Liquid Penetrant Testing Level I Topical Outline

  1. Introduction
    • Brief history of nondestructive testing and liquid penetrant testing
    • Purpose of liquid penetrant testing
    • Basic principles of liquid penetrant testing
    • Types of liquid penetrants commercially available
    • Method of personnel qualification
  2. Liquid Penetrant Processing
    • Preparation of parts
    • Adequate lighting
    • Application of penetrant to parts
    • Removal of surface penetrant
    • Developer application and drying
    • Inspection and evaluation
    • Postcleaning
  3. Various Penetrant Testing Methods
    • Current ASTM and ASME standard methods – ASTM E 165, E 1208, E 1209, E 1210 and E 1417.
    • Characteristics of each method
    • General applications of each method
  4. Liquid Penetrant Testing Equipment
    • Liquid penetrant testing units
    • Lighting for liquid penetrant testing equipment and light meters
    • Materials for liquid penetrant testing
    • Precautions in liquid penetrant inspection

Liquid Penetrant Testing Level II Topical Outline

  1. Review
    • Basic principles
    • Process of various methods
    • Equipment
  2. Selection of the Appropriate Penetrant Testing Method
    • Advantages of various methods
    • Disadvantages of various methods
  3. Inspection and Evaluation of Indications
    • General
      • Discontinuities inherent in various materials
      • Reason for indications
      • Appearance of indications
      • Time for indications to appear
      • Persistence of indications
      • Effects of temperature and lighting (white to UV)
      • Effects of metal smearing operations (shot peening, machining, etc.)
      • Preferred sequence for penetrant inspection
      • Part preparation (precleaning, stripping, etc.)
    • Factors affecting indications
      • Pre-cleaning
      • Penetrant used
      • Prior processing
      • Technique used
    • Indications from cracks
      • Cracks occurring during solidification
      • Cracks occurring during processing
      • Cracks occurring during service
    • Indications from porosity
    • Indications from specific material forms
      • Forgings
      • Castings
      • Plate
      • Welds
      • Extrusions
    • Evaluation of indications
      • True indications
      • False indications
      • Relevant indications
      • Nonrelevant indications
      • Process control
        • Controlling process variables
        • Testing and maintenance materials
  1. Inspection Procedures and Standards
    • Inspection procedures (minimum requirements)
    • Standards/codes
      • Applicable methods/processes
      • Acceptance criteria