How can surface treatment affect the results of Eddy Current Testing?

Surface treatment can indeed affect the results of Eddy Current Testing by altering the electrical properties of the material being tested. When the surface of a conductor undergoes treatments like painting, coating, or oxidation, it can change key factors such as electrical conductivity and permeability. These changes can influence how eddy currents flow within the material and how they interact with any defects.

For instance, a surface coating may add a layer of non-conductive material, which could impede the flow of eddy currents, or it might have a different conductivity than the base material. This would impact the eddy current's magnitude and phase shift, ultimately affecting the test results, as Eddy Current Testing relies on the analysis of these currents to detect defects or variations in material properties.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect how surface treatment influences the Eddy Current Testing results. Increasing signal strength or probe portability is not directly tied to surface treatments, while stating that surface treatment has no impact would contradict the fundamental principles of how Eddy Current Testing operates.