A liquid penetrant inspection is a procedure which is performed to look for surface defects in a variety of nonferrous materials including some metals, plastics, rubber, and ceramics. This technique is low cost and easy to perform, making it appealing to a wide variety of industries. It can also be very precise, revealing flaws such as cracks caused by fatigue, damage, strain, or improper manufacturing when these cracks are too small to be seen in a casual visual inspection.
In a liquid penetrant inspection, the surface being inspected is first cleaned, to avoid interference with the test from materials which may be stuck to the surface. Then, a dye is applied, and the excess dye is wiped off. A developer is applied, and dye which has adhered to cracks and other defects will activate the developer, revealing flaws in the surface of the material being tested. The person conducting the test can determine whether or not the results fall within normal parameters, and check to see whether or not any irregularities which might have skewed the results have occurred.
A liquid penetrant inspection may be readable just by looking at the materials, or an ultraviolet light may be used to encourage the dye and developer to fluoresce, making flaws especially visible. The penetrant and developer effectively act like highlighters, literally lighting up flaws so that they can be clearly seen during an inspection.
Dye penetrant inspection, as this process is also known, can be used in a variety of settings. It may be used during the manufacturing process to check for errors which could be problematic, and it can also be used to check equipment which may have become damaged through routine use or rough impacts. For example, metal rollers used in manufacturing can be periodically evaluated with a liquid penetrant inspection to confirm that they are even. Likewise, rubber gaskets and sealers can be tested with a liquid penetrant inspection which is designed to determine whether or not the rubber has been compromised.
One of the big advantages to this technique is that it is nondestructive, placing it among a family of nondestructive evaluation methods which can be used to check performance and quality without ruining the material being tested. These techniques are used as a part of the quality control process on assembly lines as well as in labs, materials testing facilities, and a variety of other locations. People can also use liquid penetration inspections in research.
