LIQUID PENETRANT

THIS IS A METHOD THAT USES A DYE AND IS USED FOR DETECTING CRACKS AND POROSITY IN ANY MATERIAL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE CHEMICALS INVOLVED. THE BASIC PROCESS IS SUCH A BRIGHT RED DYE WITH HIGH PENETRATIVE POWER IS APPLIED TO THE SURFACE BEING TESTED. AFTER PENETRATION TIME (DWELL TIME) THE SURFACE IS CLEANED OF SURPLUS DYE A WHITE DEVELOPER IS NOW APPLIED TO THE SURFACE. AS THE DEVELOPER DRIES IT DRAWS THE DYE OUT FROM THE CRACKS OR POROUS AREAS TO LEAVE A BRIGHT RED ON WHITE INDICATION. THE PROCESS IS CHEAP AND EASY TO DO BUT IS NOT FOOL PROOF AS CORROSION SET OVER THE CRACK MAY GIVE WRONG RESULTS. SOME OTHER POINTS TO CONSIDER ARE: SURFACE MUST BE CLEAN AND BARE. PAINT REMOVAL MAY BE REQUIRED PAINT REMOVERS ARE HARMFUL TO HEALTH - PROTECT YOURSELF MASK OFF AREAS NOT NEEDING INSPECTION USE THE CORRECT PENETRANT REMOVAL OF SURPLUS DYE IS IMPORTANT OR ELSE WRONG RESULTS MAY BE INTERPRETED A BLOTCHY DEVELOPED SURFACE WOULD INDICATE A FAILED PROCESS AND SHOULD BE REPEATED. A CRACK WILL SHOW UP AS A THIN RED LINE ON THE SURFACE WHILE POROSITY WILL BE INDICATED BY AN AREA WITH CLOSELY SPACED RED DOTS.