Origin of a magnetic easy axis in pipeline steel

Oil and gas pipelines are generally magnetically anisotropic, with a magnetic easy axis in the pipe axial direction. This is of interest because magnetic flux leakage tools are commonly used for the detection and sizing of defects. In the present study we investigate the origin of this magnetic easy axis, using an angular magnetic Barkhausen noise technique to characterize the magnetic anisotropy. The texture, microstructure, and residual stress are examined as possible causes of the easy axis, using x-ray pole figure analysis and microstructural examination along with high and low temperature annealing treatments. Our results indicate that plastic deformation and residual stress are responsible for the magnetic easy axis, since an elimination of the residual stresses through low temperature “stress relief” heat treatment produces a magnetically isotropic structure without altering the texture or microstructure. X-ray pole figure analysis supports the conclusion that magnetic anisotropy is not related to texture in these materials. We conclude that the axial magnetic easy axis is due to a compressive residual hoop stress resulting from the cold bending and cold expansion of the pipe during processing.