Liquid Penetrant Testing Level 2 (PT-2) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not an advantage of a water washable fluorescent penetrant process?

1. Excess penetrant is easily removed with a water wash

2. It is well suited to testing large quantities of small parts

3. It is readily removed from shallow discontinuities

4. It has low cost, low processing time compared to the post emulsified penetrant process

The correct answer is: It is readily removed from shallow discontinuities

In the context of liquid penetrant testing, the water washable fluorescent penetrant process offers several key advantages. Among these, the ease of excess penetrant removal with water, its suitability for testing large quantities of small parts, and its cost-effectiveness stand out. However, the assertion that it is readily removed from shallow discontinuities is not accurate. While water washable penetrants are formulated for easy removal, shallow discontinuities may not allow enough penetration of the dye, making it more challenging for the penetrant to be effectively washed away. Certain types of penetrants, particularly the post-emulsified ones, may perform better in this scenario because they can be designed to better adhere to discontinuities, ensuring that the penetrant remains in the defect long enough to be detected after application. Understanding the characteristics of different methods and their specific advantages and limitations is essential for selecting the appropriate penetrant process based on the testing requirements.