What is a common source of error in Liquid Penetrant Testing?

Improper dwell time or inadequate surface cleaning is indeed a common source of error in Liquid Penetrant Testing.

Dwell time refers to the period during which the penetrant remains on the surface of the material, allowing it to enter any defects. Insufficient dwell time may mean that the penetrant does not have enough opportunity to seep into cracks or other discontinuities, leading to missed defects during evaluation.

Additionally, inadequate surface cleaning can greatly affect the results of Liquid Penetrant Testing. If the surface is not properly cleaned before the application of the penetrant, contaminants such as oils, dirt, or corrosion products may prevent the penetrant from entering the flaws. This results in false negatives during inspection, as the penetrant may only be adhering to surface contaminants instead of actual defects, compromising the integrity of the testing procedure.

As a result, ensuring proper cleaning and an adequate dwell time are critical to achieving reliable and accurate results in Liquid Penetrant Testing.