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Liquid Penetrant Inspection

Revised by J.S. Borucki, Ardrox Inc., and Gail Jordan, Howmet Corporation

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Postcleaning

Some residue will remain on workpieces after penetrant inspection is completed. In many cases, this residue has no
deleterious effects in subsequent processing or in service. There are, however, instances in which postcleaning is required.
Residues can result in the formation of voids during subsequent welding or unwanted stopoff in brazing, in the
contamination of surfaces (which can cause trouble in heat treating), or in unfavorable reactions in chemical processing
operations.

Drastic chemical or mechanical methods are seldom required for postcleaning. When justified by the volume of work, an
emulsion cleaning line is effective and reasonable in cost. In special circumstances, ultrasonic cleaning may be the only
satisfactory way of cleaning deep crevices or small holes. However, solvents or detergent-aided steam or water is almost
always sufficient. The use of steam with detergent is probably the most effective of all methods. It has a scrubbing action
that removes developers, the heat and detergent remove penetrants, it leaves a workpiece hot enough to promote rapid,
even drying, and it is harmless to nearly all materials. Vapor degreasing is very effective for removing penetrants, but it is
practically worthless for removing developers. It is frequently used in combination with steam cleaning. If this
combination is used, the steam cleaning should always be done first because vapor degreasing bakes on developer films.

Where conditions do not warrant or permit permanent cleaning installations, hand wiping with solvents is effective. Dried
developer films can be brushed off, and residual penetrants can be rinsed off by solvent spraying or wiped off with a
solvent-dampened cloth.
Copyright © 2002 ASM International®. All Rights Reserved.

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