🔩 Magnetic particle inspection of seamless and welded ferromagnetic steel tubes — detection of longitudinal and transverse surface imperfections on all or part of the outside surface (by agreement also the inside near the ends) and laminar imperfections on the end faces and bevels; a.c. or d.c. magnetization, detection medium applied during magnetization, illumination of at least 500 lx or fluorescent particles under UV-A, check of the magnetization level at intervals of at most 4 h, PN-EN ISO 10893-5

Materials and NDT PN-EN ISO 10893-5

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN ISO 10893-5:2011 (English version; scope in Polish on the card), in full (our translation of the Polish card text): “Requirements are specified for magnetic particle testing of seamless and welded ferromagnetic steel tubes for the detection of surface imperfections on the whole tube and on the plain/bevelled end faces of tubes. In addition, this document can be applied, as appropriate, when it is necessary to locate surface imperfections detected by another non-destructive testing method (e.g. ultrasonic)”. We read the text of the standard in the preview of ISO 10893-5:2011 from the cover to clause 5.2.2 a) (method A — current flow, page 3); we do not have the other magnetization methods, end face testing, evaluation of indications or the test report.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF ISO 10893-5:2011 (foreword, Clauses 1–5.2.2 a). The standard was prepared by ISO/TC 17/SC 19 (technical delivery conditions for steel tubes for pressure purposes). The first edition replaces ISO 13664:1997 and ISO 13665:1997. The ISO 10893 series has 12 parts (from electromagnetic testing for leak-tightness to ultrasonic thickness testing). Scope (Clause 1): requirements for magnetic particle inspection of seamless and welded ferromagnetic steel tubes for the detection of surface imperfections on the tube body and on the end faces/bevels. Tube body — all or part of the outside surface; by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer — the inside surface over a limited length from the ends, depending on the diameter. The standard can also be used to locate external imperfections detected by another non-destructive method (e.g. ultrasonic) before dressing and to check that after dressing the imperfection has been completely removed. End faces of plain-end and bevelled-end tubes — detection of laminar imperfections that can interfere with subsequent fabrication and inspection (e.g. welding and ultrasonic testing of welds); also of imperfections other than laminar — then magnetization is applied perpendicular to their orientation. It can also apply to hollow sections. References: ISO 9712, ISO 9934-1, -2, -3 (general principles, detection media, equipment), ISO 10893-8, ISO 11484. Definitions (Clause 3): tube, seamless tube (piercing a solid product), welded tube, manufacturer, agreement. General requirements (Clause 4): inspection after completion of all primary production operations (rolling, heat treatment, cold and hot working, sizing, primary straightening), unless the product standard or an agreement specifies otherwise; the surface of the tube and end faces clean, free of oil, grease, sand, scale and other matter interfering with the interpretation of indications; the type of indications and the minimum size of detected imperfections depend on the manufacturing process and surface finish; inspection by trained operators qualified according to ISO 9712, ISO 11484 or equivalent, supervised by competent personnel nominated by the manufacturer; authorization according to a written procedure, non-destructive testing operations authorized by a level 3 individual. Method (5.1): area (body or end face) and direction (longitudinal or transverse) according to the product standard or order; inspection of all or part of the outside surface with a.c. or d.c. magnetization; on end faces dry powder only by prior agreement; otherwise ISO 9934-1, -2 and -3 apply; the detection medium is applied simultaneously with magnetization under an illumination of at least 500 lx; residual magnetism (particles after magnetization) only by prior agreement and generally not permitted for end faces; with poor contrast — white background paint; or fluorescent particles in a darkened area, UV-A source, white background light not exceeding 20 lx and irradiance of at least 10 W/m²; the required magnetization levels and current levels are outside the scope of the standard — ISO 9934-1, -2, -3 apply; during production testing the magnetization level is checked at intervals not exceeding 4 h (e.g. with a magnetic field strength meter); for end faces alternatively with a reference tube having an artificial or natural lamination on the end face, on which the manufacturer demonstrates a consistent indication. Tube body (5.2.1): circumferential magnetization — for longitudinal imperfections, along the tube axis — for transverse ones. Magnetization methods (5.2.2): a) method A — current flow (d.c., a.c., full- or half-wave rectified) between two contact areas on the tube surface, for imperfections approximately parallel to the tube axis; this is where the part we read ends.

STATUS (cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN ISO 10893-5:2011 (English version, published 28-06-2011, 10 pages, price group E) has no “Withdrawn” header: Metallurgy Sector, KT 123 Testing of Metal Properties, ICS 23.040.10, 77.040.20, “Introduces: EN ISO 10893-5:2011 [IDT], ISO 10893-5:2011 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 10246-12:2002 – Polish version, PN-EN 10246-18:2002 – Polish version”. The PKN search for “PN-EN ISO 10893-5” (02.10.2026) shows the English and German versions of the 2011 edition.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read on 02.10.2026). The number 10893-5 appears in 11 records at 7 laboratories: AB 001, AB 313, AB 608, AB 904, AB 1425, AB 1827, AB 1888. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read on 02.10.2026, issues from 21.12.2023 to 02.09.2026) the number appears at all 7: “PN-EN ISO 10893-5:2011” at AB 001 (five places in the scope, with an asterisk — tests on whose results the laboratory issues opinions and interpretations), AB 313, AB 1425, AB 1827 and AB 1888; without the year at AB 608 and AB 904 (both with the mark “E” — flexible scope of accreditation). No row is set in bold italics. The “Laboratories” tab searches for entries BEGINNING WITH “PN-EN ISO 10893-5” and shows all 7 laboratories — checked with a query of the tab on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in the PCA scopes). Ferromagnetic steel tubes — “surface and subsurface discontinuities, magnetic particle method” (at AB 313 “lying at a depth not greater than 2 mm”), at AB 904 “surface discontinuities”; in the same item usually PN-EN ISO 9934-1 (general principles), PN-EN 10228-1 (forgings), PN-EN 1369 (castings), PN-EN ISO 17638 (welded joints) and PN-EN ISO 3059 (viewing conditions, AB 904).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Direction of magnetization: longitudinal imperfections are detected by circumferential magnetization, transverse ones — along the axis; one magnetization does not show both directions. Illumination: at least 500 lx for visible particles; for fluorescent ones — UV-A at least 10 W/m² with background light not more than 20 lx. Residual magnetism: applying particles after switching off the magnetization requires prior agreement and on end faces is generally not permitted. Check: the magnetization level must be checked at least every 4 h during production testing. Stage: inspection after all primary operations, including straightening; a result from before heat treatment does not meet the standard unless otherwise agreed. Scope: the required magnetization levels follow from ISO 9934-1, -2, -3, not from this standard — an “inspection according to 10893-5” without them is incomplete.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have the other magnetization methods (apart from method A), the part on end faces and bevels, acceptance levels or the test report — so we do not give criteria for evaluating indications or the content of the report.

Method principle

A ferromagnetic tube is magnetized circumferentially (for longitudinal imperfections) or along the axis (for transverse ones) and the detection medium is applied at the same time; the leakage field above a surface imperfection collects the particles, and the indications are evaluated under at least 500 lx or under UV-A.

Applications

• Seamless and welded ferromagnetic steel tubes — 7 laboratories in the PCA scopes
• Tube end faces and bevels before welding and ultrasonic testing of welds (laminations)
• Locating imperfections found ultrasonically before dressing and confirming their removal

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN ISO 10893-5:2011 (wersje angielska i niemiecka; EN ISO 10893-5:2011 IDT, ISO 10893-5:2011 IDT)

Title (PL)

Badania nieniszczące rur stalowych — Część 5: Badanie magnetyczno-proszkowe ferromagnetycznych rur stalowych bez szwu i spawanych w celu wykrycia nieciągłości powierzchniowych

Title (EN)

Non-destructive testing of steel tubes — Part 5: Magnetic particle inspection of seamless and welded ferromagnetic steel tubes for the detection of surface imperfections

Step-by-step procedure

1. Preparation

   Tube after primary production operations; surface and end faces clean (no oil, grease, sand, scale). PN-EN ISO 10893-5:2011 current (cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Area and direction

   Body or end face, longitudinal or transverse direction according to the product standard or order; choice of circumferential or longitudinal magnetization.

3. Magnetization and particles

   Magnetization with alternating or direct current (e.g. method A), detection medium simultaneously with magnetization; levels according to ISO 9934-1, -2, -3.

4. Viewing

   Under ≥ 500 lx or in a darkened area under UV-A ≥ 10 W/m² with background ≤ 20 lx; with poor contrast — white background paint.

5. Check during production

   Check of the magnetization level at least every 4 h (field meter or reference tube for end faces).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The part of the standard we read contains no safety warnings; UV-A radiation — protective goggles; magnetization current — risk of arcing at contacts; kerosene-based suspensions — ventilation
• TECHNICAL NOTE: one magnetization detects imperfections of one direction; magnetization levels follow from ISO 9934, not from this standard

Frequently asked questions