DOCUMENT NO.

OTE/SOP/QC/LPT

ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure to give the step by step instructions to carryout Liquid
Penetrant testing on Bevels, weld metals, fillet welds, HAZ (Heat Affected Zone), repaired
joints and/or as specified by referencing code of construction and applicable specification.

2.0 SCOPE
The Liquid Penetrant examination Testing described in this method statement is
applicable to the butt joints of the structural steel using back gouging on other side &
finished welds.

3.0 REFERENCES/STANDARDS USED

AWS D 1.1,2010 - Structural welding code - Steel.
ASME Boiler and pressure vessel code Sec. V, 2007 for Non destructive
Examination Article 6.
ASTM SE 165-2002 Standard Test method for Liquid Penetrant Examination

4.0 RESPONSIBILITY
Personal performing Liquid Penetrant examination shall be responsible for preparing
examination report and evaluation of indication during the examination of weld.

5.0 SAFETY
Before application, the examiner shall be familiar with relevant regulations
covering health safety and hazardous substances, both local and statutory, appropriate
test method.

6.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION

Inspection personnel shall be experienced, qualified Level II as per ASNT
SNT-TC-1A 2006 Edition

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

7.0 LIQUID PENETRANT EXAMINATION METHOD

7.1 Chemicals:
Visible Solvent Penetrates shall be used. The penetrant
contains a dye, having a contrast colour, which can be
seen, readily in Daylight or under normal interior
illumination. Intermixing of penetrant materials from
different manufacturers is not permitted

■ The no aqueous developer shall be applied only to a

dry surface when the developer dries, a film of Lime
powder is left on the surface.
■ Cleaning of the surface and the excess Penetrant is
done by a cleaner, which is usually an organic
chemical such as acetone supplied in aerosol can I
Tins (1 liter or 5 liters).
■ The chemicals used for the above shall not contain
harmful halogen and sulphur. The content of each
of the above is limited to 25 ppm.

■ Each batch of container shall be checked for its

suitability in presence of inspection personnel, and
only approved penetrates shall be used for the
purpose.

7.2 Cleaning
Prior to each liquid Penetrant examination, the surface
to be examined and all adjacent areas within at least 1
in(25mm) shall be dry and free of all dirt, grease, lint, scale,
welding flux, weld spatter, paint, oil, and other extraneous matter

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

that could obscure surface openings or otherwise interfere with

the examination. Surface shall be cleaned using cleaning
solvent. When the surface irregularities might mask the
indications of unacceptable discontinuities, the surface shall
be prepared by grinding or machining or any other suitable
method.
7.3 Drying
It is essential that the part of surface shall be allowed
to dry by normal evaporation for minimum 1 minutes and
maximum time interval between pre cleaning and application
of penetrant shall not be more than 15 minutes. Adequate
care shall be taken to ensure proper surface condition prior
to examination.

7.4 Penetrant Application

The surface to be tested shall be thoroughly coated
with penetrant by spraying and/or by brush application. The
penetrant shall be allowed to remain wet on the part for a
minimum period (Dwell time) 10 Minutes and/or as
recommended by Manufacturer. The temperature of the
penetrant and surface of the part to be processed shall not be
below 1o° C and above 52° C throughout examination period.
If using spray method, the spray nozzles should be
kept at a Distance of 15 to 30cm from the job. Minimum
penetration time shall be 5 Minutes and/or as
recommended by manufacturer. In case Of an
investigation, necessitating a great sensitivity, it can extend

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

up to 10 minutes.
After suitable penetration time has elapsed, excess
penetrant remaining on the surface shall be removed by
wiping with clean cloth or absorbent paper repeating the
operation until most traces of penetrant have been
removed. Remaining traces shall be removed by lightly
wiping the surface with cloth or absorbent paper moistened
with solvent taking care to minimize removal of penetrant
from discontinuities.
Flushing the material surface with the solvent
following the application of penetrant and prior to
developing is prohibited
7.5 Developer Application
The developer shall be applied as soon as possible
after penetrant removal. Developer shall be uniformly
applied over the surface by spraying expect where safety or
restricted access precludes it. Under such condition
developer may be applied by brushing. Drying shall be by
normal evaporation.

The maximum time interval between excess

penetrant removal and application of developer shall be 10
minutes Developing time for final interpretation begins
immediately after wet developer coating is dry.Minimum
developing time should be 10 minutes.

7.6 Interpretation
Final interpretation shall be made with in 10 to 60
minutes after developing time. With a colour contrast

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

penetrant, developer forms a reasonably uniform white

coating. Surface discontinuities are indicated by bleed out
of the penetrant which is normally a deep red colour that
stains developer. Indications with a light pink colour may
indicate excessive cleaning. Inadequate cleaning may
leave an excessive back ground making interpretation
difficult.

A minimum light intensity of 1076 Lux (A hand lamp

having 1076 Lux intensity at a distance of 1 meter from its
position shall be used) is required on the surface to be
examined to ensure adequate sensitivity during
examination and evaluation of indication. The light source ,
technique used, and light level verification is required to be
demonstrated one time , documented and maintained on
file.

7.7 Final Cleaning

When the Inspection is conducted the Penetrant and

developing Materiel shall be removed as soon as possible by
means of wiping with a cloth and/or by spraying cleaner on the
surface.

7.8 Evaluation of indications

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. Only indications with major

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

dimensions greater than 1/16 inch shall be considered relevant.

■ A linear indication is one having a length greater than three times

the width.

■ A rounded indication is one of circular or elliptical

shape with the length equal to or less than three
times the width.0

■ Any questionable or doubtful indications shall be

reexamined to determine whether or not they are
relevant.
8.0ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
All Surfaces examined shall be
■ Inspected and acceptable if the visual inspection
acceptance criteria Table 6.1 of AWS D1.1 * are
satisfied.
■ Columns, Beams & Girders: Cyclically loaded non tubular connections
in Table 6.1

■ Horizontal Bracings-pipe Bracings : Tubular Connections in Table 6.1

9.0 REPAIRS
Unacceptable defects shall be rectified by grinding /
machining or Chipping. Visual examination shall be
conducted to check that the defect has completely removed
prior to repair. Whenever an imperfection shall be repaired by
chipping or grinding the excavated area shall be blended into
the surrounding surface so as to avoid sharp notches,
crevices or corners.

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ISSUE DATE: 01/04/2022

REVISION : R0
PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID PENETRANT TEST

10.0 EXAMINATION RECORD

Each examined area or joint shall be clearly identified.
All examination data and evaluation results are to be
recorded in the Liquid Penetrant Examination Report.
11.0 CONSUMABLES MAKE

Cleaner: Amol chemicals/ Magnaflux/ Ferro Chem

Penetrant: Amol chemicals/ Magnaflux/ Ferro

Chem

Developer: Amol chemicals/

Magnaflux/ Ferro Chem

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