Surface Methods
Liquid penetrant applied to welded components.
Overview
Liquid penetrant inspection (PT / LPI) relies on capillary action. A low-surface-tension penetrant enters clean, dry surface-breaking discontinuities. After dwell time, excess penetrant is removed and a developer draws the penetrant back out, making indications visible. Visible or fluorescent systems are available.
Applications
- Non-ferrous materials and non-magnetic alloys
- Welds, castings, and machined surfaces where only surface-breaking flaws are of concern
Requirements
Surfaces must be free of grease, dirt, paint, and scale. Typical temperature range is approximately 3 °C to 50 °C. Our technicians select the appropriate penetrant system and dwell times for your material and acceptance criteria.