Think of this method as a spotlight on a stage when an actor forgets their line, the spotlight makes them the centre of attention. Similarly, we apply a special liquid to a surface and this liquid seeps into any flaws, rendering them more visible, particularly with special lighting.
Penetrant inspection is a technique of testing that utilises coloured or fluorescent dye which is meticulously applied to the surface of a component. After the dye has been given sufficient time to permeate the material, any excess penetrant is removed, leaving behind a pristine clean surface.
The penetrant infiltrates any potential surface-breaking defects and once a developer is applied, the penetrant is drawn out of the surface-breaking defects, when viewed under adequate lighting or a UV light, noticeable indications can be identified and assessed.
Liquid or dye penetrant testing (PT) can detect surface-breaking flaws such as cracks, laps, and porosity. It can be applied to both ferrous and non-ferrous materials and all non-porous materials, like metals, plastics, or ceramics. It is frequently used to detect castings, forgings, and weldment faults.
