LIQUID PENETRANT TEST PROCEDURE

1.0 Scope

This document covers the procedure for liquid penetrant examination by visible dye solvent
Removable penetrant and wet Non-Aqueous developer, for detecting discontinuities that are open
to surface of Non porous materials (Rolled and forged) and welds of any shape or size and extent
required by Drawing or Specification.

Discontinuities open to the surface such as cracks, seams, laps, lamination through leaks and
lack of fusion are examples linear indication that can be detected by this method. Porosity is
example of rounded indications detected by this method.

2.0 Qualification of Personnel

 All examination personnel shall be qualified and certified in accordance with NBEL’s written
practice no. NBEL/NDT/WP/01 Latest revision, conforming to the applicable edition
recommended practice SNT-TC-1A.
 All personnel conducting Liquid Penetrant examination shall be minimum certified to Level I.
 Interpretation, Evaluation and preparation of reports shall be done by certified Level-II
 The scope of certification of personnel shall include Visible Dye Solvent Removable
technique also.

3.0 Technique Restrictions

 Intermixing of penetrant materials from different families or different manufacturers are

strictly prohibited. A family of liquid penetrant examination material consists of applicable
penetrant cleaning solvent, developer and remover as recommended by manufacturer.
 Certification of contaminant content shall be obtained for all liquid penetrant materials use
of nickel base alloys, austenitic or duplex stainless steels& titanium prior to use.
- When examining Nickel base alloy, sulphur content shall not exceed 1% by weight.
- When examining austenitic or duplex stainless steels & titanium, halogen (chlorine +
fluorine) content shall not exceed 1% by weight.
 Penetrant materials certification shall include manufacturer’s batch numbers and test results
obtained.

4.0 Approved Penetrant Materials

Penetrant Pre- Cleaner/ Excess Developer

penetrant Remover
Manufacturer Brand Manufacturer Brand Manufacturer Brand

PMET HIGH- PP-110 PMET HIGH- PC-120 PMET HIGH- PD-130

TECH Co. Pvt (PMC TECH Co. Pvt (PMC TECH Co. Pvt (PMC
Ltd FLAWCHECK) Ltd FLAWCHECK) Ltd FLAWCHECK)

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5.0 Surface Preparation

1. Satisfactory results may be obtained when the surface of the part is in the as Welded, as
Rolled or as Forged condition. If needed, grinding, machining may be used to remove surface
irregularities which may mask indications of unacceptable discontinuities
2. Surface to be tested and the adjacent area within one inch (in case of Weld 35 mm distance
from the Weld edges) shall be free from Dirt, Grease, Lint, Scale, Welding flux. Weld spatter,
Paint, Oil and any other extraneous matter that could affect surface opening or interface
with the test result.
3. Suitable cleaning materials, which may be used, are Detergents, Organic Solvent, De-scaling
solutions, degreasing and Paint removers.
4. Precautionary measures shall be taken for the removal of residue of cleaning agents used for
surface conditioning, which may affect the test results.

6.0 Pre cleaning

After adequate conditioning (if required) of the surface as given in clause 5.0, thoroughly
pre-clean the test area with PC-120 (PMC FLAWCHECK) cleaner. Allow the surface to dry for about
three minutes normal evaporation. The maximum drying time shall not be more than 15 minutes.

7.0 Temperature

Temperature of the Part and Penetrant materials shall be maintained between 50° F to 125°F
(10° C to 50° C). The part temperature may be checked by the touching and sensing with hands. Any
doubt arises, regarding the surface temp, then the part / penetrant temp shall be checked using a
suitable thermometer. The part/ penetrant may be heated or cooled to the required range in case of
the part temp. Found out of range.

8.0 Application of penetrant

1. Apply liquid Penetrant immediately after drying time is over on the surface to be examined
cover the area adequately as per Table-1
Table-1
SR. NO. OBJECT METHOD OF PENETRANT APPLICATION
1 Weld and adjacent HAZ area/ Brushing
Plate bevel edges
2 Formed and Forged area PP-110 (PMC FLAWCHECK)

2. Visually examine the surface for adequate coverage of Penetrant over the entire area till the
minimum dwell time is elapsed. If required apply more Penetrant. Do not allow the
Penetrant form a pool.
3. Allow the Penetrant on the surface of part a minimum dwell time of 10 minutes and not
more than 30 minutes.

9.0 Excess Penetrant Removal

1. After the specified dwell time is elapse, remove the excess Penetrant by wiping with a
cleaner dry, lint free cloth and repeatedly wipe the surface until most traces of Penetrant
are removed.
2. The remaining traces shall be removed by lightly wiping the surface with a cloth moistening
with solvent remover only.

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 3. Excess solvent shall not be used for moistening the cloth with solvent remover, which
remove Penetrant from the discontinuities.
4. Flushing the area with Solvent for the purpose of Penetrant removal is prohibited.

10.0 Drying

Allow the part to dry after excess Penetrant removal by normal evaporation for 3 minutes.

11.0 Application of Developer

Apply Developer immediately after drying, but not before 3 minutes. The Maximum time
interval between excess penetrant removal and the application of developer shall be 30 minutes.
Apply the developer on the part surface by spraying only, using PD-130 (PMC FLAWCHECK) , so as to
achieve a reasonable uniform thin coating on the examined surface. Thoroughly shake the spray
bottles before applying developers. Manufacturer recommendation shall be strictly followed, for
proper use of Aerosol Can.

12.0 Developing time

Developing time begins immediately after the Developer coat dries. Observe the bleed out
while applying the Developer and allow the developer to remain on specimen for a minimum of
10 minutes after the developer coat dried and then start performing final interpretation and
evaluation.

13.0 Interpretation and Evaluation

1. Final interpretation and evaluation shall be made within 10 to 60 minutes after developer
coat dried.
2. Evaluation of Indication
i) Relevant Indication
Indication with major dimensions greater than 1/16” (1.5mm) shall be considered
relevant.
ii) Linear Indication
A Linear indication is one having length greater than three times the width
iii) Rounded Indication
A rounded indication is one of circular shape with the length equal to or less than
three times the width.

Any indication, which is believed to be a Non-relevant, shall be regarded as imperfection unless it is

shown by re-examination by the same method or by the use of other non-destructive method
and/or by surface conditioning that no unacceptable imperfection present.

14.0 Acceptance Criteria

All surfaces to be examined shall be free of

a) Relevant linear indications.

b) Relevant rounded indication greater than 3/16” (5 mm)
c) Four or more relevant rounded indication in a line separated by 1/16” (1.5mm) or less
(edge to edge)
d) Crack like indication detected, irrespective of the surface condition are unacceptable.

Note: An indication of an imperfection may be larger than the imperfection that causes it. However
the size of the indication is the basis for acceptance and evaluation.
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15.0 Repair Requirements

1. Unacceptable imperfection shall be repaired and re-examined to assure removal or

removal to an acceptable size. Whenever, an imperfection is repaired, by chipping or
grinding subsequent repair by Welding is not required, the excavated area shall be
blended into the surrounding surface so as to avoid, sharp notches, crevices or
corners.
2. After a defect is thought to have been removed and prior to making Re-Welding, the
area shall be re-examined by suitable methods to ensure that the defect has been
removed or reduced to acceptable sized imperfection.
3. After repair have been made, the repaired area shall be blended in to the
surrounding surface such as to avoid sharp notches, crevices or corners and re-
examined by the Liquid Penetrant method and by all other methods of examination
except that, when the depth of repair is less than the radiographic sensitivity
required, re radiography may be omitted.

16.0 Post cleaning

Remove all developer materials using clean dry cloths immediately after evaluation &
reporting Penetrant available on the adjacent surface shall be removed using the PC-120
(PMC FLAWCHECK) Solvent remover. Any specific post cleaning method is specified by the client
specification, post examination cleaning be done as per that specification.

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