Abstract An improved process of inspection penetrant development employing a high-sensitivity, high-resolving power inspection penetrant developer in which the active developing ingredient is a waxy substance which is a solid or near-solid at room temperature but which becomes fluid at slightly elevated temperatures. The waxy developer material mat be dissolved in a suitable carrier liquid, such as water or other inert volatile solvent, and is deposited on test parts by dipping, brushing or spraying, and allowing the carrier liquid to evaporate. The development process includes the step of applying heat to the test parts, during oven drying or by hearing subsequent to airdrying, whereby the waxy developer layer becomes a fluid, and carries into solution any dyed penetrant entrapments present in the surface defects. When the test parts cool to room temperature, the fluid waxy layer, which now contains developed defect indications, solidifies and prevents excessive bleeding and migration of the indications.
In an inspection penetrant process in which a tracer-dyed penetrant material is applied to a test surface, excess surface penetrant is removed, and entrapments of the tracer-dyed penetrant are developed in an applied coating of developer material, an improvement being the step of heating said test surface to a temperature above the fusion point of saiD developer material, thereby melting said developer material, said developer material consisting essentially of a tracer-dye-compatible heat-fusible wax, said fusible wax having a melting point falling within the range of from 75* to 225* F.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an inspection penetrant process in which a tracer-dyed penetrant material is applied to a test surface, excess surface penetrant is removed, and entrapments of the tracer-dyed penetrant are developed in an applied coating of developer material, an improvement being the step of heating said test surface to a temperature above the fusion point of saiD developer material, thereby melting said developer material, said developer material consisting essentially of a tracer-dye-compatible heat-fusible wax, said fusible wax having a melting point falling within the range of from 75* to 225* F.