LIQUID

PENETRANT
TESTING
BSME 3B (GROUP 2)
BALANSAY, JENNY ROSE B.
BAUTISTA, BRYAN JAMES
BONGCATO, REGINA
TOMAS, JM
DEFINITION
• LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING (LPT) IS A TESTING METHOD THAT USES A DYE
OR FLUORESCENT PENETRANT TO DETECT SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES,
INCLUDING CRACKS, POROSITY, LAPS, SEAMS, AND OTHER SURFACE FLAWS.
THE PENETRANT IS INTRODUCED ONTO THE SURFACE AND ALLOWED TO SIT
TO PENETRATE ANY DEFECTS PRESENT.
• AFTER CLEANING THE EXCESS PENETRANT, A DEVELOPER IS APPLIED THAT
DRAWS THE DYE OUT OF ANY DISCONTINUITIES, MAKING THEM VISIBLE.
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF LPT: VISIBLE DYE PENETRANT, FLUORESCENT
DYE PENETRANT, AND DUAL-PURPOSE PENETRANT WHICH CAN BE USED IN
BOTH VISIBLE AND FLUORESCENT MODE.
• LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING, ALSO KNOWN AS DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
(DPI) OR LIQUID PENETRANT INSPECTION (LPI) IS ONE OF THE MOST
COMMON AND AFFORDABLE SOLUTION AND ONE OF THE OLDEST, IF
COMPARED TO NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING CHALLENGES.
• THIS METHOD INVOLVES APPLYING A LIQUID PENETRANT TO THE SURFACE
OF A MATERIAL OF A MATERIAL, ALLOWING IT TO SEEP INTO ANY CRACKS OR
DEFECTS, AND THEN USING A DEVELOPER TO MAKE THE PENETRANT
VISIBLE.

HOW IT IS DONE OR STEPS

Step 1 - Precleaning of the Surface / surface cleaning

• The 3 spray cans (aerosol) are provided for this test. First one is named cleaner. The technician
sprays the cleaner to the test object and then cleans the surface with non-used rag or cloth. The
sprayed material is evaporated rapidly. So, the tension needs to clean the surface instantly.
Step 2- Application of Penetrant
• In the second step, the technician applies penetrant spray can to the surface which is in sharp red
color. The technician needs to wait for 5 to 15 minutes depends on test procedure. In this time, the
penetrant liquid enters to the crack (normally is not visible). The penetrant liquid soaks inside of
the defects/ imperfections by capillary action.
Step 3- Removal of the Excess Penetrant Liquid
• In the third step, the technician removes penetrant liquid from the surface by rag or cloth and uses
back and forth rubbing to clean the surface. No red color should be visible after cleaning. Then
technison takes a clean rag and sprays some cleaner on a cloth and then cleans the surface one
more time. This can be done two or three times to remove all penetrant liquid from the surface.
Please note by the capillary action; the penetrant liquid still is in the cracks or hot tear or any
other imperfection. It will not come out by cleaning as described.
Step 4 - Application of Developer
• In the fourth step, the technician takes the developer spray can and agitates it and then sprays to
the surface. Then he waits for 10 minutes. In this time, the defect will be visible, the developer
 material uses reverse capillary action and bleeds out the red penetrant, and if there is a crack in
the surface, you will see a red line within the white color covered by developer material.
Step 5 - Evaluation / Interpretation
• In the fifth step, The ASNT Level II liquid penetrant inspector evaluates the test result based on
the acceptance criteria indicated in the approved test procedure. Please note one indication might
be considered imperfection and be rejected by one acceptance criteria and be accepted by another
one. So it is imperative that the test be evaluated with right acceptance criteria.
Step 6 - Liquid Penetrant Test Report
• In the sixth step, The technician prepares the report and indicates the test results and submits to
the customer.

ADVANTAGES
• Liquid penetrant testing has the following advantages:
• Works on complicated geometric shapes
• LPI materials are compact Sensitive to small surface interruptions
• Few material limitations such as—works on non-metallic, metallic, non-magnetic, magnetic,
non-conductive and conductive materials Liquid penetrant testing materials are individually very
cost-effective
• Visual, real-world results
DISADVANTAGES
• Liquid penetrant testing has the following disadvantages:
• Liquid penetrant testing has the following disadvantages:
• Extensive, time-taking pre-cleaning critical—surface contaminants can mask defects
• Sensitive to surface-breaking defects only Direct connection to the surface under test necessary
• Works on relatively non-porous surface materials only
• No depth sizing
• Multi-process testing procedure Time-taking; post-cleaning also necessary
• No recordable data handy for progress monitoring
• User dependent
• Environmental concerns—may require disposing of chemicals and expensive handling
• The biggest disadvantage is that despite lower costs and over time (cheaper materials, less
training),
• Liquid penetrant testing is more than a screening tool; one can measure their length and locate
defects, but using this method, it’s impossible to monitor the advancement of defects or determine
the severity of its depth. It relegates the method to a pass/fail evaluation, that leads to discarding
healthy parts and retaining unhealthy parts—which can both prove expensive.
• Hence, in totality, despite the instant captivation of this cost-effective solution, it possesses
various downsides that must be looked at before dismissing more progressive and more expensive
inspection solutions, whether you contract inspections or perform them on your own.