Oilfield Glossary

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Note: Definitions provided on this website are for reference purposes only. Engineers and professionals should independently confirm all information using industry standards.

Dye penetrant inspection

Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI or PT) is a widely used low-cost inspection method to locate surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials (metals, plastics). A liquid penetrant is applied and allowed to seep into cracks via capillary action.

After cleaning the excess penetrant relative to the surface, a developer is applied to draw the penetrant out of the crack, revealing a high-contrast indication (usually red dye on white developer). It is commonly used on non-magnetic materials like stainless steel or aluminum.

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