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   - A liquid penetrant test 

is non-destructive type. It detects flaws that are open
to the surface e.g., cracks, seams, laps, lack of bond,
porosity, cold shuts, etc. It can be effectively used
not only in the inspection of ferrous metals but is
especially useful for non-ferrous metal products and
on non-porous, non-metallic materials such as
ceramics, plastics and glass.
The principle of liquid penetrant test is that the
liquids used enter small openings such as cracks or
porosities by capillary action. The rate and extent of
this action are dependent upon such properties as
surface tension, cohesion, adhesion and viscosity.
They are also influenced by factors such as the condition of the surface of material and the interior of the
discontinuity. For the liquid to penetrate effectively, the surface of the material must be thoroughly cleaned
of all foreign matter that would obstruct the entrance of the liquid into the defect.
After cleaning, the liquid penetrant is applied evenly over the surface and allowed to remain long enough to
permit penetration into possible discontinuities. The liquid is then completely removed from the surface of
the component and either a wet or a dry developer is applied. The liquid that has penetrated the defects
will then bleed out onto the surface, and the developer will help delineate them.
This will show the location and general nature and magnitude of any defect present. To hasten this action,
the part may be struck sharply to produce vibrations to force the liquid out of the defect. The oil-whiting
test is one of the older and cruder penetrant tests used for the detection of cracks too small to be noticed
in a visual inspection. In this method, the piece is covered with penetrating oil, such as kerosene, then
rubbed dry and coated with dry whiting.
 In a short time the oil that has seeped into any cracks
will be partially absorbed by the whiting, producing
plainly visible discolored streaks delineating the
cracks.
The Dye penetrant test (DPT) based on liquid
penetrant is a sensitive extremely versalite and a very
reliable method of test. It is quite inexpensive, does
not require any special apparatus and is quite simple
in application. Only a moderate skill is required. In this
test, the strongly coloured red penetrant fluid (or dye)
has a property of seeping into surface flaws when
applied on an impervious surface.
The steps involved in dye penetrant test are
(1) Clean the surface of the component free of dust
and dirt with a piece of cloth.
(2) Brush the surface of the component to remove
scale, rust, paint etc., by a soft wire brush.
(3) Spray the cleaner to remove oil, grease, etc. (4) Apply the dye penetrant (by spraying) adequately to
cover the area to be tested. Allow 3 to 5 minutes or more for dye to penetrate into the cracks. (5) Wipe off
the excess penetrant on the surface with a rag. (6) Again spray the surface with the cleaner to remove the
remnants of the red dye. (7) Spray the developer evenly on the surface to give a thin even layer. This layer
absorbs the penetrant from the cracks and red spots or lines appear on t e stir ace to give a visible
indication of the flaws. (8) The crack if any will be indicated with the red dye absorbed by the white
absorbent.