3D FEM analysis in magnetic flux leakage method

The magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method is currently the most commonly used pipeline inspection technique. In this paper, 3D FEM is used to analyze the MFL signals, a generalized potential formulation to the magnetostatic field MFL problem is discussed, typical 3D defects are accurately modeled and detail MFL signal in test surface are calculated by the method. The relation between defect parameters and MFL signals are also analyzed.