LIQUID PENETRANT INSPECTION PROCEDURE

INDEX

1. OBJECTIVE

2. SCOPE

3. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

4. MATERIALS

5. EXECUTION

5.1 Personal.

5.2 Surface Preparation.

5.3Application of the Penetrant.

5.4 Removal of the Penetrant.

5.5 Application of the Developer.

5.6Examination / Evaluation.

6. RESPONSIBLE

6.1 Construction Manager

6.2 QA/QC Responsible

6.3 Quality Control

6.4Field Engineer and/or Supervisor

7. REGISTERS

8. SECURITY
 1. OBJECTIVE:
• Establish the methodology for the execution of the test.
by penetrating dyes (PT) in welded butt joints and
of fillet in pipes, fittings, and plates, for
discard defects such as cracks.

9. SCOPE:
• Thepresent procedure covers the PT (visible) test in
butt and fillet welds in materials of
carbon steel, in pipes, fittings, and in sheet.

10. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:

•ASME Section V, Article 6. Nondestructive Examination.
• ASTME165. Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant
Examination.
ASME B31.3. Process Piping.
• API 650. Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage.
API 1104.

[Link] / MATERIALS:

All PT tests will be conducted using Type II materials.

(examination with visible penetrant), method C (removable by)
solvents), for all inspections.
It will be verified that the materials to be used are current.
according to the expiration indications of the manufacturer.

12. EXECUTION:

12.1Personal:

The personnel conducting the PT tests must have Level I or

Level II PT according to SNT TC-1A. Level I PT can
conduct the test with the verification of a Level II for the
interpretation of indications.

12.2 Surface:
The PT test will be carried out on surfaces with a
maximum temperature of 50º C. The surface of
the examination must be smooth and uniform, it must be dry and
free from welding splatter, slag, rust, paint,
fat, etc.
The cleaning requirements will be met using
grinder and brush, subsequently a must be done
 cleaning with remover (Cleaner) from the dye kit
penetrating and lint-free industrial cloth. This
cleaning will be carried out covering 1 inch (25.4 mm)
at least adjacent to the foot of the welding seam.
It is important to verify that the surface is
completely dry, after cleaning with the
remover, before the application of the penetrant.

12.3Application of the Penetrant:

After the examination surface has been

cleaned, is completely dry and is at a
temperature lower than 50º C, the penetrant will be applied
directly the area of interest covering it
completely. The area of interest corresponds to the cordon
of welding and ½ inch adjacent to the foot of it.
The application will be made using spray, directly.
from the can of penetrant or using a brush for a
punctual application.
The penetration time of the penetrant on the surface
the examination will be determined based on the
test conditions (ambient temperature and of the
pipeline), however this should not be less than 5
minutes and no more than specified by the manufacturer.
In long surface extensions to be examined, the test
it will be done in sections of 1 meter at most.

12.4Removal of the Penetrant:

After the required soaking time, the excess
the penetrating must be removed as much as possible,
using a dry lint-free cloth, repeating
the operation until the majority of penetrant traces
have been removed.
Subsequently, using a lint-free cloth, lightly
moistened with solvent, gently remove the traces
remnants on the surface, avoiding the removal of
penetrating of the discontinuities. The use should be avoided
excessive remover.
Verify that the surface is completely found
dry, without any remover residues before the application of
revealing agent.

12.5 Application of the Developer:

The container of the remover must be shaken vigorously.
before its application on the test surface, for
 ensure the proper dispersion of the particles in
suspension.
Before applying the revealing agent directly onto the
examination surface, check the efficiency of the
spray it on another surface and adjust the
appropriate distance for the application, which will not be
less than 12 inches (30 cm). Then apply the developer.
from the established distance, perpendicular to the
examination surface.
Developer will be applied in the amount necessary to cover
completely cover the test surface with a thin layer
of the developer, that ensures an adequate contrast.
The direction of the wind will be taken into account as it can
vary the direction of the developer flow. In the case of
strong winds will be taken into special considerations,
such as isolating the application area with barriers, etc.

12.6Examination / Evaluation:

Perform the examination of the surface after 10

minimum minutes of the developer's application
(development time). A close observation of the
formation of discontinuities during the application of
revealer could help in the characterization and
determination of the extent of the discontinuity(s).
The examination can be conducted with natural light or
artificial, ensuring that the level of brightness is the
suitable for losing examination sensitivity.
it recommends a minimum light intensity of 100 fc.
(1000 Lx.). The indications must be evaluated from
according to the acceptance criteria of the reference code.
The following are the acceptance criteria for
ASME B31.3, API 650 and API 1104.
ASME B31.3, Table 341.3.2: Cracks are not accepted.
API 650, 6.4.4:
All surfaces to be examined must be free of:
a. Relevant linear indications.
b. Relevant rounded indications greater than 3/16
inches (5 mm)
c. Four or more relevant rounded indications aligned and
separated by 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) or less.
Indications with a dimension greater than 1/16 inch
(1.5 mm) must be considered relevant.
Linear indication: That which has a greater length of
3 times its width.
 Rounded indication: That which is circular or elliptical in shape.
with a length equal to or less than 3 times its width.
API 1104, 9.5.2:
Relevant indications must be considered defects
if any of the following conditions exist:
a. Linear indications characterized as crater fissures or
star cracks that exceed 5/32 inch (4 mm) in length.
b. Linear indications characterized as cracks or others that
they should not be cracks, craters, or stars.
c. Linear indications characterized as IF that exceed 1
inch (25.4 mm) total length in 12 inches (300 mm) of
welding length or 8% of the welding length.

Rounded indications must be considered.

defects if any of the following conditions exist:
a. The size of an individual pore exceeds 1/8 inch (3 mm)
b. The size of an individual pore exceeds 25% of the thickness of
thinnest element of the joint.
c. The diameter of a group of pores exceeds ½ inch (13
mm).
d. The accumulated length of pore clusters exceeds ½.
inch (13 mm) in 12 inches (300 mm) continuous length of
welding.

Instructions with a dimension greater than 1/16 inch

(1.5 mm) should be considered relevant.
Linear indication: One that has a greater length than
3 times its width.
Rounded indication: That which is circular or elliptical in shape
with a length equal to or less than 3 times its width.
[Link]:

13.1Construction Manager:
Coordinate with the Supervision for the verification of the
meetings to be examined by PT and the test itself.

13.2QA/QC Responsible:
Verify compliance with this procedure in the
PT inspections, as well as reviewing the reports issued.

13.3Level II PT:

Perform the PT inspections according to this

procedure, issue the test reports.

13.4Field Engineer and/or Supervisor:

 Provide the necessary facilities for the realization of the
test, such as cleaning with electric tools,
scaffolding installation, etc.

14. REGISTERS:

The test record must include at least the following

information
a. Test date.
b. Place of the test.
[Link] examined and material.
d. Specifications of the dyes: brand, type, and method.
e. Time of penetration and time of
revealed.
f. Acceptance criterion.
[Link] of the joint, diameter, thickness.
h. Test result.

15. SECURITY:
a. PT tests will be conducted in open spaces, away from fire.
open.
b. It will be used:
• Basic PPE, transparent safety glasses are recommended.
• Mask against vapors, preferably rubber gloves (canvas or
leather
[Link] it is strictly necessary to perform the test in
closed spaces, this must have a means of ventilation
suitable; the oxygen content in that must be monitored
environment and the arrangements will be made for a permit
special work in confined spaces.
d. All rags used with dye residues will be
deposited in the corresponding containers, according to
the environmental provisions.
 PORT INSPECTION RECORD Code:
Edition:
PENETRATING DYES
Date:

PROJECT: PLACE:
INSPECTEDMATERIAL: EQUIPMENT/LINE:
ACCEPTANCE CRITERION: REGISTRATION:

SPECIFICATION OF LOSTINTES:

BRAND: PENETRATING TIME:

TYPE: II, Method C TIME OF REVELATION:

ITEM JUNTA Ø (in.) WELDER TEAM/LINE RESULT OBSERVATIONS

IMAGE / DIAGRAM

Nombre: Nombre:

Date: Date:
InspectorQC Supervision