Dye Penetrant Inspection / PT Testing / Red-White Test / Fluorescent Testing on-site or in the laboratory at Zeros GmbH

Penetrant Testing PT | Red-White Test | Dye Penetrant Inspection

Dye Penetrant Inspection / PT Testing / Red-White Test / Fluorescent Testing on-site or in the laboratory at Zeros GmbH

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  • manual testing
  • mobile or in-house
  • contrast method
  • testing method for quality assurance
  • red-white test
  • fluorescent inspection (FPI)

Non-Destructive

Penetrant Testing

Step-by-step schematic representation of penetrant testing

Schematic representation of penetrant testing

Reliable visibility starts beneath the surface. Zeros GmbH is your experienced partner for non-destructive material testing with special expertise in penetrant testing (PT).

Our laboratory detects even the smallest surface defects such as cracks, pores, and bonding defects – quickly, safely, and in compliance with standards. Testing can be carried out in-house or mobile directly at your site.

The method is particularly suitable for inspections in various industries such as steel construction, mechanical and plant engineering, automotive manufacturing or tank and bridge construction.

Our inspections are carried out according to DIN EN ISO 3452 (formerly DIN 54 152) and by certified personnel. We can also efficiently handle series inspections.

Reliable testing, high significance – Zeros makes material defects visible before they become a risk.

Contact us for individual advice or a tailored offer for your penetrant testing in Berlin and the surrounding area.

Complementary Methods

The testing laboratory meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penetrant Testing Non-Destructive?

Yes, penetrant testing (PT) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method. Specially formulated penetrant liquids are applied to the surface of a component to reveal open-to-surface defects without damaging or altering the part. After testing, the component remains fully functional, making PT a standard method in quality assurance.

Can we carry out penetrant testing (PT) at your site?

Yes, we offer penetrant testing both mobile at your site and in our testing laboratory.
Our experienced team brings all the necessary testing materials and equipment and can inspect components directly in your production facility or on the construction site.
This saves you transport costs and downtime.

How quickly can you carry out a penetrant test and to what extent?

We can respond at short notice – often within just a few days.
Thanks to our mobile inspection teams and flexible capacities, we can perform both single inspections and series inspections.
We inspect components of all sizes and geometries and provide you with complete documentation of the results afterwards.

What is red-white testing?

Red-white testing is a specific application of penetrant testing. The “red” refers to the penetrant (usually bright red), which is applied to the surface and removed after a certain dwell time. After cleaning the test area, the part is sprayed with a white developer. Indications appear in color (typically red) against the white background. This procedure can be performed in daylight using visible dye penetrants or with fluorescent penetrants under UV light. It can be conducted manually at the part or using penetrant systems, e.g. for serial inspection.

What is penetrant testing?

A dye penetrant test is part of surface crack detection methods. The method can make open flaws visible on components or welds. The principle of the method is that the clearly visible penetrant penetrates microfine cracks and pores due to its low surface tension and high capillary action. After cleaning, this becomes clearly visible with the help of a developer.

How Penetrant Testing (PT) Works

Process of penetrant testing
Technical Background and Process of Penetrant Testing

Penetrant testing, also known as PT, is a non-destructive testing method for detecting surface defects in non-porous materials. Typical materials include: aluminium, magnesium, titanium, stainless steels.

  1. Step 1 – Preparation

    Clean the surface to remove dirt, oil, and residues.

  2. Step 2 – Apply Penetrant

    The red or fluorescent liquid is applied and penetrates any defects.

  3. Step 3 – Intermediate Cleaning

    Remove excess penetrant without flushing it out of the defects.

  4. Step 4 – Apply Developer

    Apply the white developer, which draws the penetrant from the defects to the surface.

  5. Step 5 – Evaluation

    The defects appear clearly visible. For fluorescent methods, evaluation is performed under UV light.

  6. Step 6 – Final Cleaning and Documentation

    After evaluation, clean the component and record the results.

Available Variants
  • Red-White Testing – for simple and quick visual inspections
  • Fluorescent Testing – particularly sensitive, ideal for safety-critical components

Penetrant testing is cost-effective, flexible, and delivers reliable results even for complex geometries. It is one of the most important methods in non-destructive testing.