Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Discussion Forum
:

Crack Detection

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Bama8N

02-06-2001 12:41:32




Report to Moderator

It just dawned on me that maybe I can contribute something to this fine board instead of just reading and learning. I couldn't have repaired many of the things on my tractor without your help.
For the last 35 years I have made my living as a Quality Inspector and Non-Destructive Test Technician, checking for flaws in aircraft, Space Shuttle payloads and now in a rocket factory. Although there are several high tech methods we use, one is fairly simple to use and is highly effective. It is called Dye Penetrant Inspection. The materials consist of a cleaning solvent, a visable penetrant and a developer. These can be purchased at most welding supply stores for a total cost of $20-$25.
The most important thing about penetrant inspection is CLEAN! No paint, no grease and no dirt. If you have access to a vapor degreaser it is ideal. If not, just do the very best job you can at cleaning the area. When the part is completely dry, apply the the penetrant. It can be sprayed on or brushed on, but the spray is messy. Let it set for 30 minutes,then wipe off all the excess you can. Spray solvent on a clean paper towel just enough to dampen it and remove all the rest that you can. Do this several times until you have removed all the excess you can. Remember, just dampen the towel, not sopping wet. DO NOT spray solvent directly on the part as this could wash penetrant out of the crack. Let the part dry for 5 minutes, then apply a light coat of developer. This will draw penetrant out of the crack. The dye is red and you will be able to see a crack if it is there. All of these materials come in spray cans. Be sure to get VISABLE dye. Other dyes are flouresent and must be viewed in a dark room with a black light. Best method for applying penetrant is spray it on a brush and brush it on. If doing small areas you could do a lot of checks with one kit. You will use more cleaner than anything and you can buy them individually. Spray cleaner directly on the part to clean up.
As you can see I am not a writer. I hope I have not jumped around so much I have confused you. This process is easy to use and is highly effective, even for fine, tight cracks if they are clean.
If I have left anything out or confused you, I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
John Evans

10-02-2002 03:03:34




Report to Moderator
 Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-06-2001 12:41:32  
Thanks for advice on crack detection using dye penetrant.I had purchased the cleaner,penetrant and developer from a local supplier with no instructions for use.However I knew the theory behind the process and set to work with the kit to no avail.Hence my search of websites and your advice led me to perservere.
I found I had a problem with the developer not developing properly. It just seemed to do nothing when srayed onto the penetrant. However I had some success by accident. After the developer was added I wiped the area with paper towel to remove the developer and penetrant to start all over again. I had gone to get the cleaner when on return to the specimen I found that the area was covered in a fine white powder with the crack clearly defined as the penetrant ran out of the crack.I then repeated this process 3 times and still got perfect results. I am now chuffed to bits and can use the kit with confidence in my work.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Fred OH

02-07-2001 05:54:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-06-2001 12:41:32  
One other crack finding method that could be mentioned is to clean the suspected part off with diesel fuel and wipe dry. Then rub chalk over the entire area and the crack will show up as a thin grey line as the diesel fuel in the crack soaks into the chalk. If you don't have the dye penetrant kit, this'll work. TYLTK L8R----Fred OH



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Al English

02-06-2001 18:46:07




Report to Moderator
 Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-06-2001 12:41:32  
Thanks for the post Bama. After restoring classic cars for a few years, working on assorted race cars, and four years of fatigue testing chassis parts for Ford, I've dye checked a lot of parts. But in all that time I never saw anything but spray cans of penetrant. Talk about messy, to avoid spraying dye where I didn't want it I've let all the propellant out of a spray can, punched two holes in it, and removed the dye to another container for manual application. Now I find out the dye is avalable that way. Thanks for the info., next time I'll know better.....Al English

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bill (NY)

02-06-2001 16:04:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-06-2001 12:41:32  
Thanks Bama8N,
Will the part require any special cleaning after this to get paint to stick?
Bill



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Al English

02-06-2001 18:58:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bill (NY), 02-06-2001 16:04:09  
Bill, Yes, after dye checking the part will need cleaning. I have used both trichlorethane and laquer thinner, and both work well. However, exposure to either one should be minimized. Trichlorethane was once a relatively common industrial solvent, but it turns out it's worse to be around than was previously thought. Not that laquer thinner is all that great either, a thinner that is free of MEK(methylethylketone) is the less harmful of the two.....Al English

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TimK

02-06-2001 14:44:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-06-2001 12:41:32  
Great advice. Salute ! Stupid question, but what is a penetrant and developer. Can you give me a brand name I can throw around at the store ?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bama8N

02-07-2001 04:17:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Crack Detection in reply to TimK, 02-06-2001 14:44:18  
Magna-Flux is probably the biggest brand. I've also seen Crack Chek. The penetrant is a penetrating solvent with a dye added. The developer is a powder in wet solution that will stick when sprayed on, then the wet carrier quickly dries and leaves a dry powder. I also forgot to mention wearing gloves, not so much from a hazard standpoint but the dye will get all over your hands. Surgical gloves are great. Clean-up can also be done with soapy water.
Again, let me say this is a easy and highly effective way of checking parts for defects. If a crack is there, you will find it if you do it properly.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brad

02-07-2001 19:44:55




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Crack Detection in reply to Bama8N, 02-07-2001 04:17:06  
Wasn't there a brand called ZyGlo or something like that?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jimp CO

02-08-2001 10:02:34




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Re: Crack Detection in reply to Brad, 02-07-2001 19:44:55  
Zyglo is alive and being used frequently. Only problem with it is that it takes the black light to make it glow?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Fred OH

02-08-2001 12:16:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Crack Detection in reply to Jimp CO, 02-08-2001 10:02:34  
The type that I used to use was called Spot Check Dye Penetrant. It may have changed names since I used it last. I could go out in the shop and look on the can if you need it. Purple penetrant and white developer. L8R----Fred OH



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy