ISO 4987-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 4987:2020 — Steel and iron castings — Liquid penetrant testing. This International Standard specifies a method for liquid penetrant testing (LPT) of steel and iron castings to detect surface‑breaking discontinuities and to guide inspection procedures for cast components.

Abstract

ISO 4987:2020 provides a standardized procedure for the application, dwell time, removal and development of penetrants, inspection under appropriate lighting, and interpretation/reporting of surface indications on steel and iron castings. It aligns practical inspection steps with general penetrant‑testing principles and references supporting documents for material and product verification.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 31 January 2020 (corrected version March 2020 noted by publisher).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 77.040.20; 77.140.80.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2020).
• Number of pages: 30 pages.

Scope

Applies to liquid penetrant testing of steel and iron castings. The standard specifies the procedure to be used for detection of surface‑open discontinuities on castings, including recommended process steps (surface preparation, selection of penetrant system, application, dwell, removal, developer application, inspection and recording). It is intended for use where a harmonized LPT procedure for castings is required and cross‑references general penetrant testing principles and material verification documents.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined test procedure for LPT on steel and iron castings (surface preparation, sequence of application and removal, developer use).
• Classification of penetrant system types and guidance on selection (fluorescent and visible/colour‑contrast systems; water‑washable, solvent‑removable and post‑emulsifiable systems where applicable).
• Recommended dwell times and inspection conditions to ensure bleed‑out and reliable indication development.
• Lighting and viewing requirements for both visible and fluorescent penetrants, and environmental/temperature considerations for testing.
• Recording, reporting and interpretation guidance for indications on cast surfaces (identification of relevant vs non‑relevant indications).
• References to procedures for verification and control of penetrant materials and to personnel qualification requirements.

Typical use and users

Used by foundries, casting manufacturers, quality/inspection departments, NDT technicians and third‑party inspectors responsible for surface integrity of steel and iron castings. Typical applications include routine production inspection, incoming/outgoing quality control, failure investigation and pre‑shipment acceptance where LPT is specified by contract or product standard.

Related standards

Commonly used with the ISO penetrant testing series and NDT personnel standards, including ISO 3452‑1 (Penetrant testing — general principles), ISO 3452‑2 (testing of penetrant materials), ISO 3453 (means of verification – historical reference), ISO 10893‑4 (LPI of steel tubes) and ISO 9712 (qualification and certification of NDT personnel). ISO 4987:2020 supersedes ISO 4987:2010.

Keywords

liquid penetrant testing; LPT; penetrant inspection; steel castings; iron castings; non‑destructive testing; penetrant systems; dwell time; developer; inspection criteria; NDT.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 4987:2020 is an International Standard that defines a method for liquid penetrant testing of steel and iron castings, giving practical procedural guidance for conducting LPT on cast components.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the LPT procedure for castings — surface preparation, penetrant application and type selection, dwell and removal, developer application, inspection lighting and interpretation/reporting of surface indications. It does not set product‑specific acceptance limits (those are given in product or contract specifications) and it references general penetrant testing principles for broader guidance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Foundries, inspection and quality departments, NDT service providers and engineering organisations that specify or perform penetrant testing on steel and iron castings.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 4987:2020 is the current edition published in January 2020 (with a corrected issue noted in March 2020) and it supersedes ISO 4987:2010. As with all ISO standards, it is subject to periodic review (typically every five years).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is used alongside the ISO penetrant testing series (for example ISO 3452‑1 and ISO 3452‑2) and other NDT standards (e.g., ISO 9712 for personnel certification) that together define principles, materials testing and competence requirements for penetrant testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: liquid penetrant testing, penetrant inspection, castings, non‑destructive testing, LPT procedures, penetrant systems, developer, inspection lighting.