Magnaglo

Magnaglo Overview

Magnaglo® is the preferred fluorescent magnetic particle inspection method used for the detection of fine surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferrous materials. This comprehensive buying guide will help you select the right Magnaglo products for your specific non-destructive testing (NDT) needs.

What is Magnaglo?

Magnaglo is Magnaflux's line of fluorescent magnetic particle inspection products designed for detecting defects in ferromagnetic materials. Use Magnaglo® fluorescent wet method magnetic particles to locate surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities such as: inclusions, seams, shrink cracks, tears, laps, flakes, welding defects, grinding cracks, quenching cracks and fatigue cracks.

Core Product Categories

1. Wet Method Fluorescent Magnetic Powders

14A - High Sensitivity Powder

  • Best for: Critical applications requiring maximum sensitivity
  • Key Features:
    • Highly sensitive fluorescent magnetic particle powder for locating very fine discontinuities in critical applications, can be mixed with oil or water
    • Designed with strong fluorescent properties, 14A magnetic powder is made with a carefully optimized range of particle sizes & shapes to ensure particles move quickly and easily to indications, while minimizing background and particle clumping
  • Applications: Machined parts, welded parts, critical in-service inspections, smooth surface finishes
  • Compatibility: Can be suspended in water or petroleum distillate (oil)
  • Specifications: Meets Aerospace, ASTM and ISO 9934 requirements

MG-410 - Ultra-Bright Powder

  • Best for: General purpose inspections with excellent visibility
  • Key Features:
    • Ultra-bright fluorescent magnetic particle powder for locating small, medium, and large discontinuities during wet fluorescent magnetic particle testing
    • These particles provide clear, ultra-bright, fluorescent green indications under UV light with minimal background
  • Applications: Detecting medium to fine surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities
  • Compatibility: Designed for use in water or oil baths
  • Visual Result: Intense yellow-green indications under UV lighting

20B - Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Premix

  • Best for: High volume applications requiring frequent water bath changes
  • Key Features:
    • Highly-sensitive magnetic particle premix powder combining 14A magnetic particles, corrosion inhibitors and wetting agents for easy water bath preparation
    • Ultra-sensitive 14A particles provide clear, bright, fluorescent green indications under ultra-violet black light for unbeatable inspection quality and accuracy
  • Applications: Forging, casting, stamping and welding operations; in-process testing for high-volume production
  • Advantages: Complete premix formula, ideal for water baths that need frequent changeouts due to drag-in or heavy use
  • Specifications: Meets automotive, API and ASTM standards

2. Ready-to-Use Suspensions

14A Aqua-Glo - Water-Based Suspension

  • Best for: Field testing and portable applications
  • Key Features:
    • Water-based magnetic particle with 14A particles for locating very fine discontinuities in critical applications and difficult to reach areas
    • This water-based, non-flammable formula contains high-sensitivity 14A fluorescent magnetic particles and is primarily used for field testing with a portable magnetic field generator
  • Applications: Spot inspections, difficult to process situations where bulk processing is impractical
  • Advantages: Non-flammable, ready-to-use, portable packaging
  • Visual Result: Bright yellow-green fluorescent indication under UV light

14AM - Oil-Based Suspension

  • Best for: Ready-to-use applications requiring oil-based carrier
  • Key Features:
    • 14AM is a ready-to-use magnetic particle suspension liquid for locating very fine discontinuities in critical parts and applications by providing clear, bright indications
  • Applications: Critical parts inspection where oil-based carrier is preferred
  • Advantages: Ready-to-use formulation, no mixing required

3. Water Bath Additives

WA-2B Powder

  • Purpose: Enhance water bath performance
  • Functions: Anti-foaming, corrosion inhibiting, wetting agent, particle suspension facilitation
  • Usage: Conditioners for water baths such as WA-2B powder should be used for anti-foaming, corrosion inhibiting, as a wetting agent and to facilitate particle suspension

Selection Criteria

By Application Type

Critical/High-Sensitivity Applications:

  • Choose 14A powder or 14A Aqua-Glo
  • Best for aerospace, automotive critical components, pressure vessels

General Industrial Applications:

  • Choose MG-410 powder for routine quality control
  • Choose 20B premix for high-volume production environments with frequent bath changes

High-Volume Production:

  • Choose 20B premix for forging, casting, stamping, and welding operations
  • Ideal for applications requiring frequent bath changeouts

Field/Portable Testing:

  • Choose 14A Aqua-Glo or 14AM
  • Ideal for on-site inspections, maintenance applications

By Carrier Fluid Preference

Water-Based Systems:

  • 14A powder (mixed with water)
  • MG-410 powder (mixed with water)
  • 20B premix (complete water bath solution)
  • 14A Aqua-Glo (ready-to-use)
  • Advantages: Non-flammable, easier cleanup, lower cost

Oil-Based Systems:

  • 14A powder (mixed with oil)
  • MG-410 powder (mixed with oil)
  • 14AM (ready-to-use)
  • Advantages: Better wetting properties, suitable for rough surfaces

By Packaging Format

Bulk Processing:

  • Choose powder forms (14A, MG-410) in jars or drums for maximum flexibility
  • Choose 20B premix for high-volume operations requiring complete water bath solutions
  • Most economical for high-volume operations

Portable/Field Use:

  • Choose ready-to-use suspensions (14A Aqua-Glo, 14AM)
  • Available in aerosol cans for convenience

Key Benefits Summary

Detection Capabilities

  • Surface defects: All Magnaglo products excel at surface crack detection
  • Subsurface defects: Capable of detecting slightly subsurface discontinuities
  • Defect types: Inclusions, seams, cracks, tears, laps, flakes, welding defects

Performance Advantages

  • High sensitivity: Especially 14A formulations for critical applications
  • Excellent contrast: Bright fluorescent indications under UV light
  • Particle mobility: Optimized particle size and shape distribution
  • Minimal background: Reduced particle clumping for cleaner indications

Purchasing Recommendations

For New Users

  1. Start with 20B premix for ease of use and complete water bath solution
  2. Consider 14A Aqua-Glo for versatility and portable applications
  3. Invest in proper UV lighting equipment for optimal results

For Established Operations

  1. 14A powder for maximum sensitivity in critical applications
  2. 20B premix for high-volume production with frequent bath changes
  3. MG-410 powder for cost-effective general use
  4. Consider both water and oil-based systems for different part types

For Field Services

  1. 14A Aqua-Glo for portable, non-flammable operation
  2. 14AM where oil-based carrier is preferred
  3. Aerosol formats for convenience and portability

Compliance and Standards

All Magnaglo products meet major industry specifications including:

  • Aerospace standards
  • ASTM requirements
  • ISO 9934 standards

Conclusion

The Magnaglo product line offers comprehensive solutions for fluorescent magnetic particle inspection. Select products based on your specific sensitivity requirements, carrier fluid preferences, and application format needs. For critical applications requiring maximum sensitivity, choose 14A formulations. For general use with excellent visibility, MG-410 provides outstanding value. Ready-to-use suspensions offer convenience for field applications and smaller operations.