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Liquid Penetrant Testing Overview

Liquid penetrant testing (PT) is an old non-destructive testing technique used to detect surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials like metals. There are five steps: cleaning, applying penetrant, removing excess penetrant, developing with a developer, and inspecting. The penetrant must penetrate defects, have proper surface tension and washability. The developer absorbs penetrant from defects to make them visible. PT can find defects but is limited to surface flaws and works best on non-porous materials. It is a low-cost method requiring minimal training.

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190 views18 pages

Liquid Penetrant Testing Overview

Liquid penetrant testing (PT) is an old non-destructive testing technique used to detect surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials like metals. There are five steps: cleaning, applying penetrant, removing excess penetrant, developing with a developer, and inspecting. The penetrant must penetrate defects, have proper surface tension and washability. The developer absorbs penetrant from defects to make them visible. PT can find defects but is limited to surface flaws and works best on non-porous materials. It is a low-cost method requiring minimal training.

Uploaded by

Aldi Oktavian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Liquid Penetrant

Testing

PT
Introduction
PT is one of the oldest NDT techniques. Earliest forms
of penetrant inspection was the use of carbon black
on glazed pottery.

This method can be used to detect defects in a wide


range of components provided that the defect break
the surface of the material.

However liquid penetrant testing can be done only on


non-porous materials such as all metals amd alloys,
non metals (plastic, polymers, glassware)
There are five essential steps in
PT

1. Cleaning and Surface preparation


2. Application of Penetrant
3. Removal of excess penetrant
4. Development
5. Observation and Inspection
Characteristics of a Penetrant
• Penetration ability – to enter into extremely fine
defects or openings.
• Surface tension & Wettability - to maintain a
continuous film over the part
• Fluidity – ability to drain away through the opening.
• Solubility – capability to dissolve in contaminants
possible in defects.
• Washability – capability to removing penetrant from
the part without dragging out penetrant
trapped in defects.
Characteristics of a Penetrant
contd...

• Stability – composition should not change over a


wide range of temperature and humidity.
• Resistance to drying during the test
• Viscosity – To control fluidity and washability
• Ignition point – higher to be inflammable
• Chemical composition – to resist corrosion and
reaction with the part
Visibility of a penetrant

1. Colour contrast method – Deep red


colour against white contrasting
background of developer.

2. Fluorescent method – Glowing green-


yellow or orange colour under ‘black
light’ (near UV)
Characterization of
penetrant systems
(Based on penetrant removal method)

1. Water-washable system – lower sensitivity,


low cost, used for bulk goods in field inspection

2. Solvent-removable system – medium


sensitivity, general purpose

3. Post emulsification system – high sensitivity


and expensive, used in critical inspections
Developer should posses
following properties:
• Absorption – developer must be easily wetted by the penetrant
in the flaw and absorptive to suck back.,

• Application – must be easy to apply and capable of forming thin


and uniform surface coating

• Background masking – interference from background colours


should be masked and provide contrasting
background for indications

• Physical characteristics – It must have grain size and shape


to easily disperse the penetrant in the flaw, so that
clearly defined indication is attained. Must neither be
hygroscopic nor excessively dusty.

• Chemical characteristics – must not contain ingredients


harmful to the parts.
Limitations
• Only surface breaking flaws can be detected
• Part material should be non porous
• Affected by part temperature

Advantages
• Low cost, no instrumentation
• No need higher operator competence and
experience
Process of
Liquid Penetrant
Inspection
Removal of oxide, rust, weld
spattrer etc:
Wire brushing, or
abrasive blasting
followed by
chemical cleaning

When a number of small


parts involved:
Ultrasonic cleaning

To clean all narrow openings:


Vapour degreasing
Penetration dwell time:
5 to 30 minutes
• Water spray:
Less than 50 psi

• Solvent:
Wipe with a moist
cloth or absorbent
paper

• Post-Emulsifying:
Emulsifier shall be applied by spraying or dipping.
Emulsification time is critical and determined
experimentally (never exceed 5 min.)

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