Non-destructive testing (NDT): identify what type of flaws dye penetrant inspection can reveal Given standard liquid penetrant testing conditions for metals and non-porous materials, determine the class of defects this method is best suited to detect. Choose the most accurate option.

Given

• Dye (liquid) penetrant method for defect detection.

Concept/Approach
Liquid penetrant testing relies on capillary action. A low-viscosity dye seeps into surface-breaking discontinuities and then bleeds out under developer to reveal indications. It cannot detect subsurface flaws because it requires an open-to-surface path.

Elimination
Core defects (a) are internal; not detectable unless they break the surface.Superficial (c) is vague and not an NDT category; meaningful targets are cracks, seams, laps, porosity that open to the surface.Temporary defects (d) is not an engineering category.

Final Answer
Surface defects (surface-breaking flaws)