This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1417/E1417M − 21

Standard Practice for

Liquid Penetrant Testing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1417/E1417M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1 This practice establishes the minimum requirements for safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conducting liquid penetrant examination of nonporous metal responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and nonmetal components. priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—This practice replaces MIL-STD-6866. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 The penetrant examination processes described in this dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
practice are applicable to in-process, final, and maintenance ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(in-service) examinations. These processes are applicable for Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the detection of discontinuities, such as lack of fusion, mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
corrosion, cracks, laps, cold shuts, and porosity, that are open Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
or connected to the surface of the component under examina-
tion. 2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Caution must be exercised in the usage of elevated 2.1 The following documents form a part of this practice to
temperature with components manufactured from thermoplas- the extent specified herein:
tic materials. Also, some cleaners, penetrants, and developers
2.2 ASTM Standards:2
can have a deleterious effect on nonmetallic materials such as
D95 Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products and
plastics. Prior to examination, tests should be conducted to
Bituminous Materials by Distillation
ensure that none of the cleaning or examination materials are
D6304 Test Method for Determination of Water in Petro-
harmful to the components to be examined.
leum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Cou-
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch- lometric Karl Fischer Titration
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The E165/E165M Practice for Liquid Penetrant Testing for Gen-
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva- eral Industry
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each E203 Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer
system shall be used independently of the other, and values Titration
from the two systems shall not be combined. E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
1.5 All areas of this practice may be open to agreement Testing
between the cognizant engineering organization and the E1135 Test Method for Comparing the Brightness of Fluo-
supplier, or specific direction from the cognizant engineering rescent Penetrants
organization. E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E2297 Guide for Use of UV-A and Visible Light Sources and
NOTE 2—Throughout this document, the term blacklight has been Meters used in the Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle
changed to UV-A to conform with the latest terminology in Terminology Methods
E1316. Blacklight can mean a broad range of ultraviolet radiation;
E3022 Practice for Measurement of Emission Characteris-
fluorescent penetrant examination only uses the UV-A range.
tics and Requirements for LED UV-A Lamps Used in
Fluorescent Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Testing
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.03 on Liquid
2
Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as E1417/E1417M – 20. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1417_E1417M-21. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 E1417/E1417M − 21
2.3 ASNT Standards:3 3.2.3 component, n—the part(s) or element(s) of a system
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi- described, assembled, or processed to the extent specified by
cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel the drawing.
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi- 3.2.4 final examination, n—the final examination performed
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing for the acceptance of the item.
2.4 Military Standards:4,5 3.2.4.1 Discussion—Any change to the item’s surface such
MIL-STD-6866 Inspection, Liquid Penetrant as machining, grinding, welding, heat treatment, or etching by
QPL-AMS-2644 Qualified Products List, Inspection subsequent manufacturing operation, may render the previous
Material, Penetrant examination invalid, requiring reexamination of all affected
2.5 ANSI/ISO/EN Standards:6 surfaces, unless otherwise approved in the contract.
ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 General Requirement for Calibration 3.2.5 in-process, adj—that which occurs during manufactur-
Laboratories and Measuring Test Equipment ing before a component is in final form.
EN 4179 Qualification and Approval of Personnel for Non- 3.2.6 in-service, adj—refers to components that are in use or
destructive Testing storage for their intended function.
ISO 9712 Non-destructive Testing-Qualification and Certifi-
3.2.7 reprocess, v—repeat, after cleaning, the application
cation of NDT Personnel
and appropriate processing of penetrant, emulsifier (as
ISO 10012 Measure Management Systems—Requirements
required), and developer (as required).
for Measurement Processes and Measuring Equipment
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence 3.2.8 supplier, n—the organization contracted to supply the
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories material, parts, or assembly.
2.6 AIA Standard:7 3.2.9 turbine engine critical components, n—any compo-
NAS 410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive nent on turbine engine designated by the manufacturer as
Test Personnel “critical.”
2.7 SAE Standards:8 4. Significance and Use
AMS 2175 Castings, Classification and Inspection of 4.1 This practice establishes the basic parameters for con-
AMS 2644 Inspection Material, Penetrant trolling the application of the liquid penetrant method. This
AMS 3158 Solution, Fluorescent Penetrant Water Base for practice is written so it can be specified on the engineering
LOX Compatibility drawing, specification, or contract. It is not a detailed how-to
2.8 Order of Precedence—In the event of conflict between procedure to be used by the inspector and, therefore, must be
the text of this practice and the references cited herein, the text supplemented by a detailed procedure that conforms to the
of this practice takes precedence. requirements of this practice. Practice E165/E165M contains
information to help develop detailed requirements.

3. Terminology 5. Classification
3.1 Definitions: 5.1 Penetrant examination processes and materials are clas-
3.1.1 The terminology relating to liquid penetrant examina- sified in accordance with the material classification contained
tion that appears in Terminology E1316 shall apply to the terms in AMS 2644. Penetrant systems covered by this practice shall
used in this practice. be of the following types, methods, and sensitivity levels:
5.1.1 Type:
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5.1.1.1 Type I—Fluorescent dye.
3.2.1 aerospace, n—any component that will be installed on 5.1.1.2 Type II—Visible dye.
a system that flies. 5.1.2 Method:
3.2.2 cognizant engineering organization, n—reference Ter- 5.1.2.1 Method A—Water washable.
minology E1316. 5.1.2.2 Method A(W)—Water washable-water containing.
5.1.2.3 Method B—Post-emulsifiable, lipophilic.
5.1.2.4 Method C—Solvent-removable.
3
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box 5.1.2.5 Method D—Post-emulsifiable, hydrophilic.
28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org. 5.1.3 Sensitivity—(These levels apply to Type I penetrant
4
Copies of specifications, standards, drawings, and publications required by systems only. Type II penetrant systems have only a single
manufacturers in connection with specific acquisition functions should be obtained
from the contracting activity or as directed by the contracting officer. sensitivity and it is not represented by any of the levels listed
5
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, as follows):
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http:// 5.1.3.1 Sensitivity Level 1⁄2 —Very low.
dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
6
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
5.1.3.2 Sensitivity Level 1—Low.
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. 5.1.3.3 Sensitivity Level 2—Medium.
7
Available from Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd., 5.1.3.4 Sensitivity Level 3—High.
Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aia-aerospace.org. 5.1.3.5 Sensitivity Level 4—Ultrahigh.
8
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale,
PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org. 5.2 Developers shall be of the following forms:

2
 E1417/E1417M − 21
5.2.1 Form a—Dry powder. and shall require approval of the cognizant engineering orga-
5.2.2 Form b—Water-soluble. nization when such materials do not meet the requirements of
5.2.3 Form c—Water-suspendable. AMS 2644.
5.2.4 Form d—Nonaqueous for Type I fluorescent pen- 6.5.3 Shelf Life—Penetrant materials that have exceeded
etrant. their initial shelf life date are permissible to use provided the
5.2.5 Form e—Nonaqueous for Type II visible dye. requirements of 7.8.2 and 7.8.3 produce acceptable results.
Ready-to-use materials as identified in 7.8 need only meet the
5.2.6 Form f—Specific application.
requirements of 7.8.3.
5.3 Solvent removers shall be of the following classes: 6.6 Equipment and Facilities—Processing equipment used
5.3.1 Class 1—Halogenated. in the penetrant examination process shall be constructed and
5.3.2 Class 2—Nonhalogenated. arranged to permit a uniform and controlled operation. The
5.3.3 Class 3—Specific application. equipment shall meet all applicable national and local safety
requirements as well as the requirements specified herein. In
6. General Practices facilities using both Type I and Type II penetrant, provisions
6.1 Responsibility for Examination—Unless otherwise shall be made to prevent cross-contamination between pen-
specified in the contract or purchase order, the cognizant etrant types.
engineering organization is responsible for the performance of 6.6.1 Viewing Areas—Areas where parts are reviewed shall
all examination requirements as specified herein. The cogni- be kept clean at all times. For visible dye examination, Type II,
zant engineering organization may specify more stringent the lighting system shall provide at least 100 fc [1076 lx] of
requirements than the minimum specified in this practice when visible light when measured at the examination surface. For
necessary to ensure that a component meets its functional and stationary fluorescent dye examination, Type I, the ambient
reliability requirements. Except as otherwise specified, the visible light background shall not exceed 2 fc [21.5 lx] at the
supplier may utilize his own facilities or any other facilities examination surface. The UV-A lamp shall provide a minimum
suitable for the performance of the examination requirements of 1000 µW/cm2 at the examination surface. UV-A lamps shall
specified herein. The cognizant engineering organization re- meet the requirements of 7.8.4.1. Viewing areas for portable
serves the right to perform any of the examinations set forth in fluorescent dye examination shall utilize dark canvas, photog-
this practice where such examinations are deemed necessary to rapher’s black cloth, or other methods to reduce the visible
ensure that supplies and services conform to prescribed re- light background to the lowest possible level during examina-
quirements. tion and UV-A intensity shall meet the above requirements.
6.6.1.1 Where lamps are physically too large to directly
6.2 Specifying—When examination is required in accor- illuminate the examination surface, special lighting, such as
dance with this practice, the orders, contracts, or other appro- UV-A pencil lamps, or UV-A light guides, or remote visual
priate documents shall specify the criteria by which the examination equipment shall be used. When using a borescope,
acceptability of components is to be evaluated. Engineering the image viewed must have sufficient resolution to effectively
drawings or other applicable documents shall indicate the evaluate the indication. UV-A intensity shall be measured at the
acceptance criteria for the entire component; zoning may be expected working distance and shall be a minimum
used. Examination on a sampling basis shall not be allowed 1000 µW ⁄cm2. Special lighting shall meet the requirements of
unless specifically permitted by the contract. 7.8.4.2.
6.3 Personnel Qualification—Personnel performing exami- 6.6.1.2 LED UV-A lamps used for evaluation purposes shall
nations in accordance with this practice shall be qualified and comply with Practice E3022, excluding those referenced in
certified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT-CP- 6.6.1.1 and 7.8.4.2.
189, NAS 410, EN 4179, ISO 9712, or as specified in the 6.6.2 Drying Oven—When components are oven dried, the
contract or purchase order. dryer must be a forced-air recirculating type. In automated
systems, where parts are dried by radiant heat and forced air,
6.4 Agency Qualification—The agency performing this the travel speed of the system shall be such as to preclude
practice may be evaluated in accordance with Specification overdrying of parts. The forced air does not have to be
E543. recirculating but must preclude contamination of the parts. The
6.5 Materials: temperature shall be controlled with a calibrated device ca-
6.5.1 Qualified Materials—Only materials listed or ap- pable of maintaining the oven temperature at 615 °F
proved for listing on QPL-AMS-2644 (reference AMS 2644) [68.3 °C] of the temperature for which it is set. The oven shall
shall be utilized for penetrant examination. Materials not not exceed 160 °F [71 °C]. The temperature indicator shall be
conforming to the requirements of AMS 2644 may be used accurate to 610 °F [65.6 °C] of the actual oven temperature.
only when a waiver is obtained from the cognizant engineering 6.7 Written Procedures—When liquid penetrant examina-
organization. tion procedures are similar for many components, a master
6.5.2 Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Compatible Materials— written procedure may be utilized that covers the details
Penetrant materials used on LOX wetted surfaces that cannot common to a variety of components as well as guidance in the
be thoroughly post-cleaned shall be compliant with AMS 3158, event of a process control failure which, as a minimum, shall
be used in accordance with the material supplier instructions, include notification of the failure to the Penetrant Testing Level