ARTICLE 5

ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR

MATERIALS

04 T-510 SCOPE specified value, or range of values, does not require

This Article provides or references requirements, requalification of the written procedure. All changes of
which are to be used in selecting and developing ultra- essential or nonessential variables from the value, or
sonic examination procedures for parts, components, range of values, specified by the written procedure shall
materials, and all thickness determinations. When SA, require revision of, or an addendum to, the written pro-
SB, and SE documents are referenced, they are located cedure.
in Article 23. The referencing Code Section shall be
consulted for specific requirements for the following:
T-530 EQUIPMENT
(a) personnel qualification/certification requirements;
(b) procedure requirements/demonstration, qualifica- T-531 Instrument
tion, acceptance; A pulse-echo type of ultrasonic instrument shall be
(c) examination system characteristics; used. The instrument shall be capable of operation at
(d) retention and control of calibration blocks; frequencies over the range of at least 1 MHz to 5 MHz,
(e) extent of examination and/or volume to be scanned; and shall be equipped with a stepped gain control in units
(f) acceptance standards; of 2.0 dB or less. If the instrument has a damping control,
(g) retention of records, and it may be used if it does not reduce the sensitivity of
(h) report requirements. the examination. The reject control shall be in the “off”
Definitions of terms used in this Article are contained position for all examinations unless it can be demon-
in Mandatory Appendix III of this Article. strated that it does not affect the linearity of the exami-
nation.

T-520 GENERAL
T-532 Search Units
T-521 Basic Requirements
The requirements of this article shall be used together The nominal frequency shall be from 1 MHz to 5
with Article 1, General Requirements. MHz unless variables such as production material grain
structure require the use of other frequencies to assure
adequate penetration or better resolution. Search units
T-522 Written Procedure Requirements with contoured contact wedges may be used to aid ultra-
T-522.1 Requirements. Ultrasonic examination shall sonic coupling.
be performed in accordance with a written procedure,
which shall, as a minimum, contain the requirements
listed in Table T-522. The written procedure shall estab- T-533 Couplant
lish a single value, or range of values, for each T-533.1 General. The couplant, including additives,
requirement. shall not be detrimental to the material being examined.
T-522.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure T-533.2 Control of Contaminants
qualification is specified, a change of a requirement in (a) Couplants used on nickel base alloys shall not
Table T-522 identified as an essential variable from the contain more than 250 ppm of sulfur.
specified value, or range of values, shall require requali- (b) Couplants used on austenitic stainless steel or tita-
fication of the written procedure. A change of a require- nium shall not contain more than 250 ppm of halides
ment identified as a nonessential variable from the (chlorides plus fluorides).

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 T-534 2004 SECTION V T-562.3

TABLE T-522
VARIABLES OF AN ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Essential Nonessential
Requirement Variable Variable

Material types and configurations to be examined, including thickness

dimensions and product form (castings, forgings, plate, etc.) X
Personnel qualification requirements X
Personnel performance requirements, when required X
The surfaces from which the examination shall be performed X
Surface condition (examination surface, calibration block) X
Couplant: brand name or type X
Technique(s) (straight beam, angle beam, contact, and/or immersion) X
Angle(s) and mode(s) of wave propagation in the material X
Search unit type(s), frequency(ies), and element size(s) shape(s) X
Special search units, wedges, shoes, or saddles, when used X
Ultrasonic instrument(s) X
Calibration [calibration block(s) and technique(s)] X
Directions and extent of scanning X
Automatic alarm and/or recording equipment, when applicable X
Scanning (manual vs. automatic) X
Method for sizing indications X
Computer enhanced data acquisition, when used X
Records, including minimum calibration data to be recorded (e.g., instrument
settings) X
Scan overlap (decrease only) X

T-534 Calibration Block Requirements T-560 CALIBRATION

The material from which the block is fabricated shall T-561 Instrument Linearity Checks
be of the same product form, material specification or The requirements of T-561.1 and T-561.2 shall be met
equivalent P-Number grouping, and heat treatment as at intervals not to exceed three months or prior to first
the material being examined. For the purposes of this
use thereafter.
paragraph, P-Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5 materials are considered
equivalent. The finish on the scanning surface of the block T-561.1 Screen Height Linearity. The ultrasonic
shall be representative of the scanning surface finish on instrument’s (excludes instruments used for thickness
the material to be examined. measurement) screen height linearity shall be evaluated
T-534.1 Tubular Product Calibration Blocks in accordance with Mandatory Appendix I of Article 4.
(a) The calibration reflectors shall be longitudinal T-561.2 Amplitude Control Linearity. The ultra-
(axial) notches and shall have a length not to exceed 1 sonic instrument’s (excludes instruments used for thick-
in. (25 mm), a width not to exceed 1⁄16 in. (1.5 mm), and ness measurement) amplitude control linearity shall be
depth not to exceed 0.004 in. (0.10 mm) or 5% of the evaluated in accordance with Mandatory Appendix II of
nominal wall thickness, whichever is larger. Article 4.
(b) The calibration block shall be long enough to simu-
late the handling of the product being examined through
T-562 General Calibration Requirements
the examination equipment.
T-562.1 Ultrasonic System. Calibrations shall
T-534.2 Casting Calibration Blocks. Calibration include the complete ultrasonic system and shall be per-
blocks shall be the same thickness ±25% as the casting formed prior to use of the system in the thickness range
to be examined.
under examination.
T-534.3 Bolting1 Material Calibration Blocks and
Examination Techniques. Calibration blocks in accor- T-562.2 Calibration Surface. Calibrations shall be
dance with Fig. T-534.3 shall be used for straight beam performed from the surface (clad or unclad; convex or
examination. concave) corresponding to the surface of the material
from which the examination will be performed.
1
“Bolting” as used in this Article is an all-inclusive term for any
type of threaded fastener that may be used in a pressure boundary T-562.3 Couplant. The same couplant to be used dur-
bolted flange joint assembly such as a bolt, stud, studbolt, cap screw, etc. ing the examination shall be used for calibration.

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 ARTICLE 5 — ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR MATERIALS

3 T min.

T/2 T/4
T/2

3 T/4

2 in. (50 mm) T/2

T/2

T/2
T
T/2 6 in. (150 mm) min.

2 in. (50 mm)

Clad if present

Basic Calibration Hole

Block Thickness, T, Diameter,
Weld thickness, t, in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm) Notch Size, in. (mm)

3 3
1 or less (25 or less) ⁄4 or t (19 or t) ⁄32 (2.5) Width p 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 (3.2 to 6.4)
Over 1 through 2 (25 through 50) 11⁄2 or t (38 or t) 1
⁄8 (3)
3
Over 2 through 4 (50 through 100) 3 or t (75 or t) ⁄16 (5) Depth p 2% T or 0.04 (1.0), whichever is
1
Over 4 through 6 (100 through 150) 5 or t (125 or t) ⁄4 (6) greater, into the base metal (2% T or
5
Over 6 through 8 (150 through 200) 7 or t (175 or t) ⁄16 (8) 0.1 whichever is greater, into the base
3
Over 8 through 10 (200 through 250) 9 or t (225 or t) ⁄8 (10) metal.)
Over 10 (250) t ± 1 (t ± 25) [Note (1)]
Length p 2 min. (50 min.)
GENERAL NOTES:
(a) Holes shall be drilled and reamed a minimum of 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) deep, essentially parallel to the examination surface.
(b) Alternatively, the block may be constructed as shown in Article 4, Appendix J, Fig. J-431.
(c) Curved surfaces: for curved surfaces, two curved blocks, one for each representative curvature; or two sets of calibration reflectors oriented
90 deg. from each other shall be used.
(d) Notches may be provided as required.
(e) The tolerance for hole diameter shall be ± 1⁄32 in. The tolerance on notch depth shall be + 10 and − 20%. The tolerance on hole location
through the thickness shall be ± 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm).
NOTE:
(1) For each increase in weld thickness of 2 in. (51 mm) or fraction thereof over 10 in. (254 mm), the hole diameter shall increase 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm).

FIG. T-534.2.1 BASIC CALIBRATION BLOCK

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 2004 SECTION V

(a) Block A Nomenclature

d = bolt diameter
D = calibration block diameter
Dh = flat-bottom hole diameter
D/
4
l = bolt length
L = calibration block length
l/ Lh = flat-bottom hole length
8

“bolt” refers to the material

L to be examined (bolting)
(typ)
(b) Block B

D l/
(typ) 4

Lh
(typ)

(c) Block C

Dh
(typ) l/
2

Calibration Calibration Flat-Bottom

Diameter of Bolting Material to be Block Diameter Flat-Bottom Hole Block Hole Depth
Examined (d ) (D ) Diameter (Dh ) Designation (Lh )

Up to 1 in. (25 mm) d ±d⁄4 1

⁄16 in. (1.5 mm) A 1.5 in. (38 mm)
Over 1 in. (25 mm) to 2 in. (50 mm) d ±d⁄4 1
⁄8 in. (3 mm) B 0.5 in. (13 mm)
Over 2 in. (50 mm) to 3 in. (75 mm) d ±d⁄4 3
⁄16 in. (5 mm) C 0.5 in. (13 mm)
Over 3 in. (75 mm) to 4 in. (100 mm) d ±d⁄4 5
⁄16 in. (8 mm)
3
Over 4in. (100 mm) d ± 1 in. (25 mm) ⁄8 in. (10 mm)

GENERAL NOTE: A tolerance of ±5% may be applied.

FIG. T-534.3 STRAIGHT BEAM CALIBRATION BLOCKS FOR BOLTING

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 T-562.4 ARTICLE 5 — ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR MATERIALS T-571.3

T-562.4 Contact Wedges. The same contact wedges calibration check shall be reexamined and their values
to be used during the examination shall be used for cali- shall be changed on the data sheets or re-recorded.
bration. T-563.3.2 Sensitivity Settings. If any sensitivity
T-562.5 Instrument Controls. Any control, which setting has changed by more than 20% or 2 dB of its
affects instrument linearity (e.g., filters, reject, or clip- amplitude, correct the sensitivity calibration and note the
ping), shall be in the same position for calibration, calibra- correction in the examination record. If the sensitivity
tion checks, instrument linearity checks, and examination. setting has decreased, all data sheets since the last valid
calibration or calibration check shall be marked void and
T-562.6 Temperature. For contact examination, the the area covered by the voided data shall be reexamined.
temperature differential between the calibration block and If the sensitivity setting has increased, all recorded indica-
examination surfaces shall be within 25°F (14°C). For tions since the last valid calibration or calibration check
immersion examination, the couplant temperature for cal- shall be reexamined and their values shall be changed on
ibration shall be within 25°F (14°C) of the couplant tem- the data sheets or re-recorded.
perature for examination.

T-564 Casting Calibration for Supplementary

T-563 Calibration Confirmation
Angle Beam Examinations
T-563.1 System Changes. When any part of the
examination system is changed, a calibration check shall For supplementary angle-beam examinations, the
be made on the calibration block to verify that distance instrument gain shall be adjusted during calibration such
range points and sensitivity setting(s) satisfy the require- that the indication from the side-drilled hole producing
ments of T-563.3. the highest amplitude is 80% ±5% of full screen height.
This shall be the primary reference level.
T-563.2 Periodic Examination Checks. A calibra-
tion check on at least one of the reflectors in the calibra-
tion block or a check using a simulator shall be made T-570 EXAMINATION
at the finish of each examination or series of similar
T-571 Examination of Product Forms
examinations, every 4 hr during the examination, and
when examination personnel (except for automated T-571.1 Plate. Plate shall be examined in accordance
equipment) are changed. The distance range points and with SA-435/SA-435M, SA-577/SA-577M, SA-578/SA-
sensitivity setting(s) recorded shall satisfy the require- 578M, or SB-548, as applicable, except as amended by
ments of T-563.3. the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
T-563.2.1 Simulator Checks. Any simulator T-571.2 Forgings and Bars
checks that are used shall be correlated with the original (a) Forgings and bars shall be examined in accordance
calibration on the calibration block during the original with SA-388/SA-388M or SA-745/SA-745M, as applica-
calibration. The simulator checks may use different types ble, except as amended by the requirements elsewhere
of calibration reflectors or blocks (such as IIW) and/or in this Article.
electronic simulation. However, the simulation used shall (b) All forgings and bars shall be examined by the
be identifiable on the calibration sheet(s). The simulator straight-beam examination technique.
check shall be made on the entire examination system. (c) In addition to (b) above, ring forgings and other
The entire system does not have to be checked in one hollow forgings shall also be examined by the angle-beam
operation; however, for its check, the search unit shall examination technique in two circumferential directions,
be connected to the ultrasonic instrument and checked unless wall thickness or geometric configuration makes
against a calibration reflector. Accuracy of the simulator angle-beam examination impractical.
checks shall be confirmed, using the calibration block, (d) In addition to (b) and (c) above, ring forgings made
every three months or prior to first use thereafter. to fine grain melting practices and used for vessel shell
T-563.3 Confirmation Acceptance Values sections shall be also examined by the angle-beam exami-
nation technique in two axial directions.
T-563.3.1 Distance Range Points. If any distance
(e) Immersion techniques may be used.
range point has moved on the sweep line by more than
10% of the distance reading or 5% of full sweep (which- T-571.3 Tubular Products. Tubular products shall
ever is greater), correct the distance range calibration be examined in accordance with SE-213 or SE-273, as
and note the correction in the examination record. All applicable, except as amended by the requirements else-
recorded indications since the last valid calibration or where in this Article.

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 T-571.4 2004 SECTION V T-592

T-571.4 Castings. Castings shall be examined in T-573.2 Inservice Examination of Bolting. Inservice
accordance with SA-609/SA-609M, except as amended examination of bolting shall be in accordance with Man-
by the requirements elsewhere in this Article. datory Appendix IV.
(a) For straight-beam examinations, the sensitivity
T-573.3 Inservice Examination of Cladding. Inser-
compensation in paragraph 8.3 of SA-609/SA-609M shall
vice examination of cladding, excluding weld metal over-
not be used.
lay cladding, shall be in accordance with SA-578/SA-
(b) A supplementary angle-beam examination shall be 578M.
performed on castings or areas of castings where a back
reflection cannot be maintained during straight-beam
examination, or where the angle between the front and T-574 Thickness Measurement
back surfaces of the casting exceeds 15 deg. Thickness measurement shall be performed in accor-
T-571.5 Bolting Material. Bolting material shall be dance with SE-797, except as amended by the require-
examined in accordance with SA-388/SA-388M, except ments elsewhere in this Article.
as amended by the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
(a) Bolting material shall be examined radially prior
to threading. Sensitivity shall be established using the T-580 EVALUATION
indication from the side of the hole in calibration block For examinations using DAC calibrations, any imper-
A at radial metal paths of D⁄4 and 3D⁄4. The instrument fection with an indication amplitude in excess of 20% of
gain shall be adjusted such that the indication from the DAC shall be investigated to the extent that it can be
D
⁄4 or 3D⁄4 hole (whichever has the highest indication ampli- evaluated in terms of the acceptance criteria of the refer-
tude) is 80% ±5% of full screen height (FSH). This shall encing Code Section.
be the primary reference level. A distance-amplitude cor-
rection (DAC) curve shall be established using the indica-
tions from the D⁄4 and 3D⁄4 holes and shall be extended to T-590 DOCUMENTATION
cover the full diameter of the material being examined. T-591 Recording Indications
(b) Bolting material shall be examined axially from
T-591.1 Non-Rejectable Indications. Non-rejectable
both end surfaces, either before or after threading. The
indications shall be recorded as specified by the referenc-
instrument gain shall be adjusted such that the indication
ing Code Section.
from the flat-bottom hole producing the highest indication
amplitude, is 80% ±5% FSH. This shall be the primary T-591.2 Rejectable Indications. Rejectable indica-
reference level. A DAC curve shall be established using tions shall be recorded. As a minimum, the type of indica-
the indications from the three flat-bottom holes and shall tion (i.e., crack, lamination, inclusion, etc.), location, and
be extended to cover the full length of the material being extent (i.e., length) shall be recorded.
examined. If any flat-bottom hole indication amplitude
is less than 20% FSH, construct two DAC lines using T-592 Examination Records
calibration blocks A and B, and calibration blocks B and
C and record the gain setting necessary to adjust the For each ultrasonic examination, the following infor-
highest indication amplitude for each DAC to 80% mation shall be recorded:
±5% FSH. (a) procedure identification and revision;
(c) Immersion techniques may be used. (b) ultrasonic instrument identification (including
manufacturer’s serial number);
(c) search unit(s) identification (including manufactur-
T-572 Examination of Pumps and Valves er’s serial number, frequency, and size);
Ultrasonic examination of pumps and valves shall be (d) beam angle(s) used;
in accordance with Mandatory Appendix I. (e) couplant used, brand name or type;
(f) search unit cable(s) used, type and length;
(g) special equipment, when used (search units,
T-573 Inservice Examination wedges, shoes, automatic scanning equipment, recording
T-573.1 Nozzle Inner Radius and Inner Corner equipment, etc.);
Region. Inservice examination of nozzle inner radii and (h) computerized program identification and revision,
inner corner regions shall be in accordance with Manda- when used;
tory Appendix II. (i) calibration block identification;

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 T-592 ARTICLE 5 — ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR MATERIALS T-593

(j) simulation block(s) and electronic simulator(s) (q) areas of restricted access or inaccessible areas;
identification, when used; (r) examination personnel identity and, when required
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

(k) instrument reference level gain and, if used, damp- by referencing Code Section, qualification level;
ing and reject setting(s); (s) date and time examinations were performed.
(l) calibration data [including reference reflector(s), Items (b) through (m) may be included in a separate
indication amplitude(s), and distance reading(s)]; calibration record provided the calibration record identi-
(m) data correlating simulation block(s) and electronic fication is included in the examination record.
simulator(s), when used, with initial calibration;
(n) identification of material or volume scanned; T-593 Report
(o) surface(s) from which examination was conducted, A report of the examinations shall be made. The report
including surface condition; shall include those records indicated in T-591 and T-592.
(p) map or record of rejectable indications detected or The report shall be filed and maintained in accordance
areas cleared; with the referencing Code Section.

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 ARTICLE 5
MANDATORY APPENDICES

APPENDIX I — ULTRASONIC maximum sound beam path, examination volume, and

EXAMINATION OF PUMPS AND calibration reflectors.
VALVES II-531.1 General. The general calibration block
I-510 SCOPE requirements of Article 4, T-434.1 shall apply.
This Appendix describes supplementary requirements II-531.2 Mockups. If sound beams only pass through
to Article 5 for ultrasonic examination of welds or base nozzle forgings during examinations, nozzle mockups
material repairs, or both, in pumps and valves. may be nozzle forgings, or segments of forgings, fixed
in structures as required to simulate adjacent vessel sur-
faces. If sound beams pass through nozzle-to-shell welds
I-530 EQUIPMENT during examinations, nozzle mockups shall contain noz-
I-531 Calibration Blocks zle welds and shell components of sufficient size to permit
calibration.
Calibration blocks for pumps and valves shall be in
accordance with Article 4, Nonmandatory Appendix J. II-531.3 Thickness. The calibration block shall equal
or exceed the maximum component thickness to be
examined.
I-560 CALIBRATION
II-531.4 Reflectors. The calibration block shall con-
I-561 System Calibration
tain a minimum of three notches within the examination
System calibration shall be in accordance with Article volume. Alternatively, induced or embedded cracks may
4, T-463 exclusive of T-463.1.1. be used in lieu of notches, which may also be employed
for demonstration of sizing capabilities when required by
the referencing Code Section. Notches or cracks shall
I-570 EXAMINATION
meet the following requirements:
The examination shall be in accordance with Article (a) Notches or cracks shall be distributed radially in
4, T-470. two zones with at least one notch or crack in each zone.
Zone 1 ranges between 0 deg and 180 deg (±45 deg) and
Zone 2 is the remaining two quadrants, centered on the
APPENDIX II — INSERVICE nozzle’s axis.
EXAMINATION OF NOZZLE INSIDE (b) Axial and circumferential notches or cracks shall
CORNER RADIUS AND INNER be placed with the nozzle inner radii examination volume;
CORNER REGIONS the orientation tolerance ±2 deg.
(c) Notch or crack lengths shall be 1 in. (25 mm)
II-510 SCOPE
maximum. Nominal notch widths shall be 1⁄16 in. (1.5
This Appendix describes supplementary requirements mm).
to Article 5 for inservice examination of nozzle inside (d) Notch or crack depths, measured from the nozzle
corner radius and inner corner regions. inside surface, shall be:
(1) Reflector No. 1 – 0.20 in. to 0.35 in. (5 mm to
9 mm)
II-530 EQUIPMENT
(2) Reflector No. 2 – 0.35 in. to 0.55 in. (9 mm to
II-531 Calibration Blocks 14 mm)
Calibration blocks shall be full-scale or partial-section (3) Reflector No. 3 – 0.55 in. to 0.75 in. (14 mm
(mockup) nozzles, which are sufficient to contain the to 19 mm)

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 II-560 ARTICLE 5 — MANDATORY APPENDICES III-540

II-560 CALIBRATION beam; sweep; test surface; through transmission tech-

II-561 System Calibration nique; transducer; ultrasonic; vee path; video presenta-
tion; wedge.
System calibration shall be in accordance with Article (b) The following Code terms are used in conjunction
4, T-463 exclusive of T-463.1.1.
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with this Article:

axial direction — direction of sound beam parallel to
component’s major axis
II-570 EXAMINATION
calibration — correlation of the ultrasonic system
The general examination requirements of Article 4, response(s) with calibration reflector(s)
T-471 shall apply. calibration reflector — a reflector with a dimensioned
surface which is used to provide an accurately reproduc-
ible reference level
APPENDIX III — GLOSSARY OF circumferential direction — direction of sound beam
TERMS FOR ULTRASONIC perpendicular to (cylindrical) component’s major axis
EXAMINATION clipping — see reject
computerized imaging — computer processed display
III-510 SCOPE or analysis and display of ultrasonic data to provide two-
This Mandatory Appendix is used for the purpose of or three-dimensional images of reflectors
establishing standard terms and definition of terms related CRT — cathode ray tube
to Ultrasonic Examination. Distance Amplitude Correction (DAC) curve — see
distance amplitude response curve
D-scan — an ultrasonic data presentation which pro-
III-520 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS vides an end view of the specimen indicating the approxi-
mate width (as detected per scan) of reflectors and their
(a) The Standard Terminology for Nondestructive
relative positions
Examinations (ASTM E 1316) has been adopted by the
Committee as SE-1316. dynamic calibration — calibration that is conducted
(b) SE-1316 Section I provides the definitions of terms with the search unit in motion, usually at the same speed
listed in III-530(a). and direction of the actual test examination
(c) For general terms, such as Interpretation, Flaw, electric simulator — an electronic device that enables
Discontinuity, Evaluation, etc., refer to Article 1, Man- correlation of ultrasonic system response initially
datory Appendix I. obtained employing the basic calibration block
(d) Paragraph III-530(b) provides a list of terms and multiple back reflections — in ultrasonic straight beam
definitions, which are in addition to SE-1316 and are examination, successive reflections from the back and
Code specific. front surfaces of the material
piezoelectric element — crystal or polycrystal materi-
als which when mechanically deformed, produce electri-
III-540 MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS cal charges, and conversely, when intermittently charged,
will deform and produce mechanical vibrations
(a) The following SE-1316 terms are used in conjunc-
primary reference response (level) — the ultrasonic
tion with this Article: A-scan; amplitude; angle beam;
response from the basic calibration reflector at the speci-
attenuation; attenuator; B-scan presentation; back reflec-
fied sound path distance, electronically adjusted to a spec-
tion; base line; beam spread; C-scan; contact testing;
couplant; damping, search unit; decibel (dB); distance ified percentage of the full screen height
amplitude response curve; dual search unit; echo; exami- refraction — the angular change in direction of the
nation system; frequency (inspection); frequency (pulse ultrasonic beam as it passes obliquely from one medium
repetition); holography (acoustic); immersion testing; to another, in which the waves have a different velocity
indication; initial pulse; interface; linearity (amplitude); ringing time — the time that the mechanical vibrations
linearity (time or distance); longitudinal wave; loss of of a piezoelectric element continue after the electrical
back reflection; mode; noise; pulse; pulse echo method; pulse has stopped
pulse repetition rate; range; reference block; reflector; scanning surface — see test surface
reject (suppression); resolution; scanning; search unit; simulation block — a reference block or other item
sensitivity; shear wave; signal-to-noise ratio; straight in addition to the basic calibration block that enables

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 III-540 2004 SECTION V IV-571

correlation of ultrasonic system response initially beam path and area of interest, and to demonstrate the
obtained when using the basic calibration block scanning technique.
SAFT-UT — Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique
IV-531.1 Material. The calibration block shall be of
for ultrasonic testing
the same material specification, product form, and surface
static calibration — calibration for examination
finish as the bolt(s) to examined.
wherein the search unit is positioned on a calibration
block so that the pertinent reflectors can be identified and IV-531.2 Reflectors. Calibration reflectors shall be
the instrumentation adjusted accordingly straight-cut notches. A minimum of two nothces shall
(c) The following definitions are used in conjunction be machined in the calibration standard, located at the
with Article 4, Appendix L: minimum and maximum metal paths, except that notches
acoustic pulse — the duration of time between the start need not be located closer than one bolt diameter from
and end of the signal when the amplitude reaches 10% either end. Notch depths shall be as follows:
of the maximum amplitude
Bolt Size Notch Depth*
B-scan (parallel scan) — scan that shows the data
collected when scanning the transducer pair in the direc- Less than 2 in. (50 mm) 1 thread depth
5
2 in. (50 mm) and greater, but ⁄64 in. (2.0 mm)
tion of the sound beam transversely across a weld less than 3 in. (75 mm)
back-wall signal — sound wave that travels between 3 in. (75 mm) and greater 3
⁄32 in. (2.5 mm)
the two transducers with a longitudinal velocity that
reflects off the materials back surface *
Measured from bottom of thread root to bottom of notch.
D-scan (non-parallel scan) — scan that shows the data
collected when scanning the transducer pair perpendicular As an alternative to straight-cut notches, other notches
to the direction of the sound beam along a weld (e.g., circular cut) may be used provided the area of the
diffracted signals — diffracted waves from the upper notch does not exceed the area of the applicable straight-
and lower tips of flaws resulting from its interaction with cut notches required by this paragraph.
the incident sound wave
free-run — recording a set of data without moving the
search-units
IV-560 CALIBRATION
lateral wave — sound wave that travels directly
between the transducers with a longitudinal velocity just IV-561 DAC Calibration
below the surface of the material A DAC curve shall be established using the calibration
time-of-flight — the time it takes for a sound wave to reflectors in IV-531.2. The angle beam shall be directed
travel from the transmitting transducer to the flaw, and toward the calibration reflector that yields the maximum
then to the receiving transducer response, and the instrument shall be set to obtain an
80% of full screen height indication. This shall be the
primary reference level. The search unit shall then be
APPENDIX IV — INSERVICE manipulated, without changing instrument settings, to
EXAMINATION OF BOLTS obtain the maximum responses from the other calibration
IV-510 SCOPE reflector(s) to generate a DAC curve. The calibration shall
establish both the sweep range calibration and the distance
This Appendix describes supplementary requirements amplitude correction.
to Article 5 for inservice examination of bolts.

IV-530 EQUIPMENT IV-570 EXAMINATION

IV-531 Calibration Blocks IV-571 General Examination Requirements
Calibration blocks shall be full-scale or partial-section The general examination requirements of Article 4,
bolts, which are sufficient to contain the maximum sound T-471 shall apply.

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