What can be an effect of using the wrong developer on a penetrant inspection?

Using the wrong developer on a penetrant inspection can lead to reduced sensitivity of detected flaws. In penetrant testing, a developer is applied after the penetrant has been absorbed into any surface-breaking defects. The purpose of the developer is to draw out the penetrant from the defects and enhance the visibility of those defects.

If an inappropriate developer is used, it may not properly facilitate the migration of the penetrant out of the flaw, thus reducing the overall sensitivity of the inspection process. This means that even if there are defects present, they might not be revealed clearly or at all, leading to a higher risk of missed flaws. Ultimately, the purpose of the testing method—which is to detect surface-breaking defects—may not be achieved effectively.

The other choices describe outcomes that would not typically result from using the wrong developer. Increased contrast and improved clarity of defects necessitate the right developer to highlight flaws correctly, while faster drying of the sample might not correlate with the quality of the inspection results. Therefore, reduced sensitivity directly impacts the effectiveness of the inspection and highlights the importance of using the correct developer.