Technical Writing
Stratton 1
Bryan E Stratton
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Type 1 Method D procedure
Part: Ski Lift Grip
Acceptance standard: No cracks permitted
Type- Liquid penetrant
Type 1 Fluorescent Dye Method D Hydrophilic Emulsifier
Pre cleaning
Penetrant application
Hydrophilic emulsifier
Post rinse
Dryer
Developer
Examination
Post cleaning
Governing code: Stratton-1A
1.1 Type I Fluorescent, Method D - Post-Emulsifiable, Hydrophilic.
1.2 Method D- Hydrophilic Emulsifiers
1.3 Developers
1.4 Dry Powder Developer
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 2
1.5 Precleaning - The success of any penetrant examination procedure is greatly dependent upon the surface and discontinuity being free of any contaminant (solid or liquid) that might
interfere with the penetrant process. All parts or areas of parts to be inspected must be clean and
dry before the penetrant is applied. All contaminants shall be removed from the area being examined as defined by the contracting parties. Clean is intended to mean that the surface must be
free of any rust, scale, welding flux, spatter, grease, paint, oily films, dirt, etc., that might interfere with penetration. All of these contaminants can prevent the penetrant from entering discontinuities.
1.6 Drying After Cleaning - It is essential that the surface be thoroughly dry after cleaning, since any liquid residue will hinder the entrance of the penetrant. Drying may be accomplished by warming the parts in drying ovens. Dryer temperature should not exceed 160 degrees
F.
1.7 Penetrant Application - After the part has been cleaned, dried, and is within the
specified temperature range, apply the penetrant to the surface to be inspected by dipping so that
the entire part or area under examination is completely covered with penetrant.
1.8 Mode of Application - Dipping
1.9 Penetrant Dwell Time - After application, allow excess penetrant to drain from the
part (care should be taken to prevent pools of penetrant on the part), while allowing for proper
penetrant dwell time. Unless otherwise specified the dwell time shall not exceed the maximum
recommended by the manufacturer.
1.9.1 Penetrant dwell time 5 min Developing time 10 min
Type of Discontinuity - cold shuts, porosity, lack of 5 10 fusion, cracks (all forms)
(a) For temperature range from 40 to 120oF (4 to 49oC)
(b) Maximum penetrant dwell time 60 min.
(c) Development time begins as soon as the dry developer is applied. Maximum development
time is 10 min
2 Prerinsing - Directly after the required Penetrant Dwell time, it is recommended that the parts
be prerinsed prior to emulsification. This step allows for the removal of excess surface penetrant
from the parts prior to emulsification so as to minimize the degree of penetrant contamination in
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 3
the hydrophilic emulsifier bath, thereby extending its life. In addition, prerinsing of penetrated
parts allows for the minimization of possible oily penetrant pollution in the final rinse step of this
process.
2.1 Prerinsing Controls - Effective prerinsing is accomplished by manual water spray
rinsing of the parts as follows:
(a) Control water temperature within the range of 50 to 100F (10 to 38C).
(b) Spray rinse at water pressure of 25 to 40 psi (175 to 275 kPa).
(c) Prerinse time should be maintained at the least possible time to provide a consistent residue
of penetrant on parts, nominally 60 s maximum wash time to be as specified by the part or material specification.
(d) Water should be free of contaminants that could clog spray nozzles or leave a residue on
parts.
2.2 Application of Emulsifier - After the required penetration time and following the
prerinse, the residual surface penetrant on parts is emulsified by immersing the parts in a hydrophilic emulsifier bath thereby rendering the remaining residual surface penetrant waterwashable in the final rinse station.
2.3 Immersion - parts are completely immersed in the emulsifier bath.
(a) The concentration, percent volume, shall be no higher than specified by the penetrant system
supplier.
(b) Immersion contact time should be kept to the minimum time consistent with an acceptable
background and should not exceed 120 s.
(c) Emulsifier drain time begins immediately after parts have been withdrawn from the emulsifier tank and continues until the parts are washed in the final rinse station
2.4 Dip Application - All part surfaces should be evenly and uniformly dipped to effectively emulsify the residual penetrant on part surfaces to render it water- washable.
(a) The concentration of the emulsifier for spray application should be in accordance with the
manufacturers recommendations, but should not exceed 5 %.
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 4
(a) Contact time should be kept to the least possible time consistent with an acceptable background and should not exceed 120 s or the maximum time specified by the part or material specification.
(b) If over-removal is suspected, dry and reclean the part and reapply the penetrant for the prescribed dwell time.
2.5 Post-Rinsing of Hydrophilic Emulsified Parts - Effective post-rinsing of emulsified
penetrant from the surface can be accomplished using manual spray.
2.6 Spray Post-Rinsing - Following emulsification parts can be post-rinsed by manual
water spray rinsing as follows:
(a)Spray rinse water pressure shall not exceed 40 psi (275 kPa) when manual, automated, or hydro-air spray guns are used.
(b) The maximum spray rinse time should not exceed 120 s unless otherwise specified by part or
materials specification.
(c) Control rinse water temperature within the range of 50 to 100F (10 to 38C).
2.7 Drying - During the preparation of parts for examination, drying is necessary prior to
applying dry developer. Drying time will vary with the size, nature, and number of parts under
examination.
2.8 Drying Modes - Parts will be dried by using a hot-air recirculating oven. (WarningDrying oven temperature should not exceed 160F (71C).)
2.8.5 Dryer Calibration- Calibration of acceptable heat standards will be monitored via
a digital heat gauge located on the upper portion of the dryer.
2.9 Drying Time Limits - Do not allow parts to remain in the drying oven any longer
than is necessary to dry the part. Excessive time in the dryer may impair the sensitivity of the
examination.
3 Developer Application: Powder bulb dusting
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 5
3.1 Mode of Application - The mode of effective application for this part will be by the
use of powder bulbs
3.1.5 Dry Powder Developers - Apply immediately after drying in such a manner as to
assure complete coverage. Parts will be dusted with the powder developer through a hand powder bulb. Other means suited to the size and geometry of the specimen may be used provided the
powder is dusted evenly over the entire surface being examined. Excess powder may be removed
by shaking or tapping the part gently.
3.2 Developer Time - Developing time for dry developer begins immediately after application of the dry developer. The minimum developer dwell time shall be 10 mins. The maximum
developer dwell time shall be 4 h for dry developers.
3.3 Examination - Perform examination of parts after the applicable development time
as specified above to allow for bleedout of penetrant from discontinuities onto the developer
coating. It is good practice to observe the surface while applying the developer as an aid in evaluating indications.
3.4 Visible Ambient Light Level - Examine fluorescent penetrant indications under
black light in a darkened area. Visible ambient light should not exceed 2 fc (20 lux).
3.4.5 Calibration- Calibration and acceptable parameters shall be determined via a spectroline light meter at a distance of 15 inches in a darkened inspection area.
3.5 Black Light Level - Black light intensity, (recommended minimum of 1000 W/
cm2) should be measured on the surface being examined with a suitable black light meter at a
distance of 15 inches. The intensity should be checked daily to assure the required output. Since
drop in line voltage can cause decreased black light output with consequent inconsistent performance, a constant voltage transformer should be used when there is evidence of voltage fluctuation. (Warning- Certain high-intensity black lights may emit unacceptable amounts of visible
light, which will cause fluorescent indications to disappear. Care should be taken to use only
bulbs certified by the supplier to be suitable for such examination purposes.)
3.6 Black Light Warm-Up - Due to the use of black light leds warm up times are not
necessecary
3.7 Visual Adaption - The examiner should be in the darkened area for at least 1 min before examining parts. Longer times may be necessary for more complete adaptation under some
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 6
circumstances. (Warning- Photochromic or darkened lenses shall not be worn during examination.) Examination should be conducted by a qualified individual with vision of 20/20 or equivalent.
3.8 Evaluation - Unless otherwise agreed upon, no crack shall be permitted
3.8.5 Reports- Reports and all paperwork pertaining to this procedure shall coincide and
conform to the procedure written.
3.9 Post Cleaning - Post cleaning is necessary in those cases where residual penetrant or
developer could interfere with subsequent processing or with service requirements. It is particularly important where residual penetrant examination materials might combine with other factors
in service to produce corrosion. A suitable technique, such as a simple water rinse, water spray,
machine wash or ultrasonic cleaning may be employed.
4 When using penetrant materials on high-temperature alloys, the need to restrict impurities such
as sulfur, halogens, and alkali metals must be considered. These impurities may cause embrittlement or corrosion, particularly at elevated temperatures. Any such evaluation should also include
consideration of the form in which the impurities are present.
4.1. Qualification and Requalification
4.2 Personnel Qualification - Unless otherwise specified by client/supplier agreement,
all examination personnel shall be qualified/certified in accordance with a written procedure conforming to the applicable edition of Recommended Practice SNT- TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT-CP-189,
NAS-410, or MIL-STD410.
4.3 Procedure Qualification - Qualification of procedure using conditions or times differing from those specified should be agreed upon by the contracting parties. A test piece containing one or more discontinuities of the smallest relevant size is used. The test piece may contain real or simulated discontinuities, providing it displays the characteristics of the discontinuities encountered in production examinations.
4.4 Significance and Use
4.5 Liquid penetrant examination methods indicate the presence, location, and, to a limited extent, the nature and magnitude of the detected discontinuities. This practice is normally
used for production examination of critical components, where reproducibility is essential. More
procedural controls and processing steps are required than with other processes.
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process
Technical Writing
Stratton 7
4.6 Accept/Reject criteria- No cracks of any type size or location are permitted.
Nondestructive Testing, American Society For, comp. Industrial Code. Columbus: American Society For Nondestructive Testing,
2010. Print. E1210 10. Standard Practice for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Testing Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification
Process