Dry developer composition in powder form for use in penetrant inspection of surface flaws in bodies, consisting essentially of alumina, silica, talc and titanium dioxide. The resulting powder developer is particularly effective when applied to a surface following application of a fluorescent penetrant, to provide bright fluorescent indication of surface flaws when inspected under fluorescent illumination.
Dry developer composition in powder form and process for using same in the inspection of metal surfaces for cracks and defects open to the surface by the penetrant process. The powder composition of this invention has special significance in providing easier to see flaw indications when used with the fluorescent penetrant method of inspection.
A method of and apparatus for detecting fuel leaks employing color variable indicators. The method comprises the steps of preparing and applying a water soluble non-staining indicator dye to a test surface, observing color changes indicative of hydrocarbon leaks and removing the indicator dye from the test surface. The apparatus comprises in combination means for preparing the indicator dye, means for applying the indicator dye to the test surface and means for removing the dye from the test surface. The indicator dye comprises a major portion of a dry inert mineral carrier from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of a direct dye which is non-staining on painted surfaces and which does not migrate into or penetrate polyurethane or epoxy resin base painted surfaces, and from about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of a surfactant.
A method and composition for detecting surface flaws in workpieces by means of the penetrant inspection process, the invention being concerned with an improved dry developer composition for use in such process, the developer containing substantial amounts of pentaerythritol, usually in combination with a finely divided inert powder.
A method of and apparatus for detecting fuel leaks employing color variable indicators are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of preparing and applying a water soluble nonstaining indicator dye to a test surface, observing color changes indicative of hydrocarbon leaks and removing the indicator dye from the test surface. The apparatus comprises in combination means for preparing the indicator dye, means for applying the indicator dye to the test surface and means for removing the dye from the test surface. The indicator dye comprises a major portion of a dry inert mineral carrier and from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of a direct dye which is non-staining on painted surfaces and which does not migrate into or penetrate polyurethane or epoxy resin base painted surfaces.
Water washable substantially biodegradable compositions having excellent sensitivity and high stability, for use in non-destructive testing of objects for contaminant detection and identification. The contaminant identifier composition consists essentially of a fluorescent dye and a suitable carrier. The developer composition consists essentially of an organic dye or combination of dyes, preferably fluorescent dyes, and a carrier or solvent therefore, in the form of certain ethoxylated linear alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 10 to 17 carbon atoms. In the method of application the contaminant identifier is first applied to the surface of an object to be tested to detect the presence of the contaminant. Excess identifier is removed and the developer composition applied for a time sufficient to dye the contaminant. The surface is then flushed to remove any excess developer and, the surface of the object is viewed under suitable light and conditions, e.g., ultraviolet or black light to locate surface contaminants.
