Liquid penetrant testing (PT)

This is a method which can be employed for the detection of open-to-surface discontinuities in any
industrial product which is made from a non-porous material. This method is widely used for testing of
non-magnetic materials. In this method a liquid penetrant is applied to the surface of the product for a
certain predetermined time, after which the excess penetrant is removed from the surface. The surface
is then dried and a developer is applied to it. The penetrant which remains in the discontinuity is absorbed
by the developer to indicate the presence as well as the location, size and nature of the discontinuity.

The liquid penetrant processes can be listed as:

(1) Post emulsifiable fluorescent dye penetrant.

(2) Solvent removable fluorescent dye penetrant.

(3) Water washable fluorescent dye penetrant.

(4) Post emulsifiable visible dye penetrant.

(5) Solvent removable visible dye penetrant.

(6) Water washable visible dye penetrant.