What must be done after the penetrant dwell time?

After the penetrant dwell time, the essential step is to remove the excess penetrant from the surface of the component being tested. This is crucial because the purpose of the dwell time is to allow the penetrant to seep into any discontinuities or flaws on the surface. Once this time has elapsed, leaving excess penetrant on the surface can lead to false indications or background noise during the development stage.

Removing the excess penetrant helps to ensure that only the penetrant within the flaws or discontinuities remains, which will then be drawn out during the development process. This enhances the visibility and clarity of the indications created after the developer is applied, enabling more accurate inspection results. Properly following this step is vital for effective liquid penetrant testing and achieving reliable outcomes.