LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

PENETRANT TEST PROCEDURE

 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

1.0. Scope
1.1. This procedure describes the method, technique and acceptance standards for liquid penetrant
examination for ferrous and non-ferrous materials and weldments for the detection of
discontinuity which are open to the surface as cracks, seams, laps, cold shuts, laminations, isolated
porosity in non- porous material.

2.0. Reference
2.1. ASME Sec V Edition 2019, Article 6
2.2. ASME Sec VIII Division.1 Edition 2019, Appendix 8
2.3. ASME Sec IX Edition 2019.

3.0. Personnel Qualification

3.1. All personnel involved in performing interpretation and evaluation of Liquid Penetrant Examination
shall be certified as NDE Level - II in visible, solvent removable technique as per Written Practice
PSVPL/WP/1 (Latest Revision) framed in accordance with ASNT document SNT-TC-1A 2016 Edition
and Mandatory Appendix III of ASME Sec V Article 1, 2019 Edition.

4.0. Materials
4.1. The materials used in penetrant examination shall be from the following manufacturers with
specific brand names mentioned against each material.

MANUFACTURER PENETRANT DEVELOPER CLEANER (SOLVENT)

SPOTCHECK SPOTCHECK SPOTCHECK
MAGNAFLUX
SKL-SP1 SKD-S2 SKC-1

4.2. Penetrant shall be of solvent removable type and shall have a contrast color that is visible under
normal lighting condition. The penetrant is normally red in color so that the indications produce a
definite contrast with white back ground of the developer.

4.3. Wet, Non- aqueous and solvent suspended developer shall be used.

4.4. The Spotcheck SKC-1 solvent shall be used for surface cleaning.
.
4.5. All liquid penetrant materials used on nickel-based alloys or duplex stainless steels and titanium
shall be analyzed as specified in T 641 of Article 6 of ASME Sec V for the content of Sulphur and
halogenated compound and these shall not exceed 0.1% by weight. The manufacturer shall certify
the above requirement for each batch supplied.
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

4.6. Any change in material brands from the above requires procedure demonstration.

4.7. Intermixing of Penetrant materials of different manufacturers is not permitted.

5.0. Surface Preparation

5.1. The surface to be examined and all adjacent areas within at least one inch shall be dry and free of
all dirt, grease, lint, scale, welding flux, spatter, paint, oil and other extraneous matter that could
obscure surface openings or otherwise interfere with the examination.

5.2. Surface preparation by grinding or machining shall be carried out when surface irregularities mask
the indications of unacceptable discontinuities or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of
examination.

5.3. This procedure shall be used when the examination shall be As Welded, As Ground and As
machined and plate.

6.0. Procedure
6.1. Temperature Limits
6.1.1. The temperature of the penetrant and the surface of the part to be examined shall not be below
10°C or above 52°C throughout the examination period. The examination surface temperature shall
be measured using a surface temperature thermometer.

6.2. Pre- Cleaning

6.2.1. Prior to the liquid penetrant examination, the surface to be examined and all adjacent areas within
at least 25mm including the heat affected zone in the case of weld shall be cleaned by the
approved solvent. The surface shall be free from any rust, scale, welding flux, spatter, grease, paint,
oily films, dirt etc. that might interfere with the penetration.

6.3. Drying After Cleaning

6.3.1. The area to be examined shall be thoroughly dried by normal evaporation after pre-cleaning. A
minimum of two minutes shall be allowed for the part to be dried after cleaning.

6.4. Penetrant Application

6.4.1. The penetrant shall be applied by spraying. For spraying aerosol spray cans shall be used. Penetrant
shall be applied in such a way to ensure thorough and uniform application.

6.4.2. After application, the excess penetrant shall be allowed to drain from the part while allowing for
proper penetrant dwell time. The length of time the penetrant shall remain on the part to allow
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

proper penetration shall be as recommended by the penetrant manufacturer and the minimum
dwell time shall be furnished as per Table-1,

TABLE-I

MATERIAL FORM TYPE OF DISCONTINUITIY PENETRANT DWELL TIME

Porosity, Lack of fusion, Cracks Minimum-5minutes

Welds
(all forms) Maximum-15minutes
Steel
Forgings and Extrusion Laps, Cracks, Lamination Minimum-10minutes
Plate (all forms) Maximum-20minutes

6.5. Removal of Excess Penetrant

6.5.1. After the required penetration time, the excess penetrant shall be removed as far as possible by
using wipers of a dry, clean, lint-free material, repeating the operation until most traces of
penetrant have been removed. Then lightly moisten a lint-free material, with remover solvent and
wipe the remaining traces gently to avoid the removal of penetrant from discontinuities, taking
care to avoid the use of excess solvent. Flushing the surface with the solvent following the
application of the penetrant and prior to developing is prohibited.

6.6. Drying
6.6.1. After removal of excess penetrant the surface shall be dried by normal evaporation. The drying
time shall not exceed five minutes.

6.7. Developer Application

6.7.1. The developer shall be applied as soon as possible to the area being examined by spraying after the
excess penetrant removal and area has been dried. The time interval (Drying time) shall not exceed
five minutes prior to application of developer. The areas shall be sprayed so as to assure complete
coverage with a thin even film of developer.
7.0. Evaluation
7.1. Final Interpretation
7.1.1. Final interpretation shall be made not less than 10minutes nor more than 60minutes. The bleed-
out does not alter the examination results, longer periods are permitted. If the surface to be
examined is large enough to preclude complete examination within the prescribed or established
time, the examination shall be performed in increments. However, the interpretation time is
established as 10-60minutes by actual Demonstration (Ref: PSVPL/PT/DEMO/No.1)

7.1.2. The evaluation shall be carried out with a minimum light intensity of 1076 Lux at (300 mm) 12”
distance maximum from the lighting equipment to ensure adequate sensitivity during the
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

examination and evaluation. The light meter used shall be calibrated for usable range every year.
The certificate of calibration shall be available on records. A hand lamp of 12W-230V bulb (White
Light) shall be used as lighting equipment and the same shall be held at 12” (300 mm) maximum
distance from the examination surface during entire examination. Light intensity shall be
demonstrated one time using Format No: PSVPL/PT/WL/01 prior to start of examination and
maintained on file.

7.1.3. Discontinuities at the surface will be indicated by bleed out of the penetrant; however localized
surface irregularities such as from machining marks or other surface conditions may produce false
indications.

7.1.4. An indication is the evidence of a mechanical imperfection. Only indications with major dimensions
greater than 1.5 mm shall be considered relevant.
a) A linear indication is one having a length greater than 3 times the width.
b) A rounded indication is one of circular or elliptical shape with the length equal to or less
than 3 times the width.
c) Any questionable or doubtful indications shall be re-examined to determine whether or not
they are relevant.

7.2. Recording of Indication

7.2.1. Non Rejectable Indications
7.2.1.1. Non rejectable indications shall be recorded.

7.2.2. Rejectable Indications

7.2.2.1. Rejectable indications shall be recorded. As a minimum, the type of indications (linear or
rounded), location and extent (length or diameter or aligned) shall be recorded.

8.0. Acceptance Standards

8.1. Relevant indications exceeding the following value are considered repairable.
8.1.1. ASME Sec. VIII Div. 1 Edition 2019
8.1.1.1. All surfaces to be examined shall be free of,
a) Relevant linear indications.
b) Relevant rounded indications greater than 5.0 mm.
c) Four or more relevant rounded indications in a line separated by 1.5 mm or less (edge to
edge).
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

d) An indication of an imperfection may be larger than the imperfection that causes it

however the size of the indication is the basis for acceptance evaluation.

9.0. Repair & Retest

9.1. Whenever an imperfection is repaired by chipping or grinding and subsequent repair by welding is
not required, the excavated area shall be blended into the surrounding surface so as to avoid sharp
notches, crevices or corners. Completed repairs shall be reexamined by the method originally
used.

10.0. Post Examination Cleaning

10.1. When the examination is concluded, materials shall be cleaned by dry lint free cloth leaving the
product in a dry and clean condition.

11.0. Reporting
11.1. Liquid Penetrant Examination result shall be recorded in Format No: PSVPL/PT/F.01 as shown in
attachment signed by NDE Level II personnel, who performs, interprets and evaluates the results.

12.0. Procedure Demonstration

12.1. This procedure shall be demonstrated by performance demonstration and the variables with actual
values shall be recorded on Procedure demonstration Record as shown in Attachment II.

12.2. Any change in essential variables shall require re-demonstration of the procedure and change in
non-essential variable does not require the re-demonstration. However, any change in both
essential and non-essential variables shall require revision of the procedure.
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

ATTACHMENT I

Client   MSN:
Job Description   Report No.  
Drawing No   Date of Test  
Material   Penetrant  
Thickness   Cleaner/Remover  
ProcedureNo
with Rev. No   Developer  
Surface
condition   Dwell Time
Surface Temp.   Lighting Equipment
Penetrant
System Light Intensity
Development Time
Technique Acceptance Standard
INTERPRETATION
SL No Joint No Dimension Result
Type LI or RI
(Dia/Length)

Sketch:
Witnessed/Reviewed By:
Performed By: PSVPL Evaluated By: PSVPL CLIENT/AI/TPI
Name: Name: Name:
Signature: Signature: Signature:

NDE Level II: NDE Level II / III: Designation:

Legend: LI- linear Indication RI – Round Indication
Form No: PSVPL/PT/F-01 Rev.0

ATTACHMENT II
 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

LIQUID PENETRANT TESTING

PROCEDURE DEMONSTRATION RECORD

Procedure No: Date of Demonstration:
Revision No: Job Description:
SL No Requirements Essential Variable Nonessential Variable
Identification of type or family group of
1.
penetrant materials.(Para. 4.1) X ----
Surface Preparation (finishing and
2. cleaning, including type of cleaning
X ----
solvent)(Para. 5.2 and 6.2.1)
Method of applying penetrant
3. X ----
(Para. 6.4.1)
Method of removing excess surface
4.
penetrant. (Para. 6.5) X ----
Hydrophilic or lipophilic emulsifier
concentration and dwell time in dip
5.
tanks and agitation time for hydrophilic X ----
emulsifiers
Hydrophilic emulsifier concentration in X
6. ----
spray application
Method of applying developer
7. X ----
(Para. 6.7)
Minimum and maximum time periods
8.
between steps. (Para. 6.3.1, 6.6 and 7.1) X ----
Decrease in penetrant dwell time (Para.
9.
6.4.2 and Table-I) X ----
Increase in developer dwell time
10. (Interpretation Time)
X ----
(Para. 7.1 and Table-I)
11. Minimum light intensity (Para. 7.2)
X ----
Surface temperature outside 10 to 50°C.
12. X ----
(Para. 6.1.1)
13. Performance demonstration. (Para. 12.1) X ----
Personnel qualification requirements.
14.
(Para 3.0) ---- X
Material, shapes, or sizes to be
15. examined and the extent of
---- X
examination.(Para. 1.0)
Post examination cleaning technique.
16.
(Para. 10.0) ---- X

Note: Serial no 5 & 6 essential variables are not in use.

SL No PROCEDURE STEP MINIMUM MAXIMUM

 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMIANTION PROCEDURE

1. Drying after preparation (Para 6.3.1) X

2. Penetrant Dwell (Table- I) X X
Drying Penetrant removal (Para 6.6)
3.  Solvent removal penetrants X
4. Developer application (Para 6.7) X
5. Developing and interpretation time (Para7.1) X X

Demonstration performed By NDE Level II Approved by NDE Level III Witnessed by

Name

Sign

Date