth not greater than 2 mm". Subject: castings of ferromagnetic materials (AB 001, AB 197, AB 904), castings of ferromagnetic cast iron and cast steel (AB 313, AB 608, AB 1505), ferromagnetic iron and steel castings (AB 1978), ferromagnetic steel castings (AB 1827), "Castings" without further specification (AB 1336); at AB 369 — metal structural products and materials, in one entry with standards for welded joints and forgings. Technique: magnetic particle method — all entries.

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — the severity level belongs to the order: the standard does not give one criterion for all castings; the casting conforms when the level found is equal to or better than the one ordered, so a result without the ordered level (e.g. SM 2, LM 5/AM 5) and without an indication of the area of the casting does not say whether the requirement is met. Second — the edition: the LM and AM levels of the 1996 edition (its Table 3) are converted to the levels of the 2012 edition (Table 2) according to Table A.1 in Annex A; a specification written according to the old edition requires conversion, and the notation of the number without a year (AB 369, AB 608, AB 904) does not say which edition is meant. Third — the reference figures of Annexes C and D are only an aid; in case of dispute the tables decide. Fourth — the direction of magnetization: by default two perpendicular ones; one direction is permissible only when the direction of stresses is known. Fifth — surface preparation: too strong sand blasting or shot blasting may close discontinuities, and the casting then looks free of indications. Sixth — the number in the definition of a ferromagnetic casting: 2.4 kA/m in the text of the standard, 24 kA/m in the description on the PKN card.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have Tables 1–3 (values of L1, L2 and areas for the individual levels, required surface finish), clause 7 (cleaning after testing and demagnetization), clause 8 (report) or Annexes A–F (table of conversion of levels, types of discontinuities, reference figures, report template, changes compared with the 1996 edition). The extract read does not give magnetization parameters — it refers to EN ISO 9934-1, described in a separate entry of this database.

Method principle

A casting of ferromagnetic cast iron or cast steel is magnetized and a detection medium is applied; surface and subsurface discontinuities give magnetic particle indications. Procedure and media — according to EN ISO 9934-1 and EN ISO 9934-2; unless otherwise agreed, magnetization is carried out successively in two perpendicular directions. Indications are divided by the ratio of length L to width W into non-linear (SM, L < 3W), linear (LM, L ≥ 3W) and aligned (AM), assessed in a frame of 105 mm × 148 mm placed at the least favourable location and compared with the severity level from the order (EN 1369:2012, clauses 4–6).

Applications

• Castings of ferromagnetic cast iron and cast steel — detection of surface and subsurface discontinuities; in the current accreditation scopes 10 laboratories, 14 entries
• Acceptance of a casting against the severity level from the order (e.g. SM 2, LM 5/AM 5), set separately for each area tested
• Testing at the agreed production stage, on the agreed surfaces and on the agreed percentage or number of castings (clause 3)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 1369:2013-04 (wersja angielska i wersja niemiecka; wprowadza EN 1369:2012 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Odlewnictwo — Badania magnetyczno-proszkowe

Title (EN)

Founding — Magnetic particle testing

Step-by-step procedure

1. Provisions in the order

   Agree the production stage, the surfaces tested and the percentage or number of castings; in the order state at least the type of detection medium, the demagnetization requirement (maximum residual field), and for each area — the type of discontinuity and the severity level (clause 3).

2. Personnel

   The test is performed by personnel qualified according to EN ISO 9712 or an equivalent certification system, unless otherwise agreed (4.2).

3. Surface preparation

   Clean off rust, sand, scale, remains of moulding material and mould coatings, oil and grease; sand blast or shot blast as lightly as possible so as not to close discontinuities; if necessary paint for contrast; finish according to Table 3 (4.3).

4. Magnetization and viewing

   Procedure according to EN ISO 9934-1, media according to EN ISO 9934-2; magnetize successively in two perpendicular directions (one direction only when the direction of stresses is known); view with the naked eye or at a magnification of at most 3×, under conditions according to EN ISO 3059 (4.1, 4.4).

5. Classification of indications

   Measure the length L and the width W of the indications and classify them as SM, LM or AM (5.2); place the frame of 105 mm × 148 mm at the least favourable location; for SM sum the area of indications longer than L1, for LM and AM — their lengths, and compare with Tables 1 and 2 (6.1); WE DO NOT GIVE the values of the tables.

6. Assessment

   The casting conforms when the severity level found is equal to or better than the one ordered; reference figures only as an aid — in case of dispute the tables decide (3, 6.3).

7. After testing

   Cleaning, demagnetization (clause 7) and the report (clause 8) — we do not have these clauses, WE DO NOT GIVE their content.

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• Safety requirements concerning magnetization equipment, detection media and lighting are in the referenced standards (EN ISO 9934-1, EN ISO 9934-2, EN ISO 3059); we do not quote them here
• TECHNICAL NOTE: without the ordered severity level (e.g. SM 2, LM 5/AM 5) the result says nothing about conformity; LM and AM levels from the 1996 edition are converted to the 2012 edition according to Annex A; in the definition of a ferromagnetic casting the text of the standard gives 2.4 kA/m and the description on the PKN card 24 kA/m

Frequently asked questions