Higher Sensitivity Penetrant Improves Inspection Quality [Case Study]

  •  

In this case study, we help an aerospace customer improve their inspection quality and consistency with two Magnaflux penetrants 

September 5, 2017

Liquid Penetrant Inspection

 

The Customer

Our UK-based customer specializes in engine manufacture and refurbishment. They carry out liquid penetrant and magnetic particle inspection on high-performance engine components, including engine blocks, heads, pistons, rods, valves, crankshafts, camshafts and fly wheels. The end use of these components demand high-quality non-destructive inspection on a variety of different metals (steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium) and 100% component inspection. 

Due to the complexity of their product range, this customer needed a higher sensitivity penetrant than they were using, and it had to be of high quality and consistency to give them total piece of mind during inspection.

 

The Challenge

The challenge for our customer was two-fold:

  1. To move the inspection onto a range of consumable products with which they could be sure of the quality and consistency necessary to give them total peace of mind during inspection.
     
  2. Due to the complexity of the product range that required inspection, they needed to introduce a higher sensitivity water-washable penetrant and a post-emulsifiable penetrant. 

    Historically, they had been using a single sensitivity of penetrant to inspect a whole range of components and, while this seemed like a good solution in principle, the reality was that, in some cases, there was a risk of not actually locating defects. For example, the current Level 2 water washable penetrant was, at one point, used to inspect titanium components where there was a need to find very fine defects. The issue here is that when removing the excess penetrant, there is a risk of removing penetrant from any surface-breaking defects.

 

The Solution

In 2011 a new manager took over the running of this company’s inspection department. This manager has extensive experience in the aerospace industry and with using Magnaflux products, chosen for their quality, consistency and dependability.

Magnaflux worked with the new inspection department manager to:

  • Change over all chemical consumable products to Magnaflux products, both for liquid penetrant and magnetic particle inspection, including ancillary cleaner and developer products.
     
  • Rationalize to using two Magnaflux penetrant products: ZL-67, a water-washable Level 3 penetrant, and ZL-37, a post-emulsifiable Level 4 penetrant.

 

The Results

By implementing working with Magnaflux to develop a solution which meet all their requirements, this customer achieved the quality reassurance they were looking for. 

By changing and increasing their range of penetrant sensitivity levels, they were able to introduce real improvements within the refurbishment side of their business.
 

“Having been comfortable with using Magnaflux products for many years, I was very happy to be moving to using their products for both liquid penetrant and magnetic particle inspection once again. One thing that I have always been impressed with by Magnaflux is the quality of the whole package that you get from them – quality products through to quality Safety Data Sheets.

The ability to upgrade to using two penetrant sensitivities means that we now have the capability to cover both existing and future inspections.”

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NDT INSIGHTS AND ARTICLES FROM MAGNAFLUX

Want to stay up on the latest NDT insights and articles from Magnaflux? 

Subscribe to Magnaflux updates above to get fresh news delivered to your inbox once a week.

Please wait while we gather your results.

Related Blog Entries

Visible Liquid Penetrant Inspection

Better Weld Inspections with Dye Penetrant [Case Study]

Learn how one engineering and fab company improved their NDT weld inspection quality with SKL-WP2 dye penetrant.

Read More...

Why Penetrant Removability is Important, Not Just Sensitivity

Why Penetrant Removability is Important, Not Just Sensitivity

High quality fluorescent liquid penetrant inspections require strong removability combined with strong sensitivity to deliver clear, crisp indications

Read More...

Differences of Using Multi-Directional and Uni-Directional

Differences of Using Multi-Directional and Uni-Directional

In this experiment, we compare the speed of a multi-directional magnetic particle wet bench to a traditional uni-directional method.

Read More...

Benefits of Developer

Benefits of Using Developer During Liquid Penetrant Inspection [Case Study]

Learn how a automotive manufacturer increased indication detection in visible and UV light with developer.

Read More...

Magnaflux Penetrant Inspection

Higher Sensitivity Penetrant Improves Inspection Quality [Case Study]

In this case study, we help an aerospace customer improve inspection quality and consistency with two Magnaflux penetrants

Read More...

Airplane Engine NDT

How to Improve Fluorescent NDT Process Control with LED UV Lighting [Case Study]

See how an aerospace OEM manufacturer increased NDT inspection reliability & control with wide-beam, overhead LED UV-A lamps

Read More...

ST700 High Volume Inspections

How to Increase High-Volume NDT Inspection Speed and Reliability with LED UV Lighting [Case Study]

See how an automotive parts manufacturer decreased inspection time and improved reliability with wide-beam, overhead UV lamps

Read More...

Protective Armor Inspection with Zyglo Penetrant [Case Study]

Protective Armor Inspection with Zyglo Penetrant [Case Study]

In this case study, we show how an armor solutions provider increased quality control on a semi-porous surface with ZL-19

Read More...

Aerospace MRO NDT

Reducing Particle Loss During Mag Particle Testing [Case Study]

In this case study, we help an aerospace MRO customer resolve fluctuations in their magnetic particle concentration

Read More...

Magnaflux Penetrant Inspection

Understanding Type-, Batch- and In-Use-Testing for Liquid Penetrants [Case Study]

Learn the differences between type testing, batch testing and in-use testing for NDT liquid penetrants.

Read More...

Use of Solvent Based Developer for 3D Scanning [Case Study]

Use of Solvent Based Developer for 3D Scanning [Case Study]

Learn about a customer who was in search of an aerosol with an even matte coating, fast drying properties, and easy is to remove

Read More...

Liquid penetrants for leak detection of ventilation systems

Using Fluorescent Penetrant for Ventilation System Leak Detention [Case Study]

Learn how to look at the recommended actions associated with the chemical risk assessment.

Read More...

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NDT INSIGHTS AND ARTICLES FROM MAGNAFLUX

Magnaflux

155 Harlem Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025, USA
Telephone: +1 847-657-5300
Contact Magnaflux Customer Service

Select Your Country North America Mexico Brazil China Europe India New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia
© 2024 Magnaflux - All Rights Reserved.
top