Method A: Fluorescent Penetrant Water Washable

Guide to Method A processing per ASTM E-1417.

1. Pre Clean The Surface

Use Met-L-Chek® E-59A, R-503, R-504, or MLC 300LF to remove oil, grease and other contaminants from the test surface. The test surface must be clean, dry, and at a temperature of 40-125°F (4.4-52°C) before penetrant is applied.

Products to Use: 

E-59A, R-503, R-504, MLC 300LF:

2. Apply Penetrant

Apply Met-L-Chek® penetrant using spray, immersion, or wipe on. Wait a minimum of 10 minutes; 20 minutes if temperature is between 40-50°F (4.4-10°C) before proceeding to the next step.

Products to Use:

FP SERIES: FP-921 – Level 1, FP-922 – Level 2, FP-923 – Level 3:

FBP SERIES: FBP-911 – Level 1, FBP-912 – Level 2, FBP-913 – Level 3, FBP-914 – Level 4:

3. Wash

Wash the part.

  • Water Temperature: 50-100°F (10-38°C).
  • Water pressure: < 40 psi (< 275 kPa).
    • If a hydro-air nozzle is used, limit pressure to < 25 psi (< 172 kPa).
  • Wash Distance: > 12 inches (>30 cm).
  • Wash Time: Only long enough to remove surface fluorescence under UV-A (black light).

For Water-Based Developers go to step 3.A

For Non Water-Based Developers skip to step 3.B

3.A Water Based Developers

Apply Met-L-Chek® D-78B, form “c”, developer by immersion or spray prior to drying.

  • Dry Time: only long enough to dry surface.
  • Dry Temperature: Not to exceed 160°F (71°C).

Products to Use: 

D-78B:

3.B Non-Water Based Developers

Dry the part to be inspected then apply Met-L-Chek® D-72A, a dry powder developer, form “a”, by dusting or apply Met-L-Chek® D-70, a non aqueous developer, form “d”, by by spraying.

  • Dry Time: only long enough to dry surface.
  • Dry Temperature: Not to exceed 160°F (71°C).

Products to Use: 

D-72A, D-70:

4. Inspect

Wait a minimum of 10 minutes before inspection.

  • Maximum wait time is 1 hour for form “d” (non-aqueous) developers and 4 hours for form “a” (dry powder) developers. If times are exceeded, clean the part and reprocess.
  • Use UV-A illumination of > 1000 μW/cm2 at 15 inches (38.1 cm). Inspect parts in a darkened area of < 2 foot candles (< 21 lux).

Other Fluorescent Inspection Methods

Method B: Post-Emulsifiable, Lipophilic

Method C: Solvent-Removable (Wipe-Off)

Method D: Post-Emulsifiable, Hydrophilic