And yet they did it! (2)

Well before the coming into force of the ISO 3452-2:2006 and ISO 3452-3:1998 standards, type 1 reference test blocks were used in France since the end of the 70s.

They were called the Nickel-Chromium cracked test panels (see drawing below)

Well before the coming into force of the ISO 3452-2:2006 and ISO 3452-3:1998 standards, type 1 reference test blocks were used in France since the end of the 70s.

They were called the Nickel-Chromium cracked test panels (see drawing below)

Aerospace industries were using:
• The 50, 30 and 20 µm reference test blocks for sensitivity Level 2.
• The 30, 20 and 10 µm reference test blocks for sensitivity Level 3.
• The 20 and 10 µm reference test blocks for sensitivity Level4.

These quite expensive test panels require some handling precautions to avoid scratching, cracks chipping or nickel and chromium plating damaging.

So, a technician of a Quality Assurance department of an aerospace company, sure to do it the right way, had a smart idea and designed an appropriate test panel holder which he even patented!

Some mechanical companies as well as some PT materials suppliers were offered a license for manufacturing/marketing this test panel holder.

The stainless steel test panel holder could be fitted with one to three test panels. Four stainless steel "legs" attached the test panel by its edges. These "legs" were flexible enough to allow for a tough tightening of the panels.

Everything seemed OK.

But the trouble is, these "legs" eventually scaled nickel and chromium plating in the fitting areas.

It was a complete failure and the test panel holder went out of everyone's brain...except ours, here to tell this true story.

Anyway, they did it!

Reference

ISO 3452-2:2006 Non-destructive testing -- Penetrant testing -- Part 2: Testing of penetrant materials, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2006.

ISO 3452-3:1998 Non-destructive testing -- Penetrant testing -- Part 3: Reference test blocks, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1998.

In the '60s a UK Company had a motto: "For every surface treatment problem, there is a product xxxxxx" (trademark we do not display).

Engineers and Commercial people in this Company had made a "translation": "With every surface treatment product xxxxxx (trademark we do not display), there is a problem".

This anecdote is there only to remind everyone that problems met in workshops may be due to the suppliers/manufacturers as well as to the users.

Our idea in these documents is NOT to target anyone, but on the contrary to bring to your knowledge some interesting cases which may prevent you to duplicate the same mistakes while performing Penetrant Testing (PT) or Magnetic Testing (MT).

All the ministories you will read are TRUE. We think they will be helpful:
• First as examples of specific technical --or non-technical-- requirements or peculiar problems.
• Second to let you see that the problems do not always come where you think they should come from.
• Third so that users feel free to ask for help from people (the experts) who may know more than they do.