EXPERIMENT NO:- 3

NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
USING LIQUID PENETRATION
METHOD

INTRODUCTION
Non-destructive testing is used to investigate the material integrity of the test object. As the
term non-destructive implies there is no impairment of the properties of the article consequent to
testing. A number of other techniques - for instance, radio astronomy, voltage and amperage
measurement and rheometry (flow measurement) are non-destructive but are not used to evaluate
material properties specifically. Non-destructive testing is concerned in a practical way with the
performance of the test piece. There are plenty of non-destructive testing methods such as

Acoustic emission testing

Acoustic resonance testing

Electromagnetic testing

Infrared testing

Leak testing

Magnetic particle testing

Dye penetration testing

Radiographic testing

Ultra violet testing

Visual inspections

PROCEDURE

We were given three welded parts and we selected one of them which have a finer surface
finish over the welded portion. Then the welded surface was cleaned thoroughly by using cleaner. And
then the dye was sprayed all over the welded portion. Here it was a red colored dye. And after spraying
dye the sample was kept aside for about five minutes. After that the excess dye was wipe out and a
developer was sprayed onto the welded portion. After few seconds the development occured and the
surface was examined with naked eye.

OBSERVATIONS

When the developer was sprayed there were few red dots all over the welded area. Those are
the defects of the weld and as the time passes those dots were developed clearly.

DISCUSSION
The liquid penetration method is used in the industry as it is relatively cheap and as the
simplicity of the process. And when compared with other non-destructive testing methods, dye
penetration is fast and shows the cracks clearly

Applications

Crack detection for grinding

Welding defect detection

Identification of heat treatment cracks

Hot tear identification

Identification of fatigue cracks

Identification of inter-granular corrosion

Identifying shrinkage defects during casting processes

Identifying cracks in gear teeth

Limitations
The liquid penetration test has certain limitations in its process. If a part or a surface is to be
tested by liquid penetration testing, the surface should be a smooth one. The roughness of the surface
should be minimized and the surface should be cleaned well. So a part with rough surface texture
cannot be inspected by this method. And the material should be a non-porous material. Unless the
crack cannot be clearly separated from the ink marks developed in the developing stage. And with all
these limitations this process can only be used to identify surface defects. It cannot be used to identify
any internal defects of the part we are inspecting. And other than that the selection of the dye is also
important such that it should not stain the surface of the part. And the color of the dye will be
important for clear visualization of the crack.
Physical factors that reduce the efficiency

Porosity

Surface roughness

Surface color