7.17 Blacklight Connection Inspection.

7.17.1 Scope. This procedure covers examination of all ferromagnetic mid body and end connection for
transverse surface flaws using the wet fluorescent magnetic particle (blacklight) technique.

7.17.2 Inspection Apparatus. The following inspection equipment shall be used:

a. Particle bath mediums.

 Petroleum-based mediums which exhibit nature fluorescent under blacklight shall not be used.
Diesel fuel and gasoline are not acceptable.
 Water-based mediums are acceptable it the wet the surface without visible gaps. It incomplete
coverage occurs, additional cleaning, a new particle bath, or the addition of more wetting
agents may be necessary.

b. Blacklight Equipment. A blacklight source and a blacklight intensity meter are required. The
blacklight intensity meter shall have a tag or sticker attached showing calibration in the past six
months. The tag or sticker shall show the date of calibration, the due date of the next
calibration, as well as the company and indivi8dual performing the calibration.

c. An ASTM centrifuge tube and stand are required.

d. Coil. A DC coil with a rated capability to induce a longitudinal magnetic field of at least 1200
amp-turns per inch of connection OD is required.

e. Required magnetic particle field indicators (MPFI) include a pocket magnetometer and either a
magnetic flux indicator strip or a magnetic penetrameter (pie gauge).

f. A calibrated light meter to verify illumination. Light intensity meter shall have a tag or sticker
attached showing calibration in the past six months. The tag or sticker shall show the date or
calibration, the due date of the next calibration , as well as the company and individual
performing the calibration.

g. A mirror shall be used for examination of box thread roots. It may also be used for examination
of pin ID.

h. Boots (or tarps) shall be used to darken the area if necessary.

7.17.3 Preparation. All surface to be inspected shall be cleaned to a degree that the metal surfaces are
visible and no traces of grease, thread dope, or corrosion products are detected by wiping with a dry,
unused white paper towel or tissue. Surfaces to be cleaned and inspected include the entire machined
areas of both pin and box, including the entire pin ID from the pin tip to pin shoulder, a minimum of 1
inch beyond the last thread in a non-stress relieved box, and a minimum of 1 inch beyond the last
scratch thread in a box with bareback stress relief feature.

7.17.4 Procedure and Acceptance Criteria.

a. Particle Concentration shall range from 0.1 to 0.4 mL/100 mL when measured using an ASTM
100 mL centrifuge tube. With a minimum setting time of 30 minutes in water-based carriers or 1
hour in oil-based carries.

b. Blacklight Intensity shall be measured with an ultraviolet light meter each time the light is
turned on, after every 8 hours of operation, and at the completion of the job. The minimum
intensity shall be 1000 microwatts/cm² at fifteen inches from the light source or at the distance
to be used for inspection, whichever is greater.

c. The intensity of ambient visible light, measured at the inspection surface, during wet fluorescent
magnetic particle inspection, shall not exceed 2 ft-candles.

d. Determine the polarity of the existing magnetic field (if any) in each end of the test piece using
the pocket magnetometer. Mark each end “+” (positive) or “-“ (negative), whichever applies.
The magnetizing coil shall be placed on the connection so as to reinforce (not oppose) any field
already present. Magnetizing current activation and magnetic particle solution application shall
be performed simultaneously. The solution shall be distributed over the area described in
paragraph 7.17.3. The magnetizing current shall remain on for at least 2 seconds after the
solution has been distributed. The shall be agitated before each application.

e. Proper field magnitude and orientation shall be verified under blacklight with either the
magnetic flux indicator strip or the magnetic penetrameter placed on the internal surface of
each connection while the solution is being applied and the power is activated.

f. The inspection surface of each connection shall be examined under blacklight . unless the pipe is
vertical, each length shall be rolled to allow 360° examination and to allow areas under solution
“puddles” to be inspected. A mirror shall be used to examine box thread roots. Particular
attention should be given to the last engaged thread roots of pin and box.

g. Any crack within the machined areas of the pin and box or within one inch of the back of a box ,
shall be cause for rejection . Grinding to remove cracks is not permitted, but areas with
questionable indications may be recleaned with a nonmetallic and nonabrasive buffing wheel
and reinspected. If the indication reappears, the connection shall be rejected.
7.18 Liquid Penetrant Inspection

7.18.1 Scope. This procedure covers examination of midbody and end connections, and external
surfaces of specialty tool components made from non-magnetic material for surface flaws
visible water- washable, self-developing penetrant techniques may be employed.

7.18.2 Inspection Apparatus.

a. Penetrant and developer shall be from same manufacturer. The labeling on the
penetrant materials shall specify that the materials meet the sulfur and halogen
requirements of ASTM E165.

b. Dry powder or solvent-based (aqueous and non- aqueous) developers may be used for
the visible techniques.

c. The quality of the penetrant materials and inspection procedure shall be verified by
testing a cracked test piece. The test piece may be a liquid penetrant comparator as
described in section V, ASME boiler and pressure vessel code or a quench-cracked 3/8
inch block of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy plate.

d. A calibrated light meter to verify illumination. Light intensity meter shall have tag or
sticker attached showing calibration in the past six months. The tag or sticker shall show
the date of calibration, the due date of the next calibration, as well as the company and
individual performing the calibration.

e. Blacklight Equipment. A blacklight source and an ultraviolet light meter are required.
The ultraviolet light intensity meter shall have a tag or sticker attached showing
calibration in the past six months. The tag or sticker shall show the date of calibration,
the due date of the next calibration, as well as the company and individual performing
the calibration. Blacklight intensity shall be measured with an ultraviolet light meter
each time the light is turned on, after every 8 hours of operation, and at the completion
of the job. The minimum intensity shall be 1000 microwatts/cm² at fifteen inches from
the light source or at the distance to be used for inspection, whichever is greater.

f. A mirror is required for examination of box thread and pin ID.

g. An intensive light source is required for the visible techniques which is capable of
producing a visible light intensity of at least 50 ft-candles at the inspection surface.
7.18.3 Preparation.

a. All surfaces to be inspected (including the test piece) shall be cleaned to a degree that the metal
surfaces are visible and no traces of grease, thread dope, or corrosion products are detected by
wiping with a dry, unused white paper towel or tissue. Surfaces to be cleaned and inspected
include the entire machined areas of both pin and box, including the entire pin ID from the pin
tip to the pin shoulder, a minimum of 1 inch beyond the last thread in a non-stress relieved box,
and a minimum of 1 inch beyond the last scratch thread in a box with boreback stress relief
feature. Internal surfaces, on equipment with a pin ID 2 inches or smaller, are exempt from
being inspected. If any bleed-back of residue from imperfections is noted, the inspection area
shall be recleaned.

b. Cleaning shall be accomplished by one of the following methods.

 Steam or hot water and detergent
 Mineral spirits
 Commercial penetrant solvent

c. After cleaning, the inspection surface shall be dried to a degree that a dry, unused paper towel
or tissue rubbed on the surface does not absorb any moisture. It other than commercial
penetrant solvent is used, the surfaces shall receive final cleaning with acetone, methyl-ethyl
ketone, or an equivalent solvent.

d. The same cleaning and process steps shall be performed on the component and the test piece
temperature shall be within 5° Fahrenheit of the temperature of the parts to be inspected.

7.18.4 Penetrant Application.

a. The test piece shall be inspected before the component. If the cracks in the test piece are not
visible, the inspection shall not be performed on the component. The cause of the failure must
be corrected and the piece successfully retested before proceeding.
b. The penetrant shall be applied over the areas to be inspected, including the areas identified in
7.18.3.a.

c. A mirror shall be used to check for complete coverage on box threads.

d. The penetrant shall not be allowed to dry. Additional penetrant may be applied to prevent
drying but the part shall be re-cleaned if the penetrant dries.

e. The dwell time (length of time the penetrant remains on the surface of the pipe) shall be a
minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes unless the penetrant manufacturer’s
recommendations are in conflict. If this is the case, the manufacturer’s recommendation shall be
used. For ambient temperatures between 40°F and 50°F the dwell time shall be a minimum of
 20 minutes. Penetrant testing shall not be performed if the ambient temperature is less than
40°F or greater than 125°F.

7.18.5 Excess Penetrant Removal.

a. Water washable systems. The excess penetrant shall be removed with a low-pressure water
spray ( maximum 40 psi). The part shall be air dried or dried by blotting with dry , lint free cloths,
if forced warm air is used for drying the part , the forced air temperature at the part surface
shall not exceed 120° Fahrenheit. For fluorescent penetrant , to prevent or – washing, a
blacklight shall be used and the spray terminated immediately after the back ground has been
removed.

b. Visible solvent removable systems. The part surface shall first be white with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Solvent shall than be sprayed on a similar cloth and the cloth used to remove the remaining
surface penetrant. This step may have to be repeated . finally, the part surface shall be wiped
with a dry, lint-free cloth. Note: solvent shall not be sprayed or otherwise applied directly to the
test surface.

c. An intensive light source is required for the visible techniques which is capable of producing a
visible light intensity of at least 50 ft-candles at the inspection surface.

d. A mirror shall be used to check for complete removal of excess penetrant from box threads and
ID surfaces.

7.18.6 Developer Application (Steps A and B are not required for self-developing penetrants).

a. The developer shall be applied within five minutes after completion of the post-rinse drying
operation.
b. The method of application of developer shall provide visually uniform coverage over the surface
being examined
c. The developing time shall be one half of the allowed penetrant dwell time but not less then 7
nor more then 30 minutes.

7.18.7 Examination and acceptance criteria.

a. Initial examination to d8etect gross imperfections and contamination on the surface shall be
made within one minute after developer application. A blacklight shall be used during
inspections using fluorescent penetrant.

b. Final examination shall be made after full developing time.

 c. For visible penetrant. The minimum illumination level at the inspection surface shall be 50 foot-
candles. Inspector’s compliance with training and visual acuity requirement shall be
documented. Light intensity level at the inspection surface must be verified:

 At the start of each inspection job.

 When light fixtures change positions or intensity.
 Change in relative position of the inspected surface with respect to the light fixture.
 When requested by the customer or its designated representative.
 Upon completion of the inspection job

The requirement do not apply to direct sunlight conditions. If adjustments are required To the light
intensity level at the inspection surface, all components inspected since the last light intensity level
verification shall be re-inspected.

a. For fluorescent penetrant . the intensity of ambient visible light measured at the inspection
surface, during fluorescent liquid penetrant inspection shall not exceed 2 ft-candle.

b. All area of interest shall be examined for cracks or crack-like indication. The last engaged thread
roots of pins and boxes should received particular attention a mirror shall be used to inspect
surfaces in boxes.
c. Cracks. Any crack shall be cause for rejection.

d. Indications. Parts with questionable indications shall be re-cleaned and re-inspected. A

repeatable indication shall be cause for rejection. Grinding or buffing of indication is prohibited.

e. After inspection, penetrant and developer shall be removed with water or solvent spray. With
fluorescent penetrant, a blacklight shall be used to check for complete removal.