LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-

CHAPTER – 1- INTRODUCTION
Liquid Penetrant Test (LPT) Mechanism
 
 Liquid penetrant testing is a non-destructive means of locating Surface discontinuities by bleed out of a
coloured or fluorescent dye from the flow. The technique is based on Capillary or capillary action.

ADVANTAGES
 
a. No costly instrument is needed
b. Test can be performed at any location
c. Too much personnel skill is not required
d. Test can be done on any metal and non-metal except porous material

DISADVANTAGES
 
a. Limited to surface open flaws
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 2- MECHANISM
General Procedure for LPT
 
 1. Pre-cleaning
2. Flushing the surface with solvent and wipe with clean lint free cotton
3. Application of penetrant
4. Penetrant dwell time
5. Excess penetrant removal
6. Evaporation of solvent
7. Application of Developer and constant monitoring of the formation of flaw
8. Developer dwell time
9. Interpretation and evaluation of indication
10. Permanent record of indication (Photograph, Sketch, Replica etc. )
11. Post Cleaning
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 2- MECHANISM
Steps for Penetrant Test
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 2- MECHANISM
Penetrant Application
-Spray
-Brush
-Pouring
-Dipping
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 2- MECHANISM
Excess Penetrant Removal

1. Method A: Water-Washable
2. Method B: Post-Emulsifiable, Lipophilic
3. Method C: Solvent Removable
4. Method D: Post-Emulsifiable, Hydrophilic

Solvent removal Method – Wipe the maximum

 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 3- TYPE OF PENETRANT
Type of Penetrant Test
 Type I Fluorescent
 
Method A Water Washable (Group IV)
Method B Post Emulsifiable (Group V & Group VI)
Method C Solvent (Group I)
 
 Type II Visible
 
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 4- PROPERTIES OF PENETRANT MATERIAL
The Penetrant power depends on
1. Surface Tension – Governs by the combination effect of Cohesive force and Adhesive force
Cohesive- The attraction force between molecules of similar element
Adhesive – The attraction force between dissimilar element

When adhesive force is greater than the cohesive force, the liquid wets the surface and its
CONTACT ANGLE is reduces

Lower the Contact Angle better the wettability (The ability of the liquid is to wet the surface)
Better the Wettability better the penetration power.
When contact Angle is 900 or more, the liquid can’t spread
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 4- PROPERTIES OF PENETRANT MATERIAL
Capillary Action

In capillary rise (Fig. a), the meniscus does not pull the liquid up
the tube; rather, the hydrostatic pressure immediately under the
meniscus is reduced by the distribution of the surface tension in
the concave surface, and the liquid is pushed up the capillary
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 4- PROPERTIES OF PENETRANT MATERIAL
Capillary Action

In capillary rise (Fig. a), the meniscus does not pull the liquid up
the tube; rather, the hydrostatic pressure immediately under the
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 4- PROPERTIES OF PENETRANT MATERIAL
Flash Point
Higher flash point is recommended for the penetrant test

Flammability

Volatility
Moderate volatility is recommended for satisfactory indication formation

Chemical Activity

Washability

Electric Conductivity
 LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING STUDY GUIDE-
CHAPTER – 4- PROPERTIES OF PENETRANT MATERIAL

Visibility of a Penetrant depends on

1.Type of dye in the penetrant

2.Concentration of the dye
3.Fading characteristic that are caused by exposure
to heat, chemical contamination or black light.