What is the main consequence of using expired penetrants or developers in liquid penetrant testing?

The main consequence of using expired penetrants or developers in liquid penetrant testing lies in the potential loss of effectiveness, which can lead to undetected defects. Liquid penetrant testing relies on the chemical properties of penetrants to seep into surface-breaking flaws and then be drawn out by a developer to reveal indications of those defects.

When penetrants or developers are past their expiration date, their chemical composition may degrade, reducing their ability to penetrate or to draw out indications effectively. This degradation can result in lower sensitivity or inadequate development of the indications, ultimately compromising the reliability of the testing process and potentially allowing critical flaws to go unnoticed. Maintaining the integrity of the testing materials is essential to ensuring reliable examination results and ensuring the safety and integrity of the components being tested.