LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

(PT)
LEVEL II
Prepared by:

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

MAGNETIC PARTICLE TEST Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 CH 1: INTRODUCTION

Liquid penetrant testing : • 

nondestructive means
locating surface discontinuities
based on capillary action.


Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

PT Steps
1. The liquid is applied to the surface of the specimen

2. sufficient time is allowed

3. The Surface of the part is cleaned

4. capillary Action is again employed to act as a Blotter to draw

penetrant from the Discontinuity.

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 PT Steps

The liquid penetrant contains : 

1. a colored dye seen in white light,

2. a fluorescent Dye visible under black

(ultraviolet) light
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
PT Steps

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 PT Steps

1- Apply Penetrant

2- Time allowed for penetrant

3- Remove Excess

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

PT Steps

4) Apply Developer 

5) Visual Inspection 

6) Post Clean Component 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Precaution

• Anything that could block the penetrant from

entering the discontinuity must be removed
A list of contaminants that must be removed:
– Dirt. – Grease.
– Rust. – Scale.
– Acids.
– And even water.
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
Caution About Metal Smearing

• Surface preparation by
1. shot or
2. Sandblasting
 is not recommended because
discontinuities that were open to the
surface may be blocked by the shot or
sandblasting.
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
 Historically

 Penetrant inspection was called:

 the "oil and whiting method.

 It used kerosene and a white powder for the

inspection & then the process has been improved

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
Almost any materialthat has
smooth, non-porous surface
(Aluminum, Magnesium, Brass,
Copper, Cast Iron,Stainless Steel,
and Titanium)
Ceramics, Plastics, Molded Rubber,
Powdered metal, Glass.
Penetrant testing is limited by:
1. discontinuities that are not open to the surface
2. or having porous surface
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
The liquid penetrants can be categorized by
the type of dye they contain.

1 Visible dye penetrants: contain a 

colored (usually red) dye.
2 Fluorescent penetrants: contain a 
fluorescent dye.
3 Dual sensitivity: penetrants contain a 
combination of visible and fluorescent
dyes.
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
 Penetrants can be categorized by
the removal the excess penetrant

 1. Water-washable: penetrants removable with plain water.

 2. Post-emulsified penetrants: require a separate emulsifier to

make the penetrant water washable.

 3. Solvent removable penetrants: must be removed with a

solvent which is typical when using visible dye in pressurized spray cans.
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
The selection of the best process
depends on:

1. Sensitivity required. 
2. Number of articles to be tested 
3. Surface condition of part being inspected. 
4. Configuration of test specimen 
5. Availability of water, electricity …etc. 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

CH 2: PT Equipment's & Materials

 Cleaning Equipment's:
 Proper cleaning is essential to liquid penetrant
test for two reasons:
 1- if the specimen is not clean and dry,
penetrant testing is ineffective.
 2- if the specimen of penetrant materials
are not removed after the test, they may
have harmful effect on the specimen
(chlorine and sulfur may affect some alloys)

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Pre-cleaning Equipment's:

– Immersion tanks. 
– Vapor degreasing 
– Steam 
– Solvent cleaning 
– Acid or alkaline remover 
– Paint removal. 
– Etching 
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
Prohibited methods:

– Blasting 

– Wire brush (Automatic Manual) 

Etching of the surface prior to inspection is sometimes required 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Penetrant Test Equipment (Portable)

Both visible and fluorescent dye 

penetrants are available in kits

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 A visible dye penetrant kit usually
contains

1. Pressurized spray cans of cleaning or removal 

fluid.
2. Pressurized spray cans of visible dye penetrant. 
3. Pressurized spray cans of nonaqueous developer. 
4.Wiping cloths and brushes 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

A fluorescent dye penetrant kit usually
contains:
1. A portable black light and transformer. 
2. Pressurized spray cans of cleaning or removal 
fluid.
3. Pressurized spray cans of fluorescent dye 
penetrant.
4. Pressurized spray cans of nonaqueous 
developer.
5. Wiping cloths and brushes 
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
Black light equipment:

 Required in fluorescent penetrant testing.

emits a special light with wavelengths
falls between visible and ultraviolet cause
the penetrant to fluoresce.
 filter be checked prior to each use.
 At least a five minute heat-up time

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 Penetrant Testing Materials
1. Water washable penetrants 
2. Post emulsifiable penetrants 
3. Solvent-removable penetrants 
4. Emulsifiers 5. Removers (solvent) 
6. Dry developers A7. Wet developers 
8. Non aqueous wet developers 
9. Low sulfur and low chlorine 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Safety Precautions:

 cause skin irritations.

 The ultraviolet can cause sunburn and may be

injurious to the eyes.

 Fire many penetrant materials are flammable

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

 CH 3: Surface preparation and
penetrant application
Cleaning: 
 The following are typical cleaning methods
 -Detergent cleaning – Vapor degreasing
– Steam cleaning – Ultrasonic cleaning 
– Paint removal – Etching 
– Rust and surface scale removal 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Penetrant Properties

1. The ability to hold a dye material in suspension. 

2. The ability to carry the dye into any discontinuity 

open to the surface.

3. The ability to bring up the dye as it is coaxed “back 

to the surface”.

4. The ability to be easily removed. 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
types of dye penetrants

1. Visible

2. Fluorescent

dual sensitivity: contains both

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Penetrant Application

– Spraying 

– Brushing. 

– Immersion. 

– Pouring. 

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Penetration (dwell) time

 The time which the penetrant is permitted

to remain on the specimen is a vital part of
the test.
 The temperature of the specimen and
temperature of the penetrant can affect
the required dwell time.

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Penetrant Testing Processes

Water Washable Penetrants: 

 Have a built-in emulsifier and the
penetrant is easily removed by a water
rinse.

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Solvent Removable Penetrants
 Have the advantage of portability
 They are excellent for many maintenance
 for checking portions of a larger structure
 Penetrant is often applied from a pressurized
spray can
 After dwell time the excess penetrant is first
removed by wiping

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad

Post-emulsification penetrants:
 Require a two-step removal process.
 The emulsifier is usually applied by dipping or
immersion but not by brushing
 Too short emulsification time: will cloud
over discontinuities
 Too long emulsification time: penetrant
within the discontinuities be washed away
with excess penetrant.
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad


Fixing and Recording Indications

1. Photographs.

2. Special wax and plastic film

developer
Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad
 The END

Eng.: Mohammad Hassan Abdel-Gawad