Crack Detection Sprays

Crack Detection Sprays

Dye penetrant crack detection is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method used to reveal surface-breaking defects including fatigue cracks, porosity, cold shuts and weld defects in metals, castings and structural components. AIMS Industrial stocks dye penetrant inspection (DPI) systems for inspection routines in fabrication, maintenance and quality control.

How Dye Penetrant Inspection Works

The penetrant inspection process consists of three stages, each requiring a specific spray product:

• Cleaner/Remover — cleans and degreases the surface before inspection, and is used again after the penetrant step to remove excess surface penetrant. A clean, dry surface is essential for accurate results.
• Penetrant — a red or fluorescent dye with very low surface tension that seeps into any open surface defects by capillary action during the dwell time (typically 10–30 minutes depending on defect type and material).
• Developer — a white powder suspended in a carrier solvent that is sprayed over the surface after the penetrant step. As it dries, it draws penetrant out of defects by reverse capillary action, producing a vivid red indication against the white background that is clearly visible.

Where Crack Detection Is Used

Dye penetrant inspection is used on welds (post-weld inspection and in-service checks), castings (revealing porosity, hot tears and cold shuts), structural steel (fatigue crack detection at stress concentrations), shafts and connecting rods (periodic inspection), and pressure vessels and pipelines (in-service inspection under maintenance and compliance programs).

Aerosol Kits

Aerosol kits (cleaner + penetrant + developer, sold separately or as a matched set) are the most practical format for field inspection and low-volume applications. They require no special equipment and are straightforward to apply with consistent results when the dwell times and surface conditions are observed correctly.

For help selecting the right crack detection system for your inspection requirement, contact our team. AIMS Industrial has been supporting Australian industry since 1988.