What surfaces can the MagTrack magnetic crawler clean?

The MagTrack magnetic crawler is designed to clean flat and slightly curved steel surfaces, making it highly effective across a wide range of ferromagnetic structures found in industrial, maritime, and offshore environments. Its modular design allows it to switch between different tool attachments depending on the surface geometry and cleaning requirements. Below, we answer the most common questions about MagTrack surface compatibility in detail.

Which surface materials are compatible with magnetic crawlers?

Magnetic crawlers like MagTrack are compatible with ferromagnetic steel surfaces. Because the crawler relies on permanent magnets to maintain traction and adhesion, the surface must contain enough iron content to generate a reliable magnetic bond. This makes carbon steel, structural steel, and mild steel the primary compatible materials for this type of robotic system.

In practical terms, this covers the vast majority of surfaces found in heavy industry. Ship hulls, storage tanks, pressure vessels, pipelines, offshore platforms, and steel bridge structures are all built predominantly from carbon or structural steel, which means MagTrack can adhere to and traverse them safely and efficiently.

It is worth noting that stainless steel grades vary significantly in their magnetic properties. Austenitic stainless steels, which are the most common in industrial settings, are generally non-magnetic or weakly magnetic and may not provide sufficient adhesion for a magnetic crawler. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels, on the other hand, are magnetic and may be compatible depending on the specific grade and surface condition. If you are working with stainless steel structures, it is always advisable to verify the magnetic permeability of the specific alloy before deploying a magnetic crawler system.

Coated or painted steel surfaces are also generally compatible, provided the coating is not excessively thick or non-conductive in a way that reduces magnetic pull. In most real-world scenarios, painted ship hulls and coated storage tanks present no significant barrier to MagTrack’s magnetic adhesion system.

Can MagTrack clean curved or irregular surfaces?

Yes, MagTrack can clean curved surfaces, including highly curved geometries. The standard MagTrack system is built for flat and slightly curved steel surfaces, while the Curved Blast Can variant extends this capability to surfaces with a radius of up to three meters “approximately 9.8 feet”, making it suitable for small storage tanks and the curved contours of ship hulls.

This distinction between flat and curved variants is an important one for planning a cleaning operation. For large flat panels, deck plating, or wide structural steel sections, the standard carrier configuration performs with maximum efficiency. For the rounded sides of storage tanks, pipe exteriors, or the curved sections of a vessel’s hull, the Curved Blast Can attachment is the appropriate tool selection.

Highly irregular surfaces, such as those with abrupt changes in geometry, welds, or protruding fittings, do present more of a challenge for any robotic crawler system. MagTrack is engineered to handle gradual changes in surface curvature well, but sharp transitions or heavily obstructed surfaces may require manual intervention or a combination of robotic and hand-tool approaches. Our engineering team at DERC Salotech can advise on the most effective configuration for complex surface geometries.

What surface conditions can MagTrack operate on?

MagTrack is designed to operate on steel surfaces in real-world industrial conditions, which means it can handle wet, dirty, corroded, and previously coated surfaces. The system’s high-pressure water jetting tools, operating in a range from 500 to 3,000 bar “approximately 7,252 to 43,511 PSI”, are specifically intended to remove rust, scale, old coatings, marine growth, and heavy contamination from steel substrates.

The MagTrack Blast Can variant is particularly well suited to situations where surface cleanliness after cleaning is critical. It features a vacuum dome installed in front of the four-wheel carrier for closed waterblasting, connected to a vacuum unit so that both water and debris are collected without leakage. This closed-circuit approach makes it especially useful when an absolutely clean and dry surface is required immediately after cleaning, for example before applying protective coatings or performing non-destructive testing.

Surface conditions that may affect performance include extremely heavy rust pitting that creates an uneven magnetic contact zone, or surfaces with very thick non-magnetic coatings that reduce magnetic adhesion. In these cases, a pre-assessment of the surface is recommended to determine the appropriate tool configuration and operating pressure range. Operating pressures within the 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI” range can be selected based on the severity of the contamination and the substrate’s condition.

How does MagTrack perform on vertical and overhead surfaces?

MagTrack performs reliably on vertical steel surfaces, which is one of its most significant operational advantages over conventional cleaning methods. The permanent magnet system provides continuous adhesion regardless of the crawler’s orientation, allowing it to traverse and clean ship sides, tank walls, and other vertical steel structures without the risk of falling or losing traction.

This capability directly addresses one of the most significant safety challenges in industrial surface preparation. Working at height on vertical or overhead surfaces with manual high-pressure water jetting equipment exposes operators to serious risks. Organisations such as SIR in the Netherlands, EWJI across Europe, WJA in the UK, WJTA in the USA, and DIRV in Germany all publish guidelines and standards emphasising the importance of minimising operator exposure to high-pressure jetting hazards. By deploying a robotic crawler on vertical surfaces, the operator remains safely at ground level or on a stable work platform, controlling the system remotely rather than handling high-pressure equipment at height.

Overhead cleaning is a more demanding application for any magnetic crawler, as the magnetic force must work against gravity to hold the system against the surface. While MagTrack’s magnet system is engineered for strong adhesion, the feasibility of overhead operation depends on the specific surface, the weight of the tool configuration selected, and the local magnetic conditions of the steel. For overhead applications, we recommend consulting with our engineering team to confirm suitability before deployment.

What industries use MagTrack for surface cleaning?

MagTrack is used across industrial, maritime, and offshore sectors where large steel surfaces require regular cleaning and surface preparation. The most common industries include shipbuilding and ship repair, offshore oil and gas, petrochemical processing, energy generation, and general industrial maintenance involving large steel structures.

In the maritime sector, MagTrack is deployed for hull cleaning and surface preparation before recoating, a task that is both labour-intensive and safety-critical when performed manually. In offshore and petrochemical environments, the system is used to prepare storage tanks, pressure vessels, and structural steelwork for inspection or protective coating application. Energy facilities, including power stations and refineries, use robotic crawlers to maintain large steel assets that would otherwise require extensive scaffolding and manual labour.

The modular nature of MagTrack makes it adaptable across these varied industrial contexts. Because the carrier can be fitted with different tool attachments, the same platform can be configured for waterblasting, closed-circuit blasting, or other surface treatment applications depending on the project’s specific requirements. This versatility reduces the need for multiple specialised machines and supports a more cost-effective approach to industrial surface maintenance.

How MagTrack helps with magnetic crawler surface cleaning

MagTrack by DERC Salotech brings together robotic precision, high-pressure cleaning power, and modular flexibility to address the surface cleaning challenges that heavy industry faces every day. Here is what makes it a practical solution for maintenance engineers, operators, and field technicians:

• Broad surface compatibility: Engineered for flat and slightly curved ferromagnetic steel surfaces, with the Curved Blast Can extending capability to surfaces with a radius of up to three meters “approximately 9.8 feet”.
• High-pressure performance: Tools operating in the 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI” range remove rust, scale, marine growth, and old coatings effectively in a single pass.
• Closed-circuit cleaning option: The vacuum dome system collects water and debris without leakage, delivering a clean, dry surface ready for coating or inspection.
• Vertical surface operation: Permanent magnet adhesion keeps the crawler securely on ship sides and tank walls, removing operators from high-risk positions at height.
• Modular and customisable: The universal carrier platform accepts a full range of tool attachments, and our engineering team designs custom configurations for complex applications.
• Backed by 40 years of Dutch innovation: Every MagTrack system is developed and engineered at our headquarters in the Netherlands, with global support across more than 55 countries.

If you are evaluating robotic cleaning solutions for your next project, we would be glad to help you identify the right MagTrack configuration for your specific surface types and operating conditions. Explore the MagTrack system in detail, or contact our team to discuss your requirements directly.