penetranttest
Penetrant testing, also called liquid penetrant testing or dye penetrant inspection, is a nondestructive testing method used to reveal surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials. The method relies on capillary action: a penetrant liquid with low surface tension is applied to the surface and allowed to dwell so it can seep into defects. After removing the excess penetrant, a developer is applied. The developer draws penetrant trapped in defects to the surface, where it forms a visible or fluorescent indication that can be observed under appropriate lighting.
Penetrants come in two main families: visible dye penetrants and fluorescent penetrants. Visible penetrants produce a
A typical procedure includes pre-cleaning the part, applying penetrant, allowing a dwell time, removing excess penetrant,
Applications and limitations: Penetrant testing is widely used for metals, ceramics, glass, and some plastics to
Standards such as ISO 3452 and ASTM E1417 guide penetrant testing, covering material compatibility, process steps,