What type of indication would you expect to see in metals and ceramics that exhibit porosity?

When evaluating the type of indication you would expect to see in metals and ceramics that exhibit porosity, it is important to understand that the nature of the indications will often reflect the surface irregularities associated with the porosity itself. In materials with porosity, the key characteristic is that the penetrant can seep into the voids and produce similar indications as in non-porous materials. Thus, the indications that arise are fundamentally driven by surface discontinuities.

The types of indications created by porosity in both metals and ceramics would appear similar because they reflect similar mechanisms of fluid movement and retention within those materials. In essence, the visible signs of porosity—whether observed as small voids or as accumulations of liquid penetrant—will generally manifest as small indications similar to those found in other types of discontinuities.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately reflect the expectations for penetrant testing of porous materials. Whereas large cracks and coarse pitting would indicate significant flaws or surface degradation rather than porosity, shiny spots do not realistically represent porosity and may misleadingly refer to surface finishes or other superficial characteristics. Therefore, considering the shared characteristics of porosity across both metals and ceramics, it is evident that the correct answer reflects the continuity