ASTM E165

Liquid penetrant testing methods indicate the presence, location and, to a limited extent, the nature and magnitude of the detected discontinuities. Each of the various penetrant methods has been designed for specific uses such as critical service items, volume of parts, portability or localized areas of examination. The method selected will depend accordingly on the design and service requirements of the parts or materials being tested.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice covers procedures for penetrant examination of materials. Penetrant testing is a nondestructive testing method for detecting discontinuities that are open to the surface such as cracks, seams, laps, cold shuts, shrinkage, laminations, through leaks, or lack of fusion and is applicable to in-process, final, and maintenance testing. It can be effectively used in the examination of nonporous, metallic materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals, and of nonmetallic materials such as nonporous glazed or fully densified ceramics, as well as certain nonporous plastics, and glass.

1.2 This practice also provides a reference:

1.2.1 By which a liquid penetrant examination process recommended or required by individual organizations can be reviewed to ascertain its applicability and completeness.

1.2.2 For use in the preparation of process specifications and procedures dealing with the liquid penetrant testing of parts and materials. Agreement by the customer requesting penetrant inspection is strongly recommended. All areas of this practice may be open to agreement between the cognizant engineering organization and the supplier, or specific direction from the cognizant engineering organization.

1.2.3 For use in the organization of facilities and personnel concerned with liquid penetrant testing.

1.3 This practice does not indicate or suggest criteria for evaluation of the indications obtained by penetrant testing. It should be pointed out, however, that after indications have been found, they must be interpreted or classified and then evaluated. For this purpose there must be a separate code, standard, or a specific agreement to define the type, size, location, and direction of indications considered acceptable, and those considered unacceptable.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. SI units are provided for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

SAE Standards
QPL-AMS-2644 Qualified Products of Inspection Materials, Penetrant
Military Standard
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
AIA Standard
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive Test Personnel
APHA Standard
429 Method for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
ASNT Document
ANSI/ASNTCP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
ASTM Standards
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D129 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (General Bomb Method)
D1552 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (High-Temperature Method)
D4327 Test Method for Anions in Water by Chemically Suppressed Ion Chromatography
D808 Test Method for Chlorine in New and Used Petroleum Products (Bomb Method)
E1208 Test Method for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Examination Using the Lipophilic Post-Emulsification Process
E1209 Test Method for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Examination Using the Water-Washable Process
E1210 Test Method for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Examination Using the Hydrophilic Post-Emulsification Process
E1219 Test Method for Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Examination Using the Solvent-Removable Process
E1220 Test Method for Visible Penetrant Examination Using Solvent-Removable Process
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1417 Practice for Liquid Penetrant Testing
E1418 Test Method for Visible Penetrant Examination Using the Water-Washable Process
E433 Reference Photographs for Liquid Penetrant Inspection
E516 Practice for Testing Thermal Conductivity Detectors Used in Gas Chromatography
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing

Index Terms

fluorescent liquid penetrant testing; hydrophilic emulsification; lipophilic emulsification; liquid penetrant testing; nondestructive testing; solvent removable; visible liquid penetrant testing; water-washable; post-emulsified; black light; ultraviolet light; visible light; Anions content; Chlorine content; Cleaning agents/processes; Combustible liquid penetrant materials; Fluorescent liquid penetrant testing; Fluorine content; Hydrophilic emulsifiers; Ion chromatography (IC); Leak testing; Lipophilic emulsification; Liquid penetration; Nondestructive evaluation (NDE); Penetrant inspection; Solvent removable penetrants; Total chlorine; Total fluorine; Visible liquid penetrant testing; Water washable penetrants; ICS Number Code 19.100 (Non-destructive testing)

Citing ASTM Standards

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