Non-Destructive Testing

Non-Destructive
Testing
LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING
Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI)
LPI – PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES
• Depends on the ability of liquid to wet and
flow over a surface and to penetrate in to
cavities.
• Ability of a liquid to flow over a surface and
enter cavities depends on surface tension and
capillarity.
• The cohesive force between molecules of a
liquid causes surface tension.
• Capillarity is the rise or depression of liquid in
narrow cavities.
• Viscosity, affects the flowing ability of liquid.
• Highly viscous fluids are unsuitable as
penetrants
• They don’t flow rapidly, and they require
more time for penetration in to fine flaws.
• Visible light or UV light
Procedure for Penetrant testing
(Steps of Liquid Penetrant Testing)
• The exact procedure for liquid penetrant testing
can vary from case to case.
• Depends on several factors.
• The penetrant system being used.
• The size and material of the component being
inspected.
• The type of discontinuities being expected in the
component.
PROCEDURE
1) Cleaning
• One of the most important steps
• The defect must be open to the surface for the
penetrant to enter.
• Scale, flakes, paint, dirt, grease etc
• Tend to accumulate the penetrant.
• Leads to either masking of real indications or
creation of false indication.
• Solvents, brushes, rags, etchants, etc
• The cleaned surface should be properly dried
before applying penetrant.
2) Penetrant application
• Spraying, brushing, or immersing the part in a
penetrant bath.
• The fluid should spread freely and evenly over
the surface and move in to the crack.
3) Penetrant Dwell - total time that the
penetrant
is in contact with the part surface.
• The penetrant is left on the surface for a
sufficient time.Allow as much penetrant as
possible to be drawn into a defect.
• Dwell time depends on crack size and shape
characteristics and also environmental
conditions.
• 20 to 30 minutes
• No harm in using a longer penetrant dwell time
as long as the penetrant is not allowed to dry.
4) Removal of excess Penetrant
• This is the most delicate part of the inspection
• Excess penetrant must be removed from the
surface while removing as little penetrant as
possible from defects.
• Excess cleaning may remove the penetrant from
the upper region of the defect
• Developer doesn’t reach the penetrant and no
defect is indicated.
• Insufficient cleaning will leave a background of
penetrant on the surface.
• Affects contrast.
5) Application of developer
• A thin layer of developer is applied to the
sample to draw penetrant trapped in flaws
back to the surface where it will be visible.
• Another important function of the developer
is, it provides good visual contrast.
• Developers come in a variety of forms that
may be applied by dusting (dry powders),
dipping, or spraying (wet developers).
Developer
6) Indication Development: The developer
is allowed to stand on the part surface for a
period of time.
• To permit the extraction of the
trapped penetrant out of any surface
flaws.
• This development time is usually a minimum
of 10 minutes.
• Significantly longer times may be necessary
for tight cracks.
7) Inspection and Evaluation
• The last step is scanning of the surface for
indications.
• the scanning may be carried out under visible
light conditions or with UV or laser incident
light.
• The defect recognition may be made with human
eye or with automated optical scanners.
• After inspection, acceptance or rejection of the
component is made based on the applicable
specifications and standards
Advantages of penetrant test
• High sensitivity (small discontinuities can be
detected).
• Few material limitations.
• Portable to use.
• Easy to inspect large areas and volumes.
• Low cost.
• Complex parts can be inspected.
• Proper visualization is provided.
• Further examination of indication may be done.
Limitations of penetrant test
• Defects must be open to the surface.
• Only materials with a relatively nonporous surface can be
inspected.
• Pre-cleaning is critical since contaminants can mask
defects.
• The inspector must have direct access to the surface being
inspected.
• Surface finish and roughness can affect inspection
sensitivity.
• Multiple operations in a controlled mode is required.
• Post cleaning of acceptable parts or materials is required.
• Proper chemical handling and its disposal is required.

Non-Destructive Testing

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