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What is "red dip" used to check plating?

2001

Hello,

I have a question, it is related to metal finishing, but I don't want to finish anything. I was wondering if anyone knows what a liquid called "red dip" is, it is used in our Quality Assurance department. We manufacture aircraft landing gears for several large corporations, and do a lot of off load work. I have asked the employees in that area, all they say is that we are not supposed to have it, therefore I didn't see it.

Any ideas about what this could be would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

N. Tauber
- Wichita, Kansas, USA

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2001

Although I'm not familiar with "red dip", it is apparently a crack detection system or one step in a crack detection system.When a component may have been weakened by a crack, it is common to dip it or spray it with something that will be sucked into the crack by capillary action to accentuate the crack for visual detection, ultraviolet light detection, or whatever. I vaguely recall hearing of some two-part system using a red coating that would show through a subsequent white coating if the part was cracked, but I have no 'hands-on' knowledge of it.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey