What is the term used to describe a developer's action in soaking up a penetrant in a discontinuity for maximum bleed-out?

The term that describes a developer's action in soaking up a penetrant in a discontinuity for maximum bleed-out is blotting. In liquid penetrant testing, after the penetrant has been applied and allowed to enter the discontinuities, a developer is then applied. The developer acts by drawing the penetrant out of the flaws, which helps to reveal the presence of any defects.

Blotting effectively allows the developer to absorb the penetrant that is within the discontinuity, maximizing the visibility of any indications that form on the surface. This process enhances contrast and detail of the indication, aiding in better inspection results.

On the other hand, saturation refers to the state of having absorbed as much penetrant as possible, while absorption generally describes the process of a material taking in a substance. Diffusion involves the movement of penetrant molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration, which does not specifically pertain to the developer's action in this testing method.