Note: For Technical Data Sheets, SDS or Certifications for any of the products listed below, go to the "Documentation" tab on the home page.

Fluorescent and Visible Penetrant Products

Approved to MIL-I-25135 & AMS-2644

Water Washable Fluorescent Penetrants

Level 1/2

• HM-1 - For relatively non-critical work.

Level 1

• HM-2D - Recommended for magnesium and aluminum casting with difficult surfaces.
• HM-220 - Free rinsing; use on difficult surfaces. No petroleum distillates.
• WB-100 - Water-based; environmentally friendly. Also shipped as concentrate; user adds water.

Level 2

• HM-3A - Versatile, general purpose material; used extensively on aluminum and magnesium castings; competitively priced.
• HM-406 - Widely used in aerospace on magnesium, aluminum and titanium castings and extrusions. More sensitive than HM-3A. Also in spray cans.
• HM-412 - Similar to HM-406, only more sensitive.
• HM-440 - Free rinsing. Contains no petroleum distillates.
• HM-602 - Resists over-washing. Contains no petroleum distillates.
• WB-200 - Water-based; environmentally friendly. Also shipped as concentrate; user adds water.

Level 3

• HM-430 - High sensitivity; formulated for rough surfaces.
• HM-604 - Widely used. Competitively priced. No petroleum distillates. Resists over-washing.
• HM-607 - Similar to HM-604 except slightly more sensitive.

Level 4

• HM-704 - Ultra-high sensitivity. Used on smooth surfaces. No petroleum distillates.

Nonwater-Washable Fluorescent Penetrants

Level 1

• RC-29 - Competitively priced.

Level 2

• RC-50 - Widely used.

Level 3

• RC-65 - Also in spray cans.

Level 4

• RC-77 - Also in spray cans.
• RC-88 - Ultra-high sensitivity; increases visibility of microscopic flaw indications.

Emulsifiers for Fluorescent Penetrants - Methods B & D

• ER-85 - Method B lipophilic, oil-based, used in post-emulsification processes.
• ER-83A - Method D hydrophilic, detergent-based, "non-aggressive," used after plain-water pre-rinse, recommended for use with RC-77 on highly critical rotating parts.

Cleaners and Removers for Fluorescent Penetrants - Method C

• DR-60 - Clear, non-chlorinated solvent for pre-cleaning and penetrant wipe-off. Also in spray cans.
• DR-62 - Similar to DR-60; evaporates more readily. Also in spray cans.
• LA-1 - Alkali-based, hot tank pre-cleaner. Replaces solvent-based pre-cleaners.

Developers for Fluorescent Penetrants

• D-90G - Dry powder, "form a," excellent surface cling.
• D-100 - Nonaqueous, "form d," alcohol suspension, spray application. Also available in spray cans.
• D-106 - Nonaqueous, "form d," similar to D-100, evaporates more readily; spray application. Also available in spray cans.
• D-113G.1 - Water soluble powder, "form b," normally used with nonwater-washable penetrants.
• D-110A.1 - Water suspendable powder, "form c."

Visible Pentrant Products

Approved to MIL-I-25135 & AMS-2644

Visible Penetrants

• DP-40 - Nonwater-washable, use with emulsifier or solvent wipe-off. Also in spray cans.
• DP-51 - Water-washable, remove with water or solvent. Also in spray cans.
• DP-54 - Water-washable, contains no petroleum distillates, more acceptable to sewage treatment facilities. Remove with water or solvent.
• KO-17 - Specially formulated and approved for high temperature applications, such as welds. Use with Hi-Temp K-019 Cleaner and with D-350 or D-100 Developers. Also in spray cans.
• By-Lux - Dual response: indications are red under normal light; orange under black light. Also in spray cans.

Removers/Cleaners

• DR-60 - Clear non-chlorinated solvent for pre-cleaning and penetrant wipe-off. Also in spray cans.
• DR-62 - Similar to DR-60; evaporates more readily. Also in spray cans.
• KO-19 - Foam cleaner especially formulated for use at high temperatures. Use with other Hi-Temp products. Also, use when wide, shallow cracks are suspected. Also in spray cans.

Emulsifiers for Visible Penetrants

• ER-85 - Method B, lipophilic, oil-based. Use with nonwater-washable penetrants.
• ER-83A - Method D, hydrophilic, detergent-based, "non-aggressive." Use after plain water pre-rinse to emulsify nonwater-washable penetrants.

Developers for Visible Penetrants

• D-100 - Nonaqueous, "form d," alcohol suspension, spray application. Also available in spray cans.
• D-106 - Nonaqueous, "form d," similar to D-100, evaporates more readily; spray application. Also available in spray cans.
• Hi-Temp D-350 - Approved: use with other Hi-Temp products on heated surfaces. Also in spray cans.

Also Available

• Instruction Manual - "Visible Dye Penetrant Process: Spray Can Method" - Spanish or English; complimentary, no obligation.

Specialized Test Pieces, Accessories, & Services

• Twin KDS Panels - Identical "Known Defect Standards" permitting the side-by-side comparison of penetrants and monitoring of penetrant system as required by ASTM E-1417. New product. Proprietary manufacturing process. Rugged; withstands daily use. Economical and reliable.
• PSM-5 Penetrant System Monitor Panel - Industry standard, manufactured to Pratt-Whitney P/N TAM 146040 specifications. Use to satisfy MIL-STD-6866 and ASTM E-1417 requirements for daily system check.
• Cracked Aluminum Blocks - "Penetrant Comparator" to meet ASME Boiler Pressure Code, Section V & III, and MIL-I-23135-C requirements.
• WTP-1 Wash Test Panel - Use to satisfy removability test requirements.

Laboratory Services

• In-Service Penetrant Tests - Periodic tests of in-use penetrants as required by MIL-STD-6866 and ASTM E-1417 - brightness, water content, viscosity, removability, sensitivity, and water tolerance. US Air Force approved laboratory.
• Panel Recalibration - Refurbish, recalibrate, and certify compliance of in-service PSM-5 Test Panels.

Sherwin Incorporated’s laboratory now offers annual contracts for in-use penetrant testing.

The annual contract reduces paperwork and overhead and represents a savings of nearly 20%, compared to billing for individual tests.

Schedule of In-Use Penetrant Materials Testing

*Removability, Sensitivity, and Separation are often tested locally by the user.

Sherwin Incorporated’s QC Laboratory Service Includes:

1. Providing plastic bottles with labels for forwarding samples.
2. QC reports mailed within three working days after receiving samples. When requested, reports will be faxed without charge.
3. Immediate phone notification of discrepancies.
4. Consultation concerning discrepancies to prevent reoccurrence.
5. Testing of all manufacturers’ materials.
6. Providing consultation, materials, equipment and other assistance to help penetrant users establish in-house testing procedures.

Contact Person:

Bob Siegel, Laboratory Director

Sherwin Incorporated

5530 Borwick Avenue

South Gate, CA 90280

Phone: 562.861.6324

*No sensitivity level classification exists for Type 2 Visible Penetrants

Specifications: The current specification, AMS-2644 and its QPL-AMS-2644-1, establish the penetrant system classification scheme. The scheme ranks fluorescent penetrants in terms of their sensitivity and removal properties. It also classifies developers and removers. Various classes of penetrants are approved for different inspection requirements. Penetrant users should assure that inspection procedures meet production requirements.

Consultation: It is important that a penetrant system match production requirements, not only to assure that specifications are met, but also to assure that sensitivity levels and inspection methods meet inspection criteria. Some applications have very stringent criteria calling for the highest sensitivity, while others accept lower levels of sensitivity. When penetrant systems are not appropriately matched to inspection criteria, unnecessarily high penetrant materials costs as well as the unnecessary rejection of parts can result. Or worse, parts can be accepted that otherwise should have been rejected, leading to parts failure, or recall. Sherwin Incorporated welcomes the opportunity to help users choose the appropriate combination of penetrant materials.