Met-L-Chek ®

For Over 50 years; One History, One Mission,

Maximum Value!

PENETRANT PROFESSOR APPROVED

Choosing a Visible Inspection Penetrant

Met-L-Chek manufactures a complete line of visible (Type II) dye penetrant inspection materials. All the
materials are qualified to AMS-2644 . They meet the requirements of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
ASTM E-165, and ASTM E-1417 for penetrant inspection. They are low in Sulfur, Chlorine, and other Halogens,
making them safe for use on Titanium and high Nickel alloys in nuclear applications. They are certified to NAVSEA
250-1500-1, RDT, and EdF; RCC-M.

Visible inspection penetrants are used primarily for field applications were darkening the inspection area and the
use of a black light (UV-A) is impractical, in maintenance repair and safety checks, and in manufacturing processes
where a visible indication helps in locating the area for subsequent repair work, such as in large rough castings.
Visible penetrants are also used for through leak testing of heat exchangers and tanks, where penetrant is applied
to one side and developer to the other.

As a general rule of thumb visible penetrant inspection is roughly equal to level 1 sensitivity fluorescent penetrant
inspection. Discontinuities in the range of 50µ are routinely detectable and under the right conditions and processing
30µ discontinuities can be highlighted. Special high temperature visible penetrant materials are available which
permit inspection of surfaces at temperatures up to 350˚F ( 177˚C). The majority of the applications use the solvent
wipe off (Method C) technique of processing because most applications are spot or localized inspections.
Production or full part inspection may be performed with visible penetrants using Method A (water wash) or
Methods B & D ( post emulsification). All the penetrants are solvent removable (Method C). The use of a water
washable penetrant means it can be washed from the surface or wiped from the surface with water or a solvent
remover. Accidental spills of water washable penetrant are also more readily cleaned up . Water washable
biodegradable, volatile organic compound (VOC) free, and FOG (fats, oils, & grease) free materials are available
which are more environmentally friendly than the oil and solvent based materials.

VP-30 -Water washable, low viscosity, true red colored penetrant, biodegradable constituents.

VBP 300 - Water washable, high viscosity, biodegradable, free of VOC's & FOG's, dark red colored,
extended temperature range.

VP-31A - Solvent removable and post emulsifiable, low viscosity, purple colored.

VP-302 - Special high temperature penetrant used with R-502 remover and D-702 developer.

RLP-1 Water based, visible and fluorescent indications, dilute with water for leak detection.

Visible-2/6/04

Met-L-Chek® Company, 1639 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 © 2004

Phone: (310) 450-1111 Fax: (310) 452-4046 E-Mail: info@met-l-chek.com
 Met-L-Chek ®
For Over 50 years; One History, One Mission,
Maximum Value!

PENETRANT PROFESSOR APPROVED

ASTM E-1417, Type II, Methods A, B, & C Inspection Sequence

METHOD "A" METHOD "B" METHOD "C"
Water Washable Post Emulsifiable Solvent Wipe

PRE-CLEAN SURFACE PRE-CLEAN SURFACE PRE-CLEAN SURFACE

#300LF, E-59A, R-503, R0504 #300LF, E-59A, R-503, R0504 #300LF, E-59A, R-503, R0504

APPLY PENETRANT APPLY PENETRANT APPLY

VP-31A VP-30, VP-30A, VBP-300, VP-31A
VP-30, VP-30A ,or VBP-300
Part surface temperature 40-125˚F;4-52˚C VP-302*
Part surface temperature 40-125˚F;4-52˚C
Part surface temperature 40-125˚F;4-52˚C
DWELL * surface temperature 150-350˚F;65-177˚C
Minimum 10 minutes; 20 minutes
DWELL
if temperature is < 50˚F (10˚C) DWELL
Minimum 10 minutes; 20 minutes
Minimum 10 minutes; 20 minutes
if temperature is < 50˚F (10˚C)
APPLY if temperature is < 50˚F (10˚C)
E-50
WASH
Water temperature CLOTH WIPE WITH
50 - 100 ˚F;10 - 38˚C WASH
Water temperature E-59, E-59A, R-503, R-504
50 - 100 ˚F;10 - 38˚C R-502*
Part surface temperature 40-125˚F;4-52˚C
* surface temperature 150-350˚F;65-177˚C

DRY APPLY DRY APPLY

AQUEOUS AQUEOUS
DEVELOPER DEVELOPER
D-78B D-78B

SPRAY ON NONAQUEOUS
SPRAY ON SPRAY ON DEVELOPER
NONAQUEOUS NONAQUEOUS D-70 or D-702*
DEVELOPER DEVELOPER Part surface temperature 40-125˚F;4-52˚C
D-70 DRY D-70 DRY * surface temperature 150-350˚F;65-177˚C

DWELL DWELL DWELL

Minimum 10 minutes Minimum 10 minutes Minimum 10 minutes

INSPECT INSPECT INSPECT

Use visible light of 100 foot-candles Use visible light of 100 foot-candles Use visible light of 100 foot-candles
( 1000 lux) Inspect from 10 minutes to ( 1000 lux) Inspect from 10 minutes to ( 1000 lux) Inspect from 10 minutes to
1 hour after developer application. 1 hour after developer application. 1 hour after developer application.
Visible-3/6/04

Met-L-Chek® Company, 1639 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 © 2004

Phone: (310) 450-1111 Fax: (310) 452-4046 E-Mail: info@met-l-chek.com
 Met-L-Chek ®
For Over 50 years; One History, One Mission,
Maximum Value!

PENETRANT PROFESSOR APPROVED

Visible, Type II, Inspection Penetrants

Met-L-Chek manufactures a complete line of visible dye penetrants (Type II, Methods A, B, & C) designed to meet
the most critical inspection applications. All the penetrants are listed on the Qualified Products List for AMS-2644.
They meet the requirements of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASTM E-165 and ASTM E-1417 for
penetrant inspection materials. They are low in Sulfur, Chlorine, and other Halogens, making them safe for use on
Titanium and high Nickel alloys in nuclear applications and are certified to NAVSEA 250-1500-1 and RDT.

VP-30 This is a water washable visible red penetrant
(Method A), which is also qualified as a solvent
removable penetrant (Method C). VP-30, is one of the
most versatile visible penetrants available on the market
today, finding applications in welding, petrochemical,
dairy & food processing, pharmaceutical, nuclear, and
general metal working inspections. For most
applications, it is water washed from the surface of the
work piece. It also may be removed by the solvent wipe
technique using approved Met-L-Chek removers E-
59, E-59A, R-503, or R-504. For most applications
Met-L-Chek nonaqueous developer, D-70 is used to
provide an absorbent, high contrast white background to
facilitate discontinuity detection. Sulfur content < 0.02
%, Halogen content < 0.02 %.
VP-31A This is a post emulsifiable or solvent
removable visible red dye penetrant (Methods B & C).
In Method C applications, Met-L-Chek E-59, E-59A,
R-503, or R-504 may be used as wipe solvents for
penetrant film removal. In Method B applications Met-
L-Chek E-50 emulsifier is used to render the penetrant
film water removable. Met-L-Chek D-70 non aqueous
developer is used to form a uniform background to
facilitate discontinuity detection. Sulfur content < 0.03
%, Halogen content < 0.03 %.
E-50 This is a special emulsifier for VP-31A. In
Method B applications E-50 is sprayed onto the
penetrant film, allowed to dwell 30 seconds, and then
the film is washed from the surface. This is particularly
useful on very rough castings and weld surfaces..
VBP-300 This is a high sensitivity, V.O.C. free
(volatile organic compound), biodegradable, water
washable penetrant. It may be used in the water
washable mode (Method A) or as a solvent removable
penetrant (Method C). This formula is free of fats, oils,
greases (F.O.G.) and heavy metals as constituents, and
as such is one of the most environmentally friendly red
dye penetrants available. Sulfur content < 0.03 %,
Halogen content < 0.03 %.
VP-302 This is a special high temperature visible red
dye penetrant used for applications where the part
surface temperature is 150 ˚F to 350 ˚F (65 ˚C to 177 ˚C).
The high temperature penetrant is used with
Met-L-Chek R-502 remover and Met-L-Chek D-702
developer in a Method C wipe process. Sulfur content <
0.05 %, Halogen content < 0.05 %.
R-502 This is a special high temperature penetrant
remover. It is used in the Method C wipe removal of VP-
302 from parts at a temperature of 150 ˚F to 350 ˚F (65
˚C to 177 ˚C). Sulfur content < 0.05 %, Halogen
content < 0.05 %.
RLP-1 This is a special water based leak detector
penetrant which gives a visible red indication under
white light and an orange fluorescent indication under
UV-A illumination. The material may be deluted with
water to the desired color strength for the specific
application needs of through leak testing.
Visible-1/6/04

Met-L-Chek® Company, 1639 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 © 2004

Phone: (310) 450-1111 Fax: (310) 452-4046 E-Mail: info@met-l-chek.com
 Met-L-Chek ®
For Over 50 years; One History, One Mission,
Maximum Value!

PENETRANT PROFESSOR APPROVED

VBP-300, Type-II, Water Washable Inspection Penetrant

Met-L-Chek VBP-300 is a water washable visible red dye penetrant, designed for general metalworking , welding,
and automotive inspection applications. It is free of solvents, oils, and volatile organic compounds as constituents,
and is considered a biodegradable penetrant. It is listed on the Qualified Products List for AMS-2644. It meets the
requirements of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASTM E-165, ASTM E-1417 and ASTM E-1418 for
penetrant inspection materials. It is low in Sulfur, Chlorine, and other Halogens, making it safe for use on Titanium
and high Nickel alloys for nuclear applications.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES per AMS-2644 SHELF LIFE

FORM: Red liquid 5 years from date of manufacture.

FLASH POINT: > 250˚F (121˚C) PMCC. AVAILABLE IN

AMS-2644 requirement minimum 200˚F. 1/2 pt. with dauber, 1 qt.(0.9L),1 gal.(3.7L.),
5 gal.(18.9L.), & 55 gal. 208L.)
VISCOSITY: 25.6 cs. @ 100˚F (32˚C).
SPECIFICATIONS
DENSITY: 8.3 lbs/Gal. (986gr/L). AMS-2644
ASME B & PV code, section V ASTM E-165
WATER TOLERANCE: 15 % ASTM E-1417 ASTM E-1418
AMS-2644 requirement minimum 5 %. MIL-I-25135E
NAVSEA-T9074-AS-GIB-010/271
SENSITIVITY : Equal to AMS-2644 standard.
HEALTH / SAFETY / SHIPPING
REMOVABILITY: Equal to AMS-2644 standard. Health- 1 Flammability- 1 Reactivity- 0

CORROSION: Contains no known Carcinogens.

Carbon Steel- none. Avoid inhalation or repeated skin contact.
Nickel steel- none Wear protective gloves and eye wear.
Aluminum- none. Dispose of as nonhazardous oily waste.
Magnesium- none. D.O.T.- Not regulated.
Titanium-none.
SEE MSDS for complete health and safety
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS: information.
Chloride- < 0.03 % (< 300 ppm).
Fluoride < 0.01% (< 100 ppm).
Sulfur- < 0.03 % (< 300 ppm).
Sodium- < 0.01% (< 100 ppm).
Heavy Metals- nil.
Ozone Layer Depleting Substances-none.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's)- none. Visible-6/6/04

Met-L-Chek® Company, 1639 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 © 2004

Phone: (310) 450-1111 Fax: (310) 452-4046 E-Mail: info@met-l-chek.com