Non-dripping heat resistant dye penetrant

Abstract

Biodegradable water washable dye penetrant composition in the form of a gel for use in non-destructive dye penetrant inspection of parts, and which can be applied to part surfaces at varying angles without dripping, and being resistant to decomposition and liquefaction when applied to heated surfaces, e.g. up to about 300.degree. F, such composition consisting essentially of (1) an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, (2) a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of a surfactant comprised of certain straight chain, primary, aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohols, particularly biodegradable surfactants comprised of the nonionic condensation products of linear primary aliphatic alcohols having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, preferably in the form of a mixture thereof, such as the material marketed as Plurafac A-24, or in the form of certain ethoxylated secondary alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, and (3) silica, particularly fumed silica, such silica employed e.g. in a proportion of 5 parts per 1 part of the sum of the other dye penetrant components, including biodegradable surfactant and dye, by volume.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.