BS EN ISO 13588:2019 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 13588:2019. It
supersedes BS EN ISO 13588:2012, which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee WEE/2, Destructive Testing of Welds.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2019
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2019
ISBN 978 0 580 96755 9
ICS 25.160.40
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 March 2019.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
BS EN ISO 13588:2019
EN ISO 13588:2019 (E)

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 13588:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 44 "Welding
and allied processes" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 121 “Welding and allied
processes” the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2019, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by September 2019.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN ISO 13588:2012.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 13588:2019 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 13588:2019 without any modification.

3
 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Contents Page

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 Normative references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

4 Testing levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

5 Information required prior to testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.1 Items to be defined prior to procedure development ........................................................................................... 4
5.2 Specific in formation required by the operator be fore testing ....................................................................... 4
5 .3 Wri tte n te s t p ro ce d u re . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6 Requirements for personnel and test equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6.1 Personnel qualifications ................................................................................................................................................................. 5

6.2 Test equipment ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

6.2.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

6.2.2 Ultrasonic instrument ........................................................................................................................................... ...... 6

6.2.3 Ultrasonic probes ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

6.2.4 Scanning mechanisms ........................................................................................................................................... ...... 6

7 Preparation for testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

7.1 Volume to be tested ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

7.2 Verification o f the test setup ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

7.3 Scan increment setting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

7.4 Geometry considerations ............................................................................................................................................................... 7

7.5 Preparation o f scanning surfaces ............................................................................................................................................ 7
7.6 Temperature .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
7.7 Couplant ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
8 Testing of base material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

9 Range and sensitivity settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

9.1 S e tti n gs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

9.1.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

9.1.2 Pulse-echo time window ........................................................................................................................................... 8

9.1.3 Pulse-echo sensitivity settings ............................................................................................................................. 8

9.1.4 TOFD settings ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8

9.2 C h e cki n g o f th e s e tti n gs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

9.3 Re fe re n ce b l o cks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

9.3.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

9.3.2 Material .................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

9.3.3 Dimensions and shape ........................................................................................................................................... ..... 9

9.3.4 Re ference reflectors ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

10 Equipment checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

11 Procedure qualification ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

12 Weld testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

13 Data storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

14 Interpretation and analysis of phased array data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

14.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

14.2 Assessing the quality o f the phased array data ........................................................................................................ 11

14.3 Identification o f relevant indications ............................................................................................................................... 11

14.4 Classification o f relevant indications ................................................................................................................................ 11

14.5 Determination o f location .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

14.6 Determination o f length and height ................................................................................................................................... 12

14.6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

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1 4. 6. 2 D e te rm i n ati o n o f l e n gth ......................................................................................................................................... 12

1 4. 6. 3 D e te rm i n ati o n o f h e i gh t ......................................................................................................................................... 12

1 4. 7 E val u ati o n agai n s t acce p tan ce cri te ri a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

15 Test report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

Annex A (i n fo rm ative ) T yp i c a l re f e re n c e b l o c ks a n d r e f e re n c e re fl e c to r s ............................................................... 15

Annex B (i n fo rm ative ) Illustrations of possible signals to be used ................................................................................... 20

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

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Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation o f national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work o f preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters o f
electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the di fferent approval criteria needed for the
di fferent types o f ISO documents should be noted. This document was dra fted in accordance with the
editorial rules o f the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see w w w. i s o . o r g/d i re c ti ve s) .

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some o f the elements o f this document may be the subject o f
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identi fying any or all such patent rights. Details o f
any patent rights identified during the development o f the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list o f patent declarations received (see .org/patentsw w w. i s o ).

Any trade name used in this document is in formation given for the convenience o f users and does not
constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation o f the voluntary nature o f standards, the meaning o f ISO specific terms and
expressions related to con formity assessment, as well as in formation about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see w w w. i s o

. o r g/i s o/fo re wo rd . h tm l .

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 44, Welding and allied processes,
Subcommittee SC 5, Testing and inspection ofwelds .

Any feedback, question or request for o fficial interpretation related to any aspect o f this document
should be directed to the Secretariat o f ISO/TC 44/SC 5 via your national standards body. A complete
listing o f these bodies can be found at . O fficial interpretations, where they
w w w. i s o . o rg/m e m b e r s . h tm l

exist, are available from this page: .org/sites/tc44/home/interpretation

h t tp s : //c o m m i t te e . i s o . htm l .

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 13588:2012), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:

— Clauses 2 and 3 have been updated;

— a method o f length and height measurement has been added;

— ne w Annex B has been added;

— the document has been editorially updated.

© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d v
BS EN ISO 13588:2019
 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing —

Use of automated phased array technology

1 Scope

This document specifies the application o f the phased array technology for the semi- or fully automated
ultrasonic testing o f fusion-welded joints in metallic materials o f minimum thickness 6 mm. It applies
to full penetration welded joints o f simple geometry in plates, pipes, and vessels, where both the weld
and the parent material are low-alloy and/or fine grained steel. For the testing o f welds in other steel
materials this document gives guidance. For coarse-grained or austenitic steels, ISO 22825 applies in
addition to this document.

This document provides guidance on the specific capabilities and limitations o f the phased array
technology for the detection, location, sizing and characterization o f discontinuities in fusion-welded
joints. Phased array technology can be used as a stand-alone technology or in combination with other
non-destructive testing (NDT) methods or techniques, for manu facturing inspection, pre-service and
fo r i n- s e r v i c e i n s p e c tio n .

This document specifies four testing levels, each corresponding to a di fferent probability o f detection o f
i mp e r fe c tio n s .

This document permits assessment o f discontinuities for acceptance purposes based either on
amplitude (equivalent reflector size) and length, or on height and length.

This document does not include acceptance levels for discontinuities.

This document is not applicable for automated testing o f welds during the production o f steel products
covered by ISO 10893-8, ISO 10893-11 and ISO 3183.

2 Normative references

The following documents are re ferred to in the text in such a way that some or all o f their content
constitutes requirements o f this document. For dated re ferences, only the edition cited applies. For
undated re ferences, the latest edition o f the re ferenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 5577, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Vocabulary

ISO 5817, Welding — Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) — Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 9712, Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
ISO 17640, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Techniques, testing levels, and
assessment
ISO 10863, Non-destructive testing o f welds — Ultrasonic testing — Use o f time-o f-flight diffraction
technique (TOFD)
ISO 18563-1, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification o f ultrasonic phased array
equipment – Part 1: Instruments
ISO 18563-2, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic phased array
equipment — Part 2: Probes
ISO 18563-3, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic phased array
equipment — Part 3: Combined systems
© I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d 1
BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

ISO 19285, Non-destructive testing of welds — Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) — Acceptance levels

ISO 22825, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Testing of welds in austenitic steels
and nickel-based alloys

EN 16018, Non-destructive testing — Terminology — Terms used in ultrasonic testing with phased arrays

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes o f this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 5577, EN 16018 and the
followingapply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at h t tp s : //w w w. i s o . o r g/o b p

— IEC Electropedia: available at .electropedia

ht tp : //w w w . o rg/

3 .1
phased array image
one- or two-dimensional display, constructed from the collected in formation o f phased array operation

3.2
indication
phased array indication
pattern or disturbance in the phased array image (3 . 1 ) which can need further evaluation

3.3
phased array setup
probe arrangement defined by probe characteristics (e.g. frequency, probe element size, beam angle,
wave mode), probe position 3.4), and the number o f probes
(

3 .4
probe position
PP
distance between the front o f the wedge and the weld centre line

3.5
scan increment
distance between successive data collection points in the direction o f scanning (mechanically or
electronically)

3 .6
skewed scan
scan per formed with a skewed angle

Note 1 to entry: The skewed angle can be achieved electronically or by means o f probe orientation.

3 .7
mode
phased array mode
combination o f ultrasonic beams created by phased array technology, e.g. fixed angle, E-scan, S-scan

4 Testing levels

Quality requirements for welded joints are mainly associated with the material, welding process and
service conditions. To comply with all o f these requirements, this document specifies four testing levels
(A, B, C and D).

2 © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

e) ti me o f te s ti n g re l ati ve to a ny p o s t- we l d he at tre atme n t;

f) re s u l t o f a ny p a re nt m e ta l te s ti n g c a r r i e d o u t p r i o r to a n d/o r a fte r we l d i n g.

5 .3 Written test procedure

Fo r a l l te s ti n g l e ve l s , a w r i t te n te s t p ro c e du re i s re qu i re d .

T he p ro c e du re s h a l l i nc l ude the fo l l o w i n g in fo r m ati o n a s a m i n i mu m :

a) p u r p o s e a nd e x te n t o f te s ti n g ;

b) te s ti n g te c h n i que s ;

c) te s ti n g l e ve l s ;

d) p e r s o n ne l qu a l i fi c ati o n/tra i n i n g re qu i re me n ts ;

e) e qu ip me n t re qu i re me n ts (i nc lud i n g b ut no t l i m i te d to fre que nc y, s a mp l i n g rate , p i tc h b e t we e n

e l e me n ts , e l e me n t s i z e) ;

f) re fe re nc e a nd/o r te s t b l o c ks ;

g) s e t ti n g o f e qu ip m e nt;

h) ava i l ab l e ac c e s s a n d s u r fac e c o nd i ti o n s ;

i) te s ti n g o f p a re n t m ate r i a l ;

j) e va l u atio n o f i n d ic atio n s ;

k) ac c e p ta nc e l e ve l s a nd/o r re c o rd i n g l e ve l s ;

l) re p o r ti n g re qu i re m e nt s ;

m) e nv i ro n me nt a l a nd s a fe t y i s s ue s .

T he p ro c e du re s h a l l i nc lude a do c u me n te d te s ti n g s tr ate g y o r s c a n p l a n s ho w i n g p ro b e p o s i tio n , p ro b e

mo ve me n t, a n d c o mp o ne n t c o ve r a ge th at p ro v i de s a s ta n d a rd i z e d a nd re p e atab l e me tho do l o g y fo r we l d
te s ti n g. T he s c a n p l a n s h a l l a l s o i nc l ude u l tr a s o n ic b e a m a n gl e s used, b e a m d i re c tio n s w i th re s p e c t to

the we l d c e n tre l i ne , a nd the vo l u me to b e te s te d fo r e ac h we l d .

6 Requirements for personnel and test equipment

6 . 1 P e r s o n n e l q u a l i fi c a ti o n s

Pe r s o n ne l p er fo r m i n g te s ti n g in ac c o rd a nc e w i th th i s do c u m e nt shal l be qu a l i fi e d to an ap p ro p r i ate

l e ve l i n ac c o rd a nc e w i th I S O 9 71 2 o r e qu i va l e n t i n the re l e va n t i ndu s tr i a l s e c to r.

In add i tio n to ge ne r a l kno wl e d ge o f u l tra s o n ic we l d te s ti n g , the o p e rato r s shal l be fa m i l i a r w i th , a nd

h ave p r ac ti c a l e x p e r ie nc e in, the use o f u l tra s o n i c p h a s e d a r rays . S p e c i fic tra i n i n g a nd e x a m i n ati o n o f

p e r s o n ne l s ho u l d b e p e r fo r me d o n re p re s e nt ati ve p ie c e s . T he s e tr a i n i n g a n d e x a m i n atio n re s u l ts s ho u l d

be do c u me n te d . I f th i s is no t the case, s p e c i fic tra i n i n g a nd e x a m i n atio n s ho u l d be p er fo r m e d w i th

the fi n a l i z e d u l tra s o n ic te s ti n g p ro c e du re s a nd s e l e c te d u l tr a s o n ic te s t e qu i p me nt on re p re s e n t ati ve

s a mp l e s conta i n i ng n atu ra l or a r ti fic i a l re fl e c to r s similar to tho s e e x p e c te d . T he s e tra i n i n g a nd

e x a m i n atio n re s u l t s s ho u l d b e do c u me n te d .

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BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

6.2 Test equipment

6.2 .1 General

In selecting the system components (hardware and so ftware), ISO/TS 16829 gives use ful in formation.

Ultrasonic equipment used for phased array testing shall be in accordance with the requirements o f
ISO 18563-1, ISO 18563-2, and ISO 18563-3 when applicable.

6.2 .2 Ultrasonic instrument

The instrument shall be able to select an appropriate portion o f the time base within which A-scans are
d i g i ti z e d .

It is recommended that a sampling rate o f the A-scan be used o f at least six times the nominal probe
frequency.

6.2 .3 Ultrasonic probes

Both longitudinal and shear waves may be used.

Adaptation o f probes to curved scanning sur faces shall comply with ISO 17640. When adapted probes
are used, the influence on the sound beam shall be taken into account.

The number o f dead elements on each active aperture shall be a maximum o f 1 out o f 16 and dead
elements are not allowed to be adjacent. For active apertures using less than 16 elements, no dead
element is allowed, unless adequate per formance is demonstrated.

6.2 .4 Scanning mechanisms

To achieve consistency o f the images (collected data), guiding mechanisms and scan encoder(s) shall
be used.

7 Preparation for testing

7.1 Volume to be tested

The purpose o f the testing shall be defined by specification. Based on this, the volume to be tested shall
b e de te r m i ne d .

For tests at the manu facturing stage, the testing volume shall include the weld and the parent material
for at least 10 mm on each side o f the weld (5 mm for laser welds and for electron beam welds), or the
width o f the heat-a ffected zone (based on the manu facturer's in formation), whichever is greater.

A scan plan should be provided. The scan plan should show the beam coverage, the weld thickness and
the weld geometry.

It shall be ensured that the sound beam(s) cover(s) the volume to be tested.

7 . 2 Ve r i fi c a ti o n o f
th e te s t s e tu p

The capability o f the test setup shall be verified by the use o f re ference blocks (see 9. 3 ) .

7.3 Scan increment setting

The scan increment setting along the weld is dependent upon the wall thickness to be tested. For
thicknesses up to 10 mm, the scan increment shall be no more than 1 mm. For thicknesses between

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 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
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10 mm and 150 mm, the scan increment shall be no more than 2 mm. Above 150 mm, a scan increment
o f no more than 3 mm is recommended.

The scan increment setting perpendicular to the weld when applicable shall be chosen in order to
ensure the coverage o f the test volume.

When TOFD is used, the scan increment shall be in accordance with ISO 10863.

7.4 Geometry considerations

Care should be taken when testing welds o f complex geometry, e.g. welds joining materials o f unequal
thickness, materials that are joined at an angle or nozzles. These tests should be planned care fully and
require in-depth knowledge o f sound propagation. These tests shall always be carried out under testing
level D, unless single-sided testing is allowed according to Table 2 .

For level D tests scan plan(s), representative re ference block(s), and a per formance demonstration are
mandatory (see Annex A ).

NOTE In some cases, the number o f re ference blocks can be reduced by the use o f simulation programs.

7.5 Preparation of scanning surfaces

Scanning sur faces shall be clean in an area wide enough to permit the test volume to be fully covered.

Scanning sur faces shall be even and free from foreign matter likely to inter fere with probe coupling
(e.g. rust, loose scale, weld spatter, notches, grooves). Waviness o f the test sur face shall not result in a
gap between a probe and the test sur face greater than 0,5 mm. These requirements shall be ensured by
dressing the scanning sur face, i f necessary.

Scanning sur faces may be assumed to be satis factory i f the sur face roughness, Ra , is not greater than
6,3 µm for machined sur faces, or not greater than 12,5 µm for shot-blasted sur faces.

When a layer o f di fferent material, e.g. coating, paint, cladding, is present on the scanning sur face and is
not to be removed, testing level D is applicable.

7.6 Temperature

When not using special high-temperature phased array probes and couplants, the sur face temperature
o f the object to be tested shall be in the range 0 °C to 50 °C.

For temperatures outside this range, the suitability o f the test equipment shall be verified.

7.7 Couplant

In order to generate proper images, a couplant shall be used which provides a constant transmission o f
ultrasound between the probes and the test object.

The couplant used for the calibration shall be the same as that used in subsequent testing and post-
calibrations.

8 Testing of base material

When the test is per formed according to this document, a test for the detection o f laminations shall be
per formed. This may be carried out as part o f the test or independently o f it.

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9 Range and sensitivity settings

9.1 Settings

9.1 .1 General

S e t ti n g o f ra n ge a n d s e n s i ti v i t y s h a l l b e c a r r ie d o u t p r i o r to e ac h te s t i n ac c o rd a nc e w i th th i s do c u me n t.

A ny c h a n ge o f the p h a s e d a r r ay s e tup , e . g. p ro b e p o s i ti o n ( PP) a n d s te e r i n g p a ra m e te r s , re qu i re s a ne w

s e t ti n g.

S i g n a l- to - no i s e r ati o s ho u l d be o p ti m i z e d w i th a m i n i mu m o f 12 dB fo r the re fe re nc e s ignal s , whe n

u s i n g A- s c a n s , o r w i th a m i n i mu m o f6 d B whe n u s i n g p h a s e d- a r r ay i m a ge s .

9.1 .2 Pulse-echo time window

I f ap p l i c ab l e , the ti me w i n do w u s e d fo r p u l s e - e c ho s ignal s shall i nc l ude the vo l u m e o f i n te re s t a nd be

de s c r i b e d i n the w r i t te n te s t p ro c e du re .

E n s u re th at the c o m b i n atio n o f b eams c o ve r s the a re a o f i n te re s t.

9.1 .3 Pulse-echo sensitivity settings

9.1 .3 .1 General

A fte r s e l e c tio n o f the mo de (fi xe d a n g l e , E - s c a n , S - s c a n) the fo l l o w i n g s h a l l b e c a r r i e d o u t:

a) the te s t s e n s i ti v i t y s h a l l b e s e t fo r e ac h b e a m ge ne rate d (e . g. b e a m a n gl e , fo c a l p o i n t) b y the p h a s e d

a r ray p ro b e ;

b) whe n a p ro b e w i th we d ge i s u s e d , the s e n s i ti v i t y s h a l l b e s e t w i th the we d ge i n p l ac e .

9.1 .3 .2 Focusing

Di ffe re n t mo de s o f fo c u s i n g can be ap p l i e d w i th phased a r ray p ro b e s , e . g. s t atic a nd dyn am ic de p th

fo c u s i n g ( D D F ) .

W he n fo c u s i n g i s u s e d , the s e n s i ti v i t y s h a l l b e s e t fo r e ac h fo c u s e d beam.

9.1 .3 .3 Gain corrections

T he u s e o f a n gl e - c o r re c te d ga i n (AC G ) a nd ti me - c o r re c te d ga i n ( T C G ) e n ab l e s the d i s p l ay o f s i g n a l s fo r
a l l b e a m a n g l e s a nd a l l d i s ta nc e s w i th the s a me a mp l i tude .

9.1 .3 .4 Sensitivity settings for different modes of phased array testing

Fo r we l d te s ti n g , di ffe re nt mo de s c a n b e ap p l ie d , e . g. fi xe d a n gl e s , E-scans, S - scans . A fte r the p re v io u s

s te p s , the re fe re nc e s e n s i ti v i t y fo r e ac h b e a m ge ne r ate d s h a l l be s e t ac c o rd i n g to ISO 176 4 0 , i nc l ud i n g

tra n s fe r c o r re c ti o n i f ap p l i c ab l e .

9.1 .4 TOFD settings

I f TOFD te s ti n g i s p e r fo r me d , a l l s e t ti n gs s h a l l c o mp l y w i th the re qu i re me n ts s p e c i fie d i n I S O 1 0 8 6 3 .

9.2 Checking of the settings

S e t ti n gs shall be c he c ke d at l e a s t e ve r y 4 h a nd a fte r c o mp l e ti o n o f the te s ti n g. I f the s i n gl e te s t ta ke s

mo re th a n 4 h , the s e t ti n gs s h a l l b e c he c ke d a fte r c o mp l e tio n o f the te s t.

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1 3 Data storage

T he u l tra s o n ic te s ti n g s h a l l be p er fo r me d us ing a de v ic e e mp l o y i n g c o mp u te r- b a s e d d at a ac qu i s i tio n .

Al l A- s c a n d ata c o ve r i n g the te s t a re a s h a l l be s to re d a n d a l l d ata s e t s w i th s e tup p a ra me te r s shall be

i nc lude d i n the d ata re c o rd .

A l l d at a s h a l l b e s to re d fo r a p e r i o d a s s p e c i fi e d .

1 4 Interpretation and analysis of phased array data

1 4.1 General

I n te r p re tati o n a n d a n a l ys i s o f phase d a r ray d at a a re t y p ic a l l y p e r fo r me d as fo l l o ws :

a) a s s e s s the qu a l i t y o f the p h a s e d a r ray d ata;

b) i de n ti fy re l e va nt i n d ic atio n s ;

c) clas s i fy re l e va n t d i s c o nti nu i ti e s a s s p e c i fi e d ;

d) de te r m i ne l o c atio n a nd s i z e o f the d i s c o nti nu i ti e s a s s p e c i fi e d;

e) e va l u ate the d ata a ga i n s t ac c e p t a nc e c r i te r i a .

1 4.2 Assessing the quality of the phased array data

A phased a r ray te s t shal l be c a r r ie d o ut s uc h th at s ati s fac to r y i m a ge s a re ge ne rate d wh ic h can be

e va l u ate d w i th c o n fide nc e . S ati s fac to r y i m a ge s a re de fi ne d b y ap p ro p r i ate :

a) c o up l i n g ;

b) ti me - b a s e s e t ti n g ;

c) s e n s i ti v i t y s e t ti n g ;

d) s i g n a l- to - no i s e ratio ;

e) i nd ic atio n o f s atu ratio n ;

f) d ata ac qu i s i tio n .

A s s e s s i n g the qu a l i t y o f phased a r r ay i m a ge s re qu i re s s ki l l e d a nd e x p e r ie nc e d o p e rato r s (s e e 6 .1) . T he

o p e rato r s h a l l de c ide whe the r no n- s ati s fac to r y i m a ge s re qu i re ne w d at a ac qu i s i ti o n (re - s c a n n i n g) .

14.3 Identification o f relevant indications

T he phased a r r ay te c h n i q u e i m a ge s b o th d i s c o n t i nu i t i e s in the we l d a nd ge o m e t r i c fe a t u r e s o f the

te s t o b j e c t .

In o rde r to d i s ti n g u i s h b e t we e n i nd i c ati o n s a nd ge o me tr i c fe atu re s , de t a i l e d kno wl e d ge o f the te s t

o b j e c t i s ne c e s s a r y.

To d e c i de wh e th e r an i n d i c a ti o n is re l e va n t (c au s e d by a d i s c o n ti nu i t y) , p at te r n s or d i s t u rb a n c e s in

the p h a s e d a r r ay i m a ge s h a l l b e e va l u a te d c o n s i d e r i n g s h ap e a n d s i g n a l a m p l i t u de re l at i ve to ge ne r a l

n o i s e l e ve l .

14.4 Classification o f relevant indications

A mp l i tude , l o c ati o n a nd p at te r n o f re l e va n t i n d ic ati o n s can c o nt a i n in fo r m atio n on the typ e o f the

d i s c o n ti nu i t y.

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BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Relevant indications shall be classified as specified.

1 4.5 Determination of location

The location o f a discontinuity parallel to the weld axis, perpendicular to the weld axis and in the
through-wall direction shall be determined from the related indication.

1 4.6 Determination of length and height

1 4.6.1 General

The length and height o f a discontinuity are determined by the length and height o f its indication.

1 4.6.2 Determination of length

The length is defined by the di fference o f the x-coordinates o f the indication. The length o f an indication
shall be measured as described in ISO 11666. I f TOFD is used the length o f an indication shall be
measured as described in ISO 15626.

Alternative techniques for measuring indication length may be used when specified.

1 4.6.3 Determination of height

1 4.6.3 .1 General

The height is defined as the maximum di fference o f the z-coordinates. For indications displaying
varying height along their length, the height shall be determined at the scan position o f maximum
extent. Examples are given in Figures B.1 B.4
to .

1 4.6.3 .2 Using diffracted signals

I f di ffracted signals are identified they shall be used to determine height. The height is determined using:

— 2 di ffracted signals identified from the same discontinuity (upper and lower tip);

— 1 di ffracted signal and a sur face signal identified from the same discontinuity;

— 1 di ffracted signal and the known wall thickness for root connected indications; or

— 1 di ffracted signal in relation to the sur face for sur face breaking discontinuity.

Annex B shows illustrations o f these 4 cases o f possible di ffracted signals to be used.

I f TOFD is used, the height shall be measured as described in ISO 15626.

1 4.6.3 .3 Using amplitude-based and other signals

The determination can be based on:

— amplitudes using the re ference levels as described in ISO 11666. Other sizing techniques may be
used (TCG, DGS, 6 dB drop);

— the time o f flight o f reflections (e.g. hollow root, mismatch);

— time o f flight o f mode converted signals.

12 © I S O 2 0 1 9 – Al l ri gh ts re s e rve d
 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
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1 4.7 Evaluation against acceptance criteria

A fter classification o f all relevant indications, determination o f their location and length, and a fter
assessment, the discontinuities shall be evaluated against the acceptance criteria o f ISO 19285, i f not
specified di fferently by the contracting parties.

The discontinuities can then be categorized as “acceptable” or “not acceptable”.

1 5 Test report

The test report shall include at least the following in formation:

a) a re ference to this document, i.e. ISO 13588;

b) in formation relating to the object under test:

1) identification o f the test object;

2) dimensions including wall thickness;

3) material type and product form;

4) geometrical configuration;

5) location o f the tested welded joint(s);

6) re ference to welding process and heat treatment;

7) sur face condition and temperature o f the test object;

8) stage o f manu facture o f the test object;

c) in formation relating to the test equipment:

1) manu facturer and type o f the phased array instrument including scanning mechanisms with
identification numbers i f required;

2) manu facturer, type, frequency o f the phased array probes including number and size o f
elements, material and angle(s) o f wedges with identification numbers i f required;

3) details o f the re ference block(s) with identification numbers i f required;

4) type o f couplant used;

d) in formation relating to the test technology:

1) testing level and re ference to a written test procedure;

2) purpose and extent o f test;

3) details o f datum and coordinate systems;

4) method and values used for range and sensitivity settings;

5) details o f signal processing and scan increment setting;

6) scan plan;

7) access limitations and deviations from this document; i f any;

e) in formation relating to the phased array setting:

1) increment (E-scans) or angular increment (S-scans);

© ISO 2 019 – All rights reserved 13

BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

2) element pitch and gap dimensions;

3) focus (calibration should be the same as for scanning);

4) virtual aperture size, i.e. number o f elements and element width;

5) element numbers used for focal laws;

6) maximum deviation o f the beam direction from the normal to the weld bevel;

7) documentation on permitted wedge angular range, specified by the manu facturer;

8) documented calibration, time-corrected gain (TCG) and angle-corrected gain (ACG);

f) in formation relating to the test results:

1) re ference to the phased array raw data file(s),

2) phased array images o f at least those locations where relevant discontinuities have been
detected on hard copy, all images or data available in so ft format;

3) acceptance criteria applied;

4) tabulated data recording the classification, location and size o f relevant discontinuities and the
results o f evaluation;

5) re ference points and details o f the coordinate system;

6) date o f test;

7) names, signatures and qualification o f the test personnel.

14 © ISO 201 9 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

a s the o b j e c t to b e te s te d . T he s e s p e c i a l b l o c ks s h a l l b e u s e d i n add i tio n to the te s t b l o c ks de s c r ib e d fo r

te s ti n g l e ve l s B a nd C .

© ISO 2 019 – All rights reserved 19

 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Key

1 d i s p l ay o f th e di ffracte d s i gn al s o f th e u p p e r ti p 3 d i s p l ay o f th e d i ffracte d s i gn al s o f th e l o we r ti p wi th i n

wi th i n h al f s ki p full skip
2 d i s p l ay o f th e di ffracte d s i gn al s o f th e l o we r ti p 4 d i s p l ay o f th e di ffracte d s i gn al s o f th e u p p e r ti p wi th i n

wi th i n h al f s ki p full skip
h m e as u re d h e i gh t

Figure B . 2 — Sectorial scan image of an embedded discontinuity

T he i de n ti fie d d i ffrac te d s i g n a l s a re s e l e c te d (3 a nd 4) . T he c u r s o r s a re s e t at the m a x i mu m a mp l i tude

c o r re s p o nd i n g to the d i ffrac te d s igna ls . T he me a s u re d he i gh t, h , i s de te r m i ne d a s the d i ffe re nc e o f the

z - c o o rd i n ate s .

© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 21

 BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Key

1 d i s p l ay o f th e re fl e cte d s i gn al s o f th e co rn e r at fu l l 2 d i s p l ay o f th e d i ffracte d s i gn al s o f th e l o we r ti p wi th i n

skip full skip

h m e as u re d h e i gh t

Figure B .4 — Sectorial scan image of a surface-breaking discontinuity

T he c u rs ors a re set at the m a x i mu m a mp l i tude c o r re s p o n d i n g to e ac h s ignal . T he he i gh t o f the

d i s c o n ti nu i t y, h , i s de te r m i ne d fro m the d i ffe re nc e o f the z - c o o rd i n ate s .

© ISO 2 019 – All rights reserved 23

BS EN ISO 13588:2019
ISO 1 3 5 88: 2 01 9(E)

Bibliography

[1] ISO 3183, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems

[2] ISO 10893-8, Non-destructive testing of steel tubes — Part 8: Automated ultrasonic testing of
seamless and welded steel tubes for the detection of laminar imperfections

[3] ISO 10893-11, Non-destructive testing of steel tubes — Part 11: Automated ultrasonic testing of the
weld seam of welded steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal and/or transverse imperfections

[4] ISO 11666, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Acceptance levels

[5] ISO 15626, Non-destructive testing of welds — Time-of-flight diffraction technique (TOFD) —
Acceptance levels

[6] ISO 16810, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — General principles

[7] ISO 16811, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Sensitivity and range setting

[8] ISO/TS 16829, Non-destructive testing — Automated ultrasonic testing — Selection and application
of systems

[9] ISO 17635, Non-destructive testing of welds — General rules for metallic materials

24 © ISO 201 9 – All rights reserved

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