Penetrant Classification System

No sensitivity level classification exists for Type 2 Visible Penetrants

Specifications:
The current specification, AMS-2644 and its QPL-AMS-2644-1, establish the penetrant system classification
scheme. The scheme ranks fluorescent penetrants in terms of their sensitivity and removal properties. It
also classifies developers and removers. Various classes of penetrants are approved for different inspection
requirements. Penetrant users should assure that inspection procedures meet production requirements.

Consultation: It is important that a penetrant system match production requirements, not only to assure that
specifications are met, but also to assure that sensitivity levels and inspection methods meet inspection
criteria. Some applications have very stringent criteria calling for the highest sensitivity, while others accept
lower levels of sensitivity. When penetrant systems are not appropriately matched to inspection criteria,
unnecessarily high penetrant materials costs as well as the unnecessary rejection of parts can result. Or
worse, parts can be accepted that otherwise should have been rejected, leading to parts failure, or recall.
Sherwin Incorporated welcomes the opportunity to help users choose the appropriate combination of
penetrant materials.

Visible (Type 2)
Visible dye penetrants are characterized by a red indication against a white contrasting background
provided by the developer and visible under normal white light. The application of developer on visible
penetrant shall be thicker than that applied on fluorescent penetrant. The visible dye process, while less
sensitive than the fluorescent dye, does have many distinct advantages and is extensively used in a wide
variety of industries and applications. One major and rather obvious advantage is the fact that no special
lighting is required for evaluation; just provide sufficient white light for viewing. The red against white
background is selected due the high degree of contrast ratio provided by this color combination under
normal white light. A good standard to use for lighting intensity is a minimum of 50 foot-candles, but some
standards may require as much as 100 foot-candles minimum.

It is important to remember that a fluorescent dye emits light while a visible dye reflects light. Due to this
major difference, the required film thickness for a visible dye to be seen is four (4) times that which is
necessary for a fluorescent dye to be visible. Hence, the fluorescent dye will be much more sensitive when
attempting to detect minute or shallow discontinuities.