Dye Penetrant Inspection

Dye-Penetrant-Inspection-DPI

Experienced Dye Penetrant Inspection Specialists

At Bravura Inspection, we offer expert Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) services, an effective, reliable, and cost-efficient non-destructive testing method for identifying surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials. DPI is widely recognised for its simplicity and sensitivity, making it ideal for detecting flaws such as fatigue cracks, porosity, leaks, and welding irregularities.

Our team of PCN-certified technicians uses both visible and fluorescent dye systems, depending on the inspection environment and component requirements. Whether you’re working with stainless steel, aluminium, ceramics, or other non-ferrous materials, Bravura ensures that each inspection meets the highest standards of accuracy and repeatability. We offer both on-site and in-house testing to suit your operations, serving industries such as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, marine, and energy with dependable results and minimal disruption.

What is Dye Penetrant Inspection?

Dye Penetrant Inspection, also known as Liquid Penetrant Testing, is a method used to locate surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials. This technique is an evolution of the traditional oil and chalk test and is widely applied due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high sensitivity to flaws.
DPI Dye Penetrant Inspection
Dye Penetrant Testing

How Does Dye Penetrant Inspection Work?

The procedure for Dye Penetrant Inspection relies on capillary action, where a liquid dye penetrates cracks or discontinuities on the material’s surface. After applying the dye, excess Penetrant is removed, and a white developer is applied. The developer draws out the Penetrant trapped in voids, staining the developer and indicating the presence and location of defects.

Benefits of Dye Penetrant Inspection

Versatility

Dye Penetrant Inspection is suitable for both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, and is especially effective for testing austenitic steels and non-conductive components where other methods, such as magnetic particle testing, are not applicable. It is also highly adaptable across various shapes, surface finishes, and part sizes.

Cost-Effective

DPI is a low-cost solution that requires minimal setup and equipment. It is particularly valuable for batch testing small, machined parts in a laboratory environment, offering a practical balance between speed, accuracy, and affordability.

High Sensitivity

Despite being one of the most straightforward NDT methods, DPI offers high sensitivity to surface-breaking defects. It is capable of detecting extremely fine cracks, pinholes, and porosity that may not be visible to the naked eye, making it a reliable choice for ensuring component quality and performance.

On-Site and In-House Capabilities

We provide both portable and lab-based DPI services to accommodate the specific requirements of your operation. We offer inspections using either visible red dyes (for daylight visibility) or fluorescent penetrants (requiring UV light for high sensitivity), giving you flexible options for achieving the most accurate results in any environment.