PT

LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING

IQIS

INTERPRETATION OF AN INDICATION

PT L II M05

Purpose: To locate and evaluate indications caused by surface discontinuities.

Interpretation of an indication is determining the cause of the indication.
After the proper development time is over, inspection is carried out to look for indications formed due
to presence of surface discontinuities. The terms interpretation and evaluation are often confused.
Actually, the terms refer to two entirely different steps in the testing process. The success and
reliability of the interpretation and evaluation of liquid penetrant test indications is dependent on the
thoroughness, training and dedication of the technician. The liquid penetrant test is not a method by
which a test object is processed through a machine that separates the good test object from the bad.
Testing personnel are required to carefully process each test object, interpret indications and then
evaluate the indication to the acceptance standard referenced or given in the procedure they are
performing.

Interpretation: To interpret an indication is to decide what condition caused it. The word indication
refers to the presence of any penetrant visible in the developer layer on the test surface. These
indications are typically classified into three categories:

1. FALSE INDICATIONS
2. NON RELEVANT INDICATIONS
3. RELEVANT INDICATIONS
False Indications: These indications are typically caused by entrapment of penetrant in some
foreign matter on the job surface such as rust, paint boundary, lint, etc., which remains on the job
surface due to improper pre-cleaning. False indications could also be caused by the inadvertent
presence of some penetrant on the job surface caused by transfer of some penetrant from the hand
or cloth of an operator.
If any indication is suspected to be a false indication, the part/area should be thoroughly cleaned and
the part/area reprocessed (i.e. retested) to confirm whether it is a False indication or a True
indication.

Non-Relevant Indications: These indications are a type of true indication caused by physical
entrapment of penetrant in a geometrical feature of the job such as hole, sharp corner, surface

Prepared by: ASHFAQ A. KHAN

ASNT Level III, CSWIP 3.1, BARC RT level II

khanashfaq@consultant.com Revision #: 00
Page #: 1
ashfaqkhannde@gmail.com
Mobile#: +91-8108576465

PT

LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING

IQIS

INTERPRETATION OF AN INDICATION

PT L II M05

roughness, press fit joint, thread bottom, etc. Some codes also refer to very small indications, smaller
than a specified size, as non-relevant indication.
If any indication is suspected to be a non-relevant indication, the design of the job should be reviewed
and the job reprocessed and retested for confirmation, when required.

Relevant Indications: These indications are a type of true indication caused by physical
entrapment of penetrant inside a surface discontinuity. One method of determining if an indication is
relevant is to dampen a cotton swab with solvent and gently wipe the indication off. If the indication
reappears, it is a relevant indication. This technique is known as the bleed back evaluation technique.
The inspector uses his judgment to classify the indication and assess it's relevance. The
interpretation should be made according to the characteristics of the indication.
A. Location

E. Brightness

B. Shape

F. Sharpness

C. Size

G. Persistence

D. Color

H. The amount of time the indication takes to form.

Watching the indication form immediately after developer application and awareness of the type of
discontinuities that may be encountered beforehand is extremely helpful. Remember, the indication is
not the same size as the discontinuity. The developer will magnify the discontinuity size to make it
more visible to the naked eye for easier detection. The penetrant bleeds out into the developer
throughout the development time. Therefore, the longer the development time used to make an
evaluation, the larger the indication will be. Timing of when to make an evaluation of an indication
becomes very important when the indication is on the borderline of acceptance or rejection.
NOTE: Acceptance criteria will specify the maximum allowable indication size and not the
discontinuity size.
When the technician determines that the indication is relevant, it must then be evaluated to the
acceptance criteria. The relevant indications are further analyzed to determine their significance with
respect to the use of the job in service. The size of indication is measured and the indication is
classified as Linear or Rounded - based to their length to width (L/ W) ratio.
Usually the indication is classified as linear when the L 3W.
Prepared by: ASHFAQ A. KHAN
ASNT Level III, CSWIP 3.1, BARC RT level II

khanashfaq@consultant.com Revision #: 00
Page #: 2
ashfaqkhannde@gmail.com
Mobile#: +91-8108576465