PENETRANT Meaning and
Definition
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A penetrant is a substance or agent that has the ability to permeate or enter into something. It is typically used to describe a chemical that is capable of infiltrating the surface or material it comes into contact with, usually through pores, cracks, or openings.
In various industries, especially in manufacturing and engineering, penetrants are widely employed for the inspection and detection of defects, specifically in materials such as metal, ceramic, or plastic. This process, known as penetrant testing or penetrant inspection, involves applying a liquid penetrant onto the surface of the material being analyzed. The penetrant is left to enter any surface imperfections, invisible cracks, or flaws. After a specific amount of time, excess penetrant is removed, and a developer is often applied to draw out the penetrant that has filled any defects. This allows for the identification of potentially critical or structural issues that may compromise the integrity or functionality of the material.
Penetrants can also refer to substances that are capable of deeply entering and spreading within biological tissues or organisms. In pharmaceuticals and medicine, for instance, penetrants may describe drugs or medications that possess the ability to efficiently pass through various physiological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier or the cell membrane, to reach their intended targets and exert their therapeutic effects. The term "penetrant" is thus used to indicate substances with the capacity to infiltrate or permeate different materials or physiological systems.
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Having power to enter or pierce.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PENETRANT
- Penetranse
- oenetrant
- lenetrant
- -enetrant
- 0enetrant
- pwnetrant
- psnetrant
- pdnetrant
- prnetrant
- p4netrant
- p3netrant
- pebetrant
- pemetrant
- pejetrant
- pehetrant
- penwtrant
- penstrant
- pendtrant
- penrtrant
- pen4trant
- Penecraft
- Penitrant
Etymology of PENETRANT
The word "penetrant" derives from the Latin verb "penetrare", which means "to pass through" or "to enter". It entered the English language in the mid-17th century and was primarily used as an adjective to describe someone or something that deeply understands or grasps a subject matter or concept. Over time, its usage expanded to include its current meaning as a noun or adjective referring to a substance or solution that has the ability to penetrate or permeate other materials.
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