This is quite confusing for me, if I have a metal detector installed in the area, and I have set my test piece sensitivity to ferrous 1.2 mm (sphere), 2.5 mm Non ferrous (sphere), and 3.0 mm Stainless Steel (sphere), will i be able to detect a 3.16 mm X 7 mm welding rod.?
Hi jayrency,
I deduce yr rod is nominally 1/8 in diameter.
These are some reasons why yr OP is difficult to accurately answer -
1st reason
Composition of ...
A welding electrode is made up of two parts: the actual metal, and the flux coating. The metal can vary from mild-steel, cast iron, stainless steel, high-tensile steel, copper, bronze, brass, or aluminum. The metal is then wrapped in a flux coating that is blends of cellulose, which is used by plants to give them flexibility, iron powder, and hydrogen. It is also blended with some Sodium, Titania and Potassium. The flux coating makes the electrical currents flow more evenly during the weld.
2nd reason relating to material of (a) yr SS reference and (b) welding rod sample
3rd reason relating to positioning of (a) reference sphere and (b) welding rod sample in magnetic field
4th reason relating to orientation of sample in magnetic field
Analysis
I assume test spheres were placed on horizontal axis of a symmetrical magnetic field applied to a horizontal conveyor belt.
I assume SS test sphere was 316 type
Then IMO -
Best Case scenario for detection -
thin coating, iron rod, oriented axially
Should be easily detected
Worst case scenario for Detection
Thick coating, Stainless 316 rod, oriented axially
May not be detected
One Caveat - I have no idea how much effect a coating can have on the signal strength, I guess not so much.