As part of our full service testing capabilities, at Pacific Magnetic & Penetrant Co., Inc., we offer magnetic particle inspection and liquid penetrant dye inspection for aerospace and other commercial manufacturing customers. Magnetic particle inspection can be used to detect discontinuities at the surface and near sub-surface of ferrous materials. These discontinuities may be a result of production errors or in-service damage. Prior to magnetic particle inspection, parts are thoroughly cleaned and dried to remove any scale, oil, or other contaminants that could interfere with testing. Once the part is properly prepared, a magnetic field is applied. When the magnetic field reaches any discontinuity, what is called “leakage” occurs. Magnetic particles are applied to the surface of the test part and congregate near any leakage area, visually identifying points of indications. When performed by certified professionals, magnetic particle inspection is a fast, accurate and relatively low cost way to identify flaws in ferromagnetic components.
While magnetic particle inspection can only be used in the testing of ferromagnetic parts, liquid penetrant inspection is capable of detecting surface indications in nearly any smooth, nonporous material. In liquid penetrant inspection, the part is thoroughly cleaned and or etched of all residue and contamination to provide a clear path for the liquid to reach any surface discontinuity. Once clean and or etched, liquid penetrant is applied to the part. Depending on the penetrant and material, the time required for the penetrant to seep into the surface indications will vary. After the specified time, the excess liquid is removed from the surface, leaving only the penetrant that leached into the surface indications. A developer is applied which pulls the penetrant out of the surface indications, making the surface flaws visible. We perform liquid penetrant inspection on titanium, aluminum, plastic, and composite parts. This testing service is available with lead times of 2 to 3 days, with rush service available as needed. For additional information about our magnetic particle and liquid penetrant testing capabilities, see the table below, or contact us directly.