Liquid penetrant inspection can be used on both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals.

Liquid penetrant inspection can be used on both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals.

• A. Only nonmagnetic metals
• B. Both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals
• C. Only ferromagnetic metals
• D. It cannot detect surface-breaking defects

Answer: (B)

Liquid penetrant inspection works by capillary action drawing a dye into any surface-opening flaws, then making those penetrations visible with a developer. This method relies on surface characteristics, not magnetic properties, so it can be used on both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals. That means ferrous steels and other magnetic metals, as well as aluminum and other nonmagnetic metals, can be inspected with LPI as long as the surface is clean and accessible. It’s specifically for surface-breaking flaws, so subsurface defects that don’t reach the surface won’t be seen. This is why liquid penetrant inspection is applicable to both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals.

Liquid penetrant inspection works by capillary action drawing a dye into any surface-opening flaws, then making those penetrations visible with a developer. This method relies on surface characteristics, not magnetic properties, so it can be used on both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals. That means ferrous steels and other magnetic metals, as well as aluminum and other nonmagnetic metals, can be inspected with LPI as long as the surface is clean and accessible. It’s specifically for surface-breaking flaws, so subsurface defects that don’t reach the surface won’t be seen. This is why liquid penetrant inspection is applicable to both magnetic and nonmagnetic metals.