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Liquid Penetrant Testing

MEMB453
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING (NDT)
LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING
INTRODUCTION

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Definition
History
Basic Process
Advantages
Disadvantages

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Definition
Liquid penetrant testing is a non-destructive
method mean of locating and determining the
severity of surface discontinuities that are
open to the surface of solid and essentially
non - porous material, is based upon
capillarity action.

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Definition(cont.)
Liquid penetrant testing(PT) is a non destructive testing method of detecting
discontinuities which are open to the surface
of solid and essentially non - porous
material.

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Brief Historical background

Penetrant Testing

of

Liquid

19th century - Oil non colour penetrant

Railroad industries - Rods, axles, crank pins
1938 - Colour dye penetrant
1941 - Flourescent penetrant
1957 - Post Emulsification penetrant

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Basic process of liquid penetrant

i.
Pre-cleaning
ii.
Penetration :
Applying the penetrant
iii.
Wash
: Removing the excess
penetrant
iv.
Development : Applying the developer
v.
Inspection, Interpretation,
Evaluation and Record
vi.
Post-cleaning
vii.
Report
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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Medium
Liquid medium containing dye or fluoresent
substance

Nature of signal
Capillarity bleedout of liquid trapped in flaws

Detection
Localized
powder

staining

of

applied

developer
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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Indication/recording method
Direct visual observation for dye penetrant
Black light for fluoresent

Interpretation basis
Direct
indication(dependent
on
proper
methods for application of penetrant and
developer)

Discontinuities/separations
Surface cracks, laminations, laps, seams,
pinholes, laps, cold shuts and leaks
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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Application
Applicable material
All non-porous, nonabsorbing materials

Applicable features and forms

Surfaces, entire objects and complex shapes

Component
Weldments, joints, tubings, castings and
billets, gas turbine disks and blades, engine
mounts and gears.
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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Advantages and limitation

Advantages
The geometry and size of the part is not a
limitation.
The indication appears directly on the test
surface.
Simple and economic method.

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Limitations
Access required for surface decontamination
and cleaning.
Discontinuity must be surface connected and
open.
Not applicable on rough and porous surface.
Discontinuity depth is not indicated.
Not applicable for high temperature (above
120F and very cold less than 40F)

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

Sensitivity/resolution
Microcracks to 1 micrometer width

Interpretation limits
False indications from shallow scratches and
smearing

Others
Porosity of surface may mask important
indications.
Discontinuity depth is not indicated.
Vapor hazard.
Not applicable for high temperature(above
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120F and very cold less than 40F)

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Liquid Penetrant Testing

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESFULL

INSPECTION
i.
Equipment or penetrant system are
suitable for specific application.
ii.Clear defination of test problems.
iii.Realistic acceptance criteria.
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