As we enter the new millennium, NDT can look forward to a bright future. Scientists, chemists, engineers, metallurgists and such are ever more equipped to accept the challenges of our new technologically-motivated world. Industries, too, are far more educated to the need for NDT than ever before. So why am I concerned? It is the penetrant testing area of NDT that bothers me so much. To this comment, many NDT practitioners might respond: "Who cares! This ancient method has long passed its importance and if we need it, its application requires little knowledge." It is as if the literature, standards, procedures and even R&D for penetrant testing were complete, and we simply had to consult existing publications to reference the method. This is not the case, I can assure you. Why the does this, often-expressed opinion prevail? Let me offer some reasons.
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