DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION (DPI),
DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION ( DPI ), Dye penetrant inspection ( DPI ), also called liquid penetrant inspection ( LPI ) or penetrant testing ( PT ), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). The penetrant may be applied to all non-ferrous materials and ferrous materials; although for ferrous components magnetic-particle inspection is often used instead for its subsurface detection capability. LPI is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity , leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components. History The oil and whiting method used in the railroad industry in the early 1900s was the first recognized use of the principles of penetrants to detect cracks. The oil and whiting method used an oil solvent for cleaning followed by the application of a whiting or chalk coating, which absorbed