What might indicate the presence of porosity on a forged component during a penetrant test?

The presence of porosity on a forged component during a penetrant test is commonly indicated by spherical indications. These spherical marks are often the result of tiny voids or air pockets that were trapped during the forging process. When penetrant dye is applied, these voids can become filled with the dye, causing them to appear as round or spherical shapes on the surface during inspection. This is an important sign because porosity can affect the strength and integrity of the component, making it crucial to identify in quality control inspections.

While cracks, rough patches, or changes in surface texture can indicate other types of defects or issues with the component, they do not specifically point to porosity. Cracks typically suggest failure or significant stress, rough patches may arise from machining or finishing issues, and changes in surface texture could indicate various manufacturing flaws, but none of these specifically signify the presence of porosity like spherical indications do.