Abstract: An inspection station and process for pipe or other ferromagnetic articles utilizes a generally straight flux field amplifier made of a multi-stranded cable surrounded by non-conducting resin, for inducing transverse lines of magnetic force. The flux field amplifier is surrounded by a coil which is also energized to make longitudinal lines of force; the two types of lines of force are vectored. The pipe or other ferromagnetic article is sprayed with UV-sensitive magnetic particles in a more or less conventional manner to display the vectored lines of force together with any flaws in the metal. The cable core of the flux field amplifier does not need a cooling system and is able to last longer than conventional solid cores.