See the steps in water washable and post emulsifiable penetrant

processing, plus 5 tips for penetrant testing, in our Penetrant Testing

Process Guide Poster

Post Emulsifiable Penetrants

A post emulsifiable penetrant should be used when removal of the penetrant from
the defect due to over-washing of the part is a concern. These parts usually have
smooth surfaces and perform critical functions which require higher sensitivity to
smaller defects.
Post emulsifiable penetrants require a separate emulsifier or remover to break the
penetrant down so the excess penetrant can be rinsed off with water, while the
penetrant in the indication stays put.
Method C, solvent-removable, penetrant removal technique relies on a solvent-
based cleaner, like SKC-S NDT cleaner/remover, to remove the penetrant from the
part being inspected.
Method B lipophilic and Method D hydrophilic penetrant systems require an
additional processing step where a separate emulsification agent is applied to make
the excess penetrant more removable with a water rinse.
Lipophilic emulsifiers are oil-based materials that are supplied in ready-to-use form.
Hydrophilic emulsifiers are water-based and supplied as a concentrate that must be
diluted with water prior to use.

Advantages of post emulsifiable penetrants

 Higher sensitivity to smaller defects

 Shows wide, shallow defects
 More controlled removal of penetrant from the part surface

Disadvantages of post emulsifiable penetrants

 Extra processing steps depending on Method B or Method D

 Emulsification time control is critical
 Penetrant removal is difficult in threaded parts, holes and slots
 Not good on rough surfaces

Discover more about Magnaflux PE Liquid Penetrants

 ZL-2C, Level 2 post-emulsifiable fluorescent penetrant

 ZL-27A, Level 3 post-emulsifiable fluorescent penetrant
 ZL-37, Level 4 post-emulsifiable fluorescent penetrant
 

Emulsifiers for Post Emulsifiable Penetrants

Lipophilic emulsifiers like ZE-4E Method B emulsifier work through both chemical

and mechanical action.
After the lipophilic emulsifier has coated the surface of the part, mechanical action
starts to remove some of the excess penetrant as the mixture drains from the part.
During the emulsification time, the emulsifier diffuses into the remaining surface
penetrant and the resulting mixture is easily removed from the part surface with a
water spray.
Hydrophilic emulsifiers like ZR-10E Method D emulsifier also remove the excess
penetrant with mechanical and chemical action but the action is different than with a
lipophilic emulsifier because no diffusion takes place.
Hydrophilic emulsifiers are basically detergents that contain surfactants in their
formulations. The hydrophilic emulsifier breaks up the penetrant into small pieces
and prevents these pieces from recombining or reattaching to the surface of the part.
The mechanical action of the rinse water removes the displaced penetrant from the
part surface and causes fresh emulsifier to contact and lift newly exposed penetrant
from the surface.
 

Developers for Post Emulsifiable Penetrants

Most types of penetrant developers are suitable for use with PE penetrants including,
Form a dry powder, Form b water-soluble, Form c water-suspendible, Form d
nonaqueous for Type 1 fluorescent penetrant and Form e nonaqueous for Type 2
visible penetrant.
Dry powders, such as ZP-4B developer are also commonly used with fluorescent
post emulsifiable penetrants. Before using a dry developer, it is important that the
part be completely dried after the rinse step before developer application.
Dry powder developer can be applied by immersion, by dusting with hand held
powder bulbs or by an automated system.
A non-aqueous developer such as ZP-9F solvent-based developer is a convenient
developer for portable fluorescent aerosol penetrant testing.
Although less common than dry powder developers, water soluble developers may
be used with post emulsifiable penetrant. ZP-14A water soluble developer is
supplied as a white free flowing powder and is dissolved in water to form a developer
solution. ZP-14A developer solution does not require agitation once the developer
bath is prepared.
 
What other differences have you noticed between water washable and PE
penetrants?