Analytical Modeling of Demagnetization Effects on Magnetic Flux Leakage Signals in Ferromagnetic Pipelines

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing is a widely used non-destructive method for detecting defects in ferromagnetic pipelines. However, demagnetizing fields in ferromagnetic materials can distort MFL signals, reducing detection accuracy. This study integrates demagnetizing components into the classical magnetic charge model using magnetic charge and dipole theories to assess the impact of demagnetization on MFL signals. The behavior of MFL signals under demagnetization, particularly for rectangular defects, is analytically characterized. The generation mechanism of the demagnetizing field is examined, and explicit expressions for triaxial demagnetizing components in cylindrical pipelines are derived. The effects of geometric parameters, such as inner and outer diameters and pipeline length, on demagnetizing components are systematically studied. The influence of demagnetization on MFL signal transmission is also explored. MFL scanning experiments on rectangular defects of different sizes validate the theoretical model, revealing that demagnetization attenuates the axial and radial components while enhancing the circumferential component. The proposed model improves prediction accuracy, reducing errors in the axial and radial components by 14.9% and enhancing the circumferential signal by 15%. Experimental MFL waveforms align closely with the model, confirming its validity and effectiveness.