Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory
& Inspection Services (KIL)
Quality Control Procedure
DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
1 For Review & Comments Prasanth.S
Rev Comments Prepared By Checked By Approved By
Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory & Inspection
Services (KIL)
DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
Index
1. Scope
2. Purpose
3. References
4. Definitions
5. Responsibilities
6. Procedure
7. Attachments
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Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory & Inspection
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DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
1. SCOPE
This procedure covers the Dye Penetrant Inspection of welds/base metal.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Quality Control Procedure is to address clause 4.9 “Process Control” of ISO
9001: 2008 and covers the requirements, performance and documentation of Dye penetrant
examination of weld seams in plates, pipes and branches in carbon and stainless steel.
3. REFERENCES
This Procedure is based on the following codes:
1. ASME B & PV Code Section V Article 6 and with the acceptance
criteria/standards set forth in ANSI/ASME B31.3 for piping
2. ASME Sec I
3. API 1104
4. ASNT SNT-TC-1A
4. DEFINITIONS
Liquid penetrant inspection is an aided visual inspection used primarily for detection of
cracks or crack like discontinuities that are open to the surface.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 The NDT Controller delegated for the control and coordination of NDT activities shall issue
the Penetrant Inspector with a daily written list of welds ready for inspection.
5.2 The Penetrant Inspector shall be responsible for conducting and reporting the results of
inspection is accordance with ASME-B&PV code, Section 5, and present Procedure.
6. PROCEDURE
6.1 Surface Requirements
The surface temperature must be monitored and must be such that it does not exceed the
penetrant’s working temperature range that is 60 - 125 deg F as standard . The surface area
to be inspected as well as the neighboring area of not less than 25mm wide must be dry and
free from dirt, grease, lint, scale, flux powder, slag, spatter, oil and any other material which
may obscure surface openings or otherwise interfere with the examination. This also
applies to surface coatings which may block the surface openings.
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Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory & Inspection
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DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
a) Mechanical cleaning
If mechanical surface cleaning methods such as grinding etc. or machining are used,
suitable measures must be taken to prevent open surface areas being masked.
b) Chemical and Physical cleaning
The following methods are applicable:
Cold solvent cleaning for degreasing.
Solvent steam degreasing or hot steam degreasing.
These products shall also comply with Para: 6.2 Chlorine and Sulphur Criteria. When
physical cleaning is used the minimum dry time of 5 minutes is advisable to achieve
solvent evaporation.
6.2 Test Media Requirements
To ensure optimum sensitivity, all Penetrant Inspection materials (i.e.
penetrant/cleaner/emulsifier/developer) should be ordered from the same supplier and they
shall be of the same brand.
6.3 Temperature Requirements
During the whole examination, the surface temperature of the piece to be examined, as well
as the penetrant materials, shall be kept in the range of 60 oF -125 oF (16 oC - 52 oC). If it is
not possible to examine within this range, a proof of sufficient test sensitivity is necessary
using the comparator block according to ASME Code, Sec. V, Art. 6, T-653. If acceptable
inspection can be performed up to the established acceptable temperature.
6.4 Performance
6.4.1 Test Methods
The following liquid penetrant methods and types may be used:
Method - Visible, Liquid Penetrant Inspection
Type 1 - Water Washable
Type 3 - Solvent removable
NOTE: Mixing of materials of different families or manufactures is not permitted.
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DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
6.4.2 Dwell Times
Dwell times shall be as per ASME Sec V Article 6 Table T-672
Notes:
1. Penetrant manufacturer’s instructions must also be observed and followed.
2. If the penetrant begins to dry on the surface of the component during the
penetration time, reapply penetrant for the minimum penetration time required
above. If the penetrant completely dries on the surface of the component, the
component shall be completely reprocessed.
Dye Penetrant Inspection shall be performed after Post Weld Heat Treatment
(P.W.H.T.), where P.W.H.T. is required.
6.5 Application and Processing
6.5.1 Penetrant
The penetrant shall be applied by dipping, brushing or spraying.
6.5.2 Intermediate cleaning
The removal of excess penetrant shall be carried out by:
Solvent,
water, or
lint-free cloth.
Solvent removable penetrants may be removed by wiping with a lint free cloth or an absorbent
paper until most penetrant has been absorbed. The remaining traces may be removed by a cloth
moistened with solvent.
Flushing the surface with solvent is prohibited. Water washable penetrants may be removed by
water spray, the pressure shall not exceed 345 kPa and the temperature shall be between 16 oC
and 43 oC.
6.5.3 Drying after Excess Penetrant Removal
For the water washable the surfaces may be dried by blotting with clean materials or by suing
circulating warm air, provided the temperature of the surface is not raised above 125 oF (52 oC).
Warm air drying times vary with size, nature and number of components being processed. A
minimum period of time shall be established to ensure that the excess penetrant has been
evaporated prior to application of developer.
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Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory & Inspection
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DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
6.5.4 Developer
Non aqueous wet developers shall be used and applied by spraying.
As a first approximation minimum Developer Dwell time is 7 minutes. Manufacture’s
instructions must also be observed and followed.
6.6 Inspection
Inspection may start after applying the developer. The first inspection will be made after 7
minutes and the final inspection after 30 minutes.
Inspection shall include a band of base metal at least 25 mm wide on each side of the weld.
6.7 Personnel Qualifications
All personnel performing Dye Penetrant Inspection shall be qualified and certified according to
SNT-TC-1A level II, CSWIP, PCN, or A.W.S. certification.
6.8 Evaluation and Documentation
Mechanical discontinuities at the surface shall be indicated by bleeding out of the penetrant;
however, localized surface imperfections, occurring from machining marks or other surface
conditions, may produce similar indications which are non-relevant to the evaluation of
mechanical discontinuities.
Any indication which is believed to be non-relevant shall be examined to verify whether or not
actual defects are present. Surface conditioning may precede the re-examination. Non-relevant
indications and broad areas of pigmentation which would mask indications of defects are
unacceptable.
Relevant indications are indications which result from mechanical discontinuities.
Linear indications are indications in which the length is more than three times the width.
Rounded indications are indications which are circular or elliptical with the length equal or less
than three times the width.
6.9 Acceptance Criteria
6.9.1 Acceptance criteria of weld defects shall be as per ASME B31.1,ASME Sec I, ASME
B31.3.
API 1104 For Pipe line.
AWS D1.1, which ever is applicable.
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Kuwait International Industrial Laboratory & Inspection
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DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
QCP/KIL-08
6.9.2 Repairs.
When the conditions of Sec. 6.9.1 are not met, the non-conforming area shall be ground until
the defect is removed or reduced to an acceptable size and retested. If repair by welding is
necessary, the repaired area shall be tested by Dye Penetrant and must meet the requirements of
Sections 6.9.1.
7. ATTACHMENTS
Liquid Dye Penetrant Inspection Report Form
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