What Does
Dye Penetration Test Mean?
A dye penetration test is a type of nondestructive evaluation used to detect surface flaws on a material. The dye penetration test uses a liquid called a penetrant that flows into any flaws on the material’s surface to increase the visibility of the surface discontinuities, making them easier to detect and measure.
Corrosionpedia Explains Dye Penetration Test
The penetrant used in dye penetrant testing can be either a bright color or a fluorescent color.
When the penetrant is a bright color, it is applied to the material and wiped off. Then a developer is added. If there is a flaw, the penetrant seeps out of the flaw and into the developer, which makes the flaw highly visible.
When a fluorescent color is used, the part is inspected under a black light to determine where flaws may be present.