ASNT Level III Examination

Topical Outlines and References

For a more detailed description of topical outlines, review the topical outlines listed in ASNT's Recommended Practice
No. SNT-TC-1A. All the references listed here are available from ASNT. Note that other texts are listed as references
in SNT-TC-1A, but are not currently available from ASNT. These additional references may be found at any good
engineering or materials science library.

NDT Basic PdM Basic

Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
1. Personnel Qualification and Certification Programs 2. Personnel Qualification and Certification Programs
• SNT-TC-1A, 1996 edition • SNT-TC-1A, 1996 edition
• ASNT CP-189, 1995 edition • ASNT CP-189, 1995 edition
• ASNT Level III certification • ASNT Level III certification
2. Basics of Common NDT Methods, including: 3. Basics of Common PdM Methods, including:
• Acoustic emission testing • Infrared testing
• Electromagnetic testing • Vibration analysis
• Leak testing • Oil/lube analysis
• Liquid penetrant testing • Motor circuit analysis
• Magnetic particle testing • Alignment
• Neutron radiographic testing • Thermal testing
• Radiographic testing • System performance
• Thermal/infrared testing 4. Machinery Technology
• Ultrasonic testing • Machine design
• Visual testing • Electrical components
3. Materials, fabrication, and production technology, • Maintenance practice
including: • Machine components
• Properties of materials, origin of • Engineering mechanics
discontinuities, and failure modes • Lubrication
• Materials processing (casting, welding,
forging, brazing, soldering, machining, heat Reference Catalog Number
treatment, surface treatment, adhesive NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
nd
bonding, etc.) Special NDT Methods, 2 ed. 134
• Dimensional metrology SNT-TC-1A (1996 edition) 2055
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (1995 edition) 2505
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook: Volume Ten,
nd
NDT Overview, 2 ed. 135
Level III Study Guide: Basic 2251R
SNT-TC-1A (1996 edition) 2055
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (1995 edition) 2505
Introduction to NDT: A Training Guide 150
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology 2250
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105

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AE - Acoustic Emission Testing ET - Electromagnetic Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
1 Principles and Theory 1. Principles/Theory
• Characteristics of acoustic emission testing • Generation of eddy currents
• Materials and deformation • Effect of fields created by eddy currents
• Sources of acoustic emission (impedance changes)
• Wave propagation • Properties of eddy current
• Attenuation 2. Equipment Materials
• Kaiser and Felicity effects, and Felicity ratio • Probes
• Terminology (refer to acoustic emission • Through, encircling, or annular coils
glossary, ASTM 1316) • Factors affecting choice of sensing elements
2 Equipment and Materials • Read out selection
• Transducing processes • Instrument design considerations
• Sensors 3. Techniques/Calibrations
• Sensor attachments • Factors which affect coil impedance
• Sensor utilization • Selection of test frequency
• Simulated acoustic emission sources • Coupling
• Cables • Field strength
• Signal conditioning • Comparison of techniques
• Signal detection • Calibrations
• Signal processing • Techniques - general
• Source location 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
• Advanced signal processing • Flaw detection
• Acoustic emission test systems • Sorting for properties
• Accessory materials • Thickness gaging
• Factors affecting test equipment selection • Process control
3 Techniques • General interpretations
• Equipment calibration and set up for test 5. Procedures
• Establishing loading procedures
Reference Catalog Number
• Precautions against noise
NDT Handbook: Volume Four,
• Special test procedures nd
Electromagnetic Testing, 2 ed. 129
• Data displays Level III Study Guide: Eddy Current Testing 2257
4 Interpretation and Evaluation Fundamentals of Eddy Current Testing 470
• Data interpretation
• Data evaluation
• Reports
5 Procedures
6 Safety and Health
7 Applications
• Laboratory studies (material characterization)
• Structural applications

Reference Catalog Number

NDT Handbook: Volume Five,
nd
Acoustic Emission Testing, 2 ed. 130
Acoustic Emission: Techniques and Applications 752

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IR - Thermal/Infrared Testing • Helium mass spectrometer testing equipment
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 3. Technique/Calibration
• Bubble test
1. Principles/Theory
• Pressure change/measurement test
• Conduction
• Halogen diode detector leak test
• Convection
• Mass spectrometer leak testing
• Radiation 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
• The nature of heat and heat flow • Basic techniques and/or units
• Temperature measurement principles • Test materials and equipment effects
• Proper selection of Thermal/Infrared testing • Effects of temperature and other atmospheric
2. Equipment/Materials
conditions
• Temperature measurement equipment • Calibration for testing
• Heat flux indicators • Probing/scanning or measurement/monitoring
• Performance parameters of non-contact • Leak interpretation evaluation
devices
• Acceptance and rejection criteria
3. Techniques
5. Procedures
• Contact temperature indicators
• Leak testing procedures
• Non-contact pyrometers
• Leak testing specifications
• Infrared line scanners 6. Safety and Health
• Thermal/Infrared imaging • Safety considerations
• Heat flux indicators • Safety precautions
• Exothermic or endothermic investigations • Pressure precautions
• Friction investigations • Safety devices
• Fluid Flow investigations • Hazardous and tracer gas safety
• Thermal resistance (steady state heat flow) • Types of monitoring equipment
• Thermal capacitance investigations • Safety
4. Interpretation/Evaluation
• Exothermic or endothermic investigation Reference Catalog Number
• Friction investigations NDT Handbook: Volume One,
• Fluid flow investigations Leak Testing (Revised), 3rd ed. 141
• Differences in thermal resistance
• Thermal capacitance investigations MT - Magnetic Particle Testing
5. Procedures Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
• Existing codes and standards
• Job procedure development 1. Principles/Theory
6. Safety and health • Principles of magnets and magnetic fields
• Safety responsibility and authority • Characteristics of magnetic fields
• Safety for personnel 2. Equipment/Materials
• Safety for client and facilities • Magnetic particle test equipment
• Safety for testing equipment • Inspection materials
3. Technique/Calibrations
Reference Catalog Number • Magnetization by means if electric current
NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
nd
• Selecting the proper method of magnetization
Special NDT Methods, 2 ed. 134 • Demagnetization
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer 952 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
• Magnetic particle test indications and
LT - Leak Testing interpretations
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 • Effects of discontinuities on materials
5. Procedures
1. Principles theory
6. Safety and Health
• Physical principles in leak testing
• Principles of gas flow Reference Catalog Number
• Proper selection of LT as method of choice NDT Handbook: Volume Six,
nd
2. Equipment/Material Magnetic Particle Testing, 2 ed. 131
• Leak testing standards Level III Study Guide: Magnetic Particle
• Detector/instrument performance factors Testing (Revised) 2253R
• Vacuum pumps Principles of Magnetic Particle Testing 436
• Bubble testing practices and techniques
• Absolute pressure testing equipment
• Absolute pressure hold testing of containers
• Absolute pressure leakage rate testing of
containers
• Analysis of data for determination of accurate
results
• Halogen testing equipment
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NR - Neutron Radiographic Testing • Factor affecting indications
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 • Indications from discontinuities
• Relevant and nonrelevant indications
1. Principles/Theory
4. Procedures
• Nature of penetrating radiation 5. Safety and Health
• Interaction between penetrating radiation and • Toxicity
matter
• Flammability
• Neutron radiography imaging
• Radiometry Reference Catalog Number
2. Equipment/Materials NDT Handbook: Volume Two
• Sources of neutrons Liquid Penetrant Testing, 3rd ed. 142
• Radiation detectors Level III Study Guide: Liquid Penetrant
• Nonimaging devices Testing (Revised) 2255R
3. Techniques/Calibrations
• Blocking and filtering RT - Radiographic Testing
• Multifilm technique Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
• Enlargement and projection
1. Principles and Theory
• Stereoradiography
• Nature of penetrating radiation
• Triangulation methods
• Interaction between penetrating radiation and
• Autoradiography matter
• Flash Radiography
• Radiographic imaging
• In-motion radiography
• Radiometry
• Fluoroscopy 2. Equipment/Materials
• Electron emission radiography • Electrically generated sources
• Microradiography • Particulate radiation sources
• Laminography (tomography) • Radiation detectors
• Control of diffraction effects • Gamma
• Panoramic exposures 3. Techniques/Calibration
• Gaging • Imaging considerations
• Real time imaging • Film processing
• Image analysis techniques • Viewing of radiographs
4. Interpretation/Evaluation • Judging radiographic quality
• Image-object relationships • Exposure calculations
• Material considerations • Radiographic techniques
• Codes, standards, and specifications 4. Interpretation and Evaluation
5. Procedures • Materials processing as it affects test results
• Imaging considerations • Causes and effects of discontinuities
• Film processing • Radiographic appearance of discontinuities
• Viewing of radiographs • Nonrelevant indications
• Judging radiographic quality • Film artifacts
6. Safety and Health 5. Procedures
• Exposure hazards 6. Safety and Health
• Methods of controlling radiation exposure • Exposure hazards
• Operation and emergency procedures • Methods of controlling radiation exposure
Reference Catalog Number • Operational and emergency procedures
NDT Handbook: Volume Three, • Dosimetry and Film Badges
nd
Radiography and Radiation Testing, 2 ed. 128 • Gamma leak testing
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105 • Transportation regulations

Reference Catalog Number

PT - Liquid Penetrant Testing NDT Handbook: Volume Three,
Length: 2 hours Questions: 90 nd
Radiography and Radiation Testing, 2 ed. 128
1. Principles/Theory Level III Study Guide: Radiographic Testing 2259
• Principles of liquid penetrant process Working Safety in Gamma Radiography 232
• Theory
• Proper selection of PT as method of choice
• Liquid penetrant processing
2. Equipment/Materials
• Methods of measurement
• Lighting for liquid penetrant testing
• Materials for liquid penetrant testing
• Testing and maintenance of materials
3. Interpretation/Evaluation
• General
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UT - Ultrasonic Testing VA - Vibration Analysis
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
1. Principles/Theory 1. Principles/Theory
• Nature of sound waves • Physical Concepts
• Modes of sound wave generation • Data Presentation
• Velocity, frequency, and wavelength of sound • Sources of Vibration
waves • Correction Methods
• Attenuation of sound waves 2. Equipment
• Acoustic impedance • Sensors
• Reflection • Signal Conditioning
• Refraction and mode conversion • Instruments
• Snell’s law and critical angles • On-Line Monitoring
• Fresnel and Fraunhofer effects • Equipment Response to Environments
2. Equipment/Materials Performance Based
• Pulse/echo instrumentation 3. Techniques/Calibration
• Digital thickness instrumentation • Calibration
• Transducer operation and theory • Measurement and Techniques
• Transducer operation/manipulations • Correction Techniques
• Resonance testing equipment 4. Analysis/Evaluation
• Couplants • Data Analysis
• Calibration blocks • Data Evaluation
• Cables/connectors 5. Procedures
• Test specimen 6. Safety and Health
• Miscellaneous materials Reference Catalog Number
3. Techniques/Calibrations NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
• Contact nd
Special NDT Methods, 2 ed. 134
• Immersion The Vibration Analysis Handbook 177
• Comparison of contact and immersion
methods
• Remote monitoring
• Calibration (electronic and functional)
4. Interpretation/Evaluations
• Evaluation of base metal product forms
• Evaluation of weldments
• Evaluation of bonded structures
• Variables affecting test results
• Evaluation (general)
5. Procedures
• Specific applications
• Codes/Standards/Specifications
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook: Volume Seven,
nd
Ultrasonic Testing, 2 ed. 132
Level III Study Guide: Ultrasonic Testing 2261
Ultrasonics: Fundamentals, Technology,
Applications 341

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VT - Visual Testing • Other applications
Length: 2 hours Questions: 90 • Requirements
4. Interpretation/ Evaluation
1. Fundamentals
• Equipment including type and intensity of light
• Vision and light
• Material including the variations of surface
• Ambient conditions finish
• Test object characteristics • Discontinuity
2. Equipment Accessories
• Determination of dimensions (i.e.: depth,
• Magnifiers/microscopes width, length, etc.)
• Mirrors • Sampling/scanning
• Dimensional • Process for reporting visual discontinuities
• Borescopes • Personnel (human factors)
• Video systems • Detection
• Automated systems 5. Procedures and Documentation
• Video technologies • Hard copy
• Machine vision • Photography
• Replication • Audio/video
• Temperature sensitive markers and surface • Electronic and magnetic media
comparators 6. Safety
• Chemical aids • Electrical shock
• Photography • Mechanical hazards
• Eye • Lighting hazards
3. Techniques/Calibration
• Chemical contamination
• Diagrams and drawings • Radioactive materials
• Raw materials • Explosive environments
• Primary process materials
• Joining processes Reference Catalog Number
• Fabricated components NDT Handbook: Volume Eight,
nd
• In-service materials Visual and Optical Testing, 2 ed. 133
• Coatings Level III Study Guide: Visual and Optical Testing 2263
ASM Handbook: Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105

Question And Answer (Q & A) Books

Each Q & A book contains recommended Level I, II, and III questions and answers. An excellent way to learn
vital material and prepare yourself for testing situations.
Individual Books Catalogue Number
Radiographic Testing Method (Book A), 1996 2026
Magnetic Particle Testing Method (Book B), 1994 2027
Ultrasonic Testing Method (Book C), 1994 2028
Liquid Penetrant Testing Method (Book D), 1996 2029
Eddy Current Testing Method (Book E), 1995 2030
Neutron Radiographic Testing Method (Book F), 1994 2031
Acoustic Emission Testing Method (Book G), 1995 2032
Visual and Optical Testing Method (Book I), 1999 2034A
Leak Testing Books:
Bubble Leak Testing (Book HB), 1994 2033B
Halogen Diode Detector (Book HH), 1994 2033H
Mass Spectrometer Leak Testing (Book HM), 1996 2033M
Pressure Change Measurement Testing (Book HP), 1994 2033P

Packages
All four leak testing methods 2033A
Any two leak testing methods 2033C
Complete Set of Q&A books, plus Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC1A, 1996 Edition 2180

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

1711 Arlingate Lane • PO Box 28518 • Columbus, OH 43228-0518
Phone: (614) 274-6003 • (800) 222-2768 • FAX: (614) 274-6899
Order books online at www.asnt.org.

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