ASTM A341/A341M-16

3.1 Permeameters require the use of yokes to complete the magnetic circuit and are therefore inherently less accurate than ring test methods. Refer to Test Method A596/A596M for further details on ring test methods. However, when testing certain shapes as bars or when magnetic field strength in excess of 200 Oe [16 kA/m] is required, permeameters are the only practical means of measuring magnetic properties.

3.2 This test method is suitable for specification acceptance, service evaluation, research and development and design.

3.3 When the test specimen is fabricated from a larger sample and is in the same condition as the larger sample, it may not exhibit magnetic properties representative of the original sample. In such instances the test results, when viewed in context of past performance history, will be useful for judging the suitability of the material for the intended application.

1.1 This test method provides dc permeameter tests for the basic magnetic properties of soft magnetic materials in the form of bars, rods, wire, or strip specimens which may be cut, machined, or ground from cast, compacted, sintered, forged, extruded, rolled, or other fabricated materials. It includes tests for determination of the normal induction under symmetrically cyclically magnetized (SCM) conditions and the hysteresis loop (B-H loop) taken under conditions of rapidly changing or steep wavefront reversals of the direct current magnetic field strength. This method has been historically referred to as the ballistic test method. For testing hard or permanent magnet materials, Test Method A977/A977M shall be used.

1.2 This test method shall be used in conjunction with Practice A34/A34M.

1.3 This test method covers a range of magnetic field strength in the specimen from about 0.05 Oe [4 A/m] up to above 5000 Oe [400 kA/m] through the use of several permeameters. The separate permeameters cover this test region in several overlapping ranges.

1.4 Normal induction and hysteresis properties may be determined over the magnetic flux density range from essentially zero to the saturation induction for most materials.

1.5 Recommendations of the useful magnetic field strength range for each of the permeameters are shown in Table 1.2 Permeameters particularly well suited for general testing of soft magnetic materials are shown in boldface. Also, see Sections 3 and 4 for general limitations relative to the use of permeameters.