DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION

PROCEDURE
 CONTENT

1. Scope 3

2. References 3

3. Personnel 3

4. Test Procedure 4

5. Evaluation of Results 5

6. Consumables 6

7. Requests and Reports 6

8. Technique Sheet Index 7

Appendix I Technique Sheet

Appendix II Typical DPI Report
1. Scope

This technique can only be used to inspect for surface breaking defects.

2. References
The following codes, standards and Client Specifications are used for references in the
preparation of this procedure.

ASTM SE – 165
API 1104 1994
ASME V
AWS D1 – 1

3. Personnel
All personnel directly involved with Dye Penetrant Inspection will be qualified to one
or more of the following certification schemes. Verified copies of certificates and a
record of yearly eyesight tests will be made available when required.

ASNT American Society for Non-Destructive Testing to Level II standard.

4. Test Procedure ( Technique Sheet )

4.1 Surface Preparation

All surfaces of the work piece must be thoroughly cleaned using a suitable
cleaning solvent and completely dried before it is subjected to liquid penetrant
inspection. The surface must be free from slag, scale, oil, water or other
contaminants for at least 25mm beyond the area being inspected. Excess solvent
shall be removed using a clean dry cloth or absorbent paper allowing the reminder
to dry prior to the application of the penetrant
4.2 Penetration
The penetrant used in this procedure will be colour contrast solvent removable
type. After the work pieces has been cleaned, liquid penetrant is applied by spray
transfer from a pressurised aerosol so as to form a film over the surface of the
material for a distance of at least 25mm beyond the area being inspected. The
nozle should be held 200 to 300 mm from the work piece moving across the area.
This film should remain on the material long enough to allow maximum
penetration of the penetrant into any surface openings that maybe present. The
penetration time should be between 15 and 30 minutes to detect the finest defects
in all ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Note : Temperature of the test piece and penetrant shall be 15°C and 52°C.

4.3 Removal of Excess Penetrant

The area under test should be wiped clean to remove all visible penetrant from the
surface of the material using a lint free cloth wetted with solvent based penetrant
remover. Care should be taken to avoid over cleaning as this can remove
penetrant from surface discontinuties.
 4.4 Development
Having ensured that the surface has been thoroughly cleaned the developing agent
should be applied to the area under test so it forms a light uniform film over the
surface. This shall be done by spray transfer from a pre-mixed pressurized
aerosol, holding the nozzle 200-300mm from the test piece while moving across
the area. The developing agent will act as blotter to assist the natural seepage of
the penetrant out of the surface openings and to spread it at the edges, so as to
gently magnify apparent width of the flaw. The developer will also provide a
uniform background to assist visual inspection.

5. Test Procedure (Contd.)

After sufficient time has been allowed for development ie 15-20 minutes, the test area
should be visually examined for indications of penetrant feedbackfrom any surface
discontinuities. The viewing of the test area should be performed in a suitable
environment ie in good white light conditions with a minimum luminance of 500 lux
(eg 80 watts at 1 metre ). Should this not be possible under normal circumstances, then
additional light should be made available.

Special Note
when aerosol cans are used care should be taken to ensure that they are correctly
agitated prior to and during use in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
6. Evaluatio of Results
6.1 When any indications is revealed during Dye Penetrant Inspection it should be
considered relevant until proven otherwise.

Elimination may be possible by retesting or by light surface dressing if

permitted by the Client. In the event of any surface dressing taking place then
the Client should witness this to ensure that no material tolerances are exceeded.
If any indication is confirmed as being a defect it should be evaluated against
the acceptance criteria detailed in the standard.

Note : When removing any defect indications, grinding should extend beyond
the defect indication to ensure complete removal.
6.2 Should retesting be required then it may be necessary to repear the steps given
in paragraph 5.1 to 5.5.

Any changes to the original procedure must be noted on the final report.

7. Consumables

7.1 PENETRANT – Visible solvent removable penetrant will be used and will be
of a colour that makes it clearly visible when against a white background,
normally red.
7.2 PENETRANT REMOVER – Solvent based penetrant remover will be used in
conjunction with lint free cloth as a pre-cleaner and to remove excess penetrant
prior to development.
 7.3 DEVELOPER – White absorbent powder suspended in a volatile spirit will be
used.
7.4 MATERIAL LIST
7.4.1 PENETRANT
7.4.2 PENETRANT REMOVER
7.4.3 DEVELOPER
7.4.4 SUPPLY OF LINT FREE CLOTH OR SIMILAR MATERIAL
the brand of consumables will be named as above or similar and under
no circumstances will different brand products be mixed during liquid
penetrant inspection.

8. Requests and Reports

8.1 NDT Request – All Dye Penetrant Inspection will be carried out following
receipt of an NDT request which should be in written form. The following
information should be obtained in order that the test report by properly
identified.
a) Clients name and Project
b) Type of inspection required
c) Date of request
d) Line number / drawing number or other available information
e) Welders number
f) Weld number, part dimension including thickness
g) Pre or post heat treatment ( if applicable )
h) Other identification ( if applicable )
i) Joint history ie original weld or repair
j) Specification and acceptance criteria code
8.2 NDT Report – Upon completion of Dye Penetrant work, reports will be
prepared recording all the necessary data from the NDT Request and the
following additional information.
a) Contract number or order number
b) NDT Procedure reference
c) Equipment used
d) Type and make of consumables
e) Surface condition
f) Date of test
g) Interpretation and recommendations
h) Operators name and signature

TECHNIQUE SHEET INDEX

The following Technique Sheet number and description is appended to this procedure.
 APPENDIX I
Technique Sheet

DYE PENETRANT EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE SHEET

PROJECT : TECHNIQUE NO. :

SPECIFICATION : METHOD :

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA : PENETRANT SOAK TIME :

WELD PROCESS : REMOVER :

MATERIAL TYPE / FORM : DEVELOPER :

LIGHTING : VIEW TIME :

SKETCH :

WELD PREP. PIPE BL PLATE I FILLET NODE NOZZ CRUCIFORMS

SET IN/ON

TYPICAL JOINT CONFIGURATIONS

EXAMINATION AREA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TEST LIMITATION :

 Denotes delete not applicable