ISO 3452-1:2013 specifies a method of penetrant testing used to detect discontinuities, e.g. cracks, laps, folds, porosity and lack of fusion, which are open to the surface of the material to be tested. It is mainly applied to metallic materials, but can also be performed on other materials, provided that they are inert to the test media and not excessively porous (castings, forgings, welds, ceramics, etc.)

It also includes requirements for process and control testing, but is not intended to be used for acceptance criteria and gives neither information relating to the suitability of individual test systems for specific applications nor requirements for test equipment.