Designation: E1004 − 09

Standard Test Method for

Determining Electrical Conductivity Using the
Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Method 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1004; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
electrical conductivity of nonmagnetic metals using the elec- B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
tromagnetic (eddy-current) method. The procedure has been Materials
written primarily for use with commercially available direct E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
reading electrical conductivity instruments. General purpose E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
eddy-current instruments may also be used for electrical Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
conductivity measurements but will not be addressed in this Lot or Process
test method. E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
Testing
1.2 This test method is applicable to metals that have either E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
a flat or slightly curved surface and includes metals with or 2.2 ASNT Documents:
without a thin nonconductive coating. Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A for Personnel Qualifi-
1.3 Eddy-current determinations of electrical conductivity cation and Certification In Nondestructive Testing3
may be used in the sorting of metals with respect to variables ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
such as type of alloy, aging, cold deformation, heat treatment, cation of NDT Personnel3
effects associated with non-uniform heating or overheating, 2.3 AIA Document:
and effects of corrosion. The usefulness of the examinations of NAS–410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
these properties is dependent on the amount of electrical Testing Personnel4
conductivity change caused by a change in the specific 3. Terminology
variable. 3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms relating to eddy-
1.4 Electrical conductivity, when evaluated with eddy- current examination are given in Terminology E1316.
current instruments, is usually expressed as a percentage of the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
conductivity of the International Annealed Copper Standard 3.2.1 temperature coeffıcient—the fractional or percentage
(IACS). The conductivity of the Annealed Copper Standard is change in electrical conductivity per degree Celsius change in
defined to be 0.58 × 108 S/m (100 % IACS) at 20°C. temperature.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are regarded as standard. 4. Significance and Use
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 Absolute probe coil methods, when used in conjunction
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the with reference standards of known value, provide a means for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- determining the electrical conductivity of nonmagnetic mate-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- rials.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on the ASTM website.
3
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
Electromagnetic Method. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
4
Current edition approved May 15, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1004 - 02. DOI: Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
10.1520/E1004-09.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E1004 − 09
4.2 Electrical conductivity of a sample can be used as a 7. Variables Influencing Accuracy
means of determining: (1) type of metal or alloy, (2) type of 7.1 Consider the influence of the following variables to
heat treatment (for aluminum this evaluation should be used in ensure an accurate evaluation of electrical conductivity.
conjunction with a hardness examination), (3) aging of the
7.1.1 Temperature—The instrument, probe, reference
alloy, (4) effects of corrosion, and (5) heat damage.
standards, and parts being examined shall be stabilized at
ambient temperature prior to conductivity evaluation. When
5. Limitations possible, examinations should be performed at room tempera-
5.1 The ability to accomplish the examinations included in ture (typically 68 6 15°F).
4.2 is dependent on the conductivity change caused by the 7.1.2 Probe Coil to Metal Coupling—Variations in the
variable of interest. If the conductivity is a strong function of separation between the probe coil and the surface of the sample
the variable of interest, these examinations can be very (lift-off) can cause large changes in the instrument output
accurate. In some cases, however, changes in conductivity due signal. Instruments vary widely in sensitivity due to lift-off,
to changes in the variable of interest may be too small to detect. and some have adjustments for minimizing it. Standardize the
The ability to isolate the variable of interest from other instrument with values at least as large as the known lift-off.
variables is also important. For example, if the alloy is not Surface curvature may also affect the coupling. (Consult the
known, the heat treatment cannot be determined from conduc- manufacturer’s manual for limitations on lift-off and surface
tivity alone. curvature).
5.2 The curve relating temper and conductivity of an alu- 7.1.3 Edge Effect—Tests should not be performed within
minum alloy should be known before attempting to interpret two coil diameters of any discontinuity, such as an edge, hole,
conductivity measurements. For example, knowing alloy and or notch unless coil manufacturer’s instructions allow. Consult
heat treatment, the adequacy of the heat treatment can be manufacturer’s instructions to determine equipment limitations
estimated. for inspection adjacent to any discontinuity. If no information
regarding probe use restrictions or limitations adjacent to such
6. Basis of Application discontinuities exist, examinations should not be performed
within two coil diameters of any discontinuity.
6.1 Personnel Qualification:
7.1.4 Uniformity of Sample—Variations in material proper-
6.1.1 If specified by the contractual agreement, personnel
ties are common and can be quite large. Discontinuities or
performing examinations to this test method shall be qualified
inhomogeneities in the metal near the position of the probe coil
in accordance with a nationally or internationally recognized
will change the value of the measured conductivity.
NDT personnel qualification standard such as ANSI/ASNT-
CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, or a similar document and NOTE 1—Similar materials from various manufacturing methods
certified by the employer or certifying agency, as applicable. (extrusion, forging, casting, rolling, machined vs. unmachined) may
The practice of the standard used and its applicable revision exhibit significant conductivity variation between processes.
shall be specified in the contractual agreement between the 7.1.5 Surface Conditions—Surface treatments and rough-
using parties. ness can affect the measured conductivity value of a material.
6.1.2 Qualification and certification for personnel may be Cladding also has a pronounced effect on conductivity readings
reduced when the following conditions are met: as compared to the base metal values. Procedures for deter-
6.1.2.1 The examination will be limited to operating mining the electrical conductivity of clad materials are not
equipment, which displays the results in percent IACS. addressed in this test method. The sample surface should be
6.1.2.2 A specific procedure is used that is approved by a clean and free of grease.
certified Level III in accordance with 6.1.1. 7.1.6 Instrument Stability—Instrument drift, noise, and non-
6.1.2.3 Documentation of training and examination is per- linearities can cause inaccuracies in the measurement.
formed to ensure that personnel are qualified. Qualified per- 7.1.7 Nonunique Conductivity Values—It should be noted
sonnel are those who have demonstrated, by passing written that two different alloys can have the same conductivity. Thus,
and practical proficiency tests, that they possess the skills and in some cases, a measurement of conductivity may not
job knowledge necessary to ensure acceptable workmanship. uniquely characterize an alloy. Overheated parts and some
6.2 Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies—If heat-treated aluminum alloys are examples of materials that
specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be may have identical conductivity values for different heat
qualified and evaluated as described in Practice E543. The treatments or tempers.
applicable edition of Practice E543 shall be specified in the 7.1.8 Sample Thickness—Eddy-current density decreases
contractual agreement. exponentially with depth (that is, distance from the metal
surface). The depth at which the density is approximately 37 %
6.3 The following additional items are subject to contractual
(1/e) of its value at the surface is called the standard depth of
agreement between the parties using or referencing this test
penetration d. Calculate the standard depth of penetration for
method.
nonmagnetic materials using one of the following formulas:
6.3.1 Timing of Examination
6.3.2 Extent of Examination 503.3
d5 ~ m ! , s 5 1/r (1)
6.3.3 Reporting Criteria/Acceptance Criteria =fs
6.3.4 Reexamination of Repaired/Reworked Items

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 E1004 − 09
K Verify the standardization of the conductivity meter at periodic
d5 ~ cm! , K.50, µ r 5 1 (2)
intervals (see Section 10).
=~ 1/r ! fµ r
9.1.1 The instrument, probe, and reference standards shall
1 be standardized while maintaining the temperature within 5°F
d5 ~ m ! , µ 5 µ o µ r , µ o 5 4p 3 1027 , µ r 5 1 (3) of the ambient temperature. It is desirable to perform the
=pµsf standardization at room temperature (typically 70 6 15°F).
where: 9.1.2 Instruments with two standardization adjustments
s = electrical conductivity of the sample in S/m, shall be adjusted so that the known value of conductivity is
r = electrical resistivity in V·m, and obtained for both reference standards. The reference standards
f = examination frequency in Hz. used should have conductivities that bracket the conductivity
These formulas are for nonmagnetic materials when the value of the sample.
relative permeability, µrel=1. If the thickness of the sample and 9.1.3 Some instruments have only one standardization ad-
the reference standards is at least 2.6d, the effect of thickness justment. In these cases the instrument should be standardized
is negligible. Smaller depths of penetration (higher frequen- to a reference standard at one end of the range to be examined.
cies) may be desirable for measuring surface effects. The A reference standard at the other end of the range should be
eddy-current density decrease with depth is also affected by the examined to verify that the error is within acceptable limits
coil diameter. The change due to coil diameter variation is not over the entire range.
considered in the above equation. Consult the instrument 9.2 Reference Standards—Electrical conductivity reference
manufacturer if penetration depth appears to be a source of standards are usually classified as primary, secondary, and
error in the measurement. operational standards.
9.2.1 Primary Conductivity Standards—These are reference
8. Apparatus standards that have been verified in terms of the fundamental
8.1 Electronic Apparatus—The electronic apparatus shall be units. The primary standards are kept in a laboratory environ-
capable of energizing the probe coil with alternating currents of ment and are used only to standardize secondary standards.
suitable frequencies and power levels and shall be capable of 9.2.2 Secondary Conductivity Standards—These reference
sensing changes in the measured impedance of the coil. standards have a value assigned through comparison with
Equipment may include any suitable signal-processing device primary standards. The primary standards used for assignment
(phase discriminator, filter circuits, and so forth). The output of values to these secondary standards shall have been stan-
may be displayed in either analog or digital readouts. Readout dardized using Test Method B193. The secondary standards are
is normally in percent IACS although it may be scaled for kept in a laboratory environment and are used only to calibrate
readings in other units. Additional apparatus, such as operational or instrument standards.
computers, plotters, or printers, or combination thereof, may be 9.2.3 Operational Conductivity Standards—These reference
used in the recording of data. standards are standardized by comparison with secondary
8.2 Probe—Probe coil designs combine empirical and math- standards. These reference standards are used to standardize
ematical design methods to choose appropriate combinations the instrument during use.
of characteristics. Many instruments use one probe coil. In 9.3 Reference standards should be examined with a rela-
instruments with several coils, the difference between coils is tively small coil to determine the uniformity of electrical
the coil geometry. For most conductivity instruments, the cable conductivity over the surface of the standard. Both the front
connecting the coil to the instrument is an integral part of the and the back surface should be examined for any conductivity
measuring circuit and the cable length should not be modified differences that may exist. If possible, scan the surfaces at
without consulting the instrument manufacturer or manual. several different input signal frequencies.
8.2.1 The probe coil should be designed to minimize the
9.4 Each time the reference standards are used, place the
effect of heat transfer from hand to coil.
probe coil at the same position relative to the center of the
8.3 Mechanical handling apparatus for feeding the samples standard within 61⁄2 of the coil diameter, not to exceed 66.35
or moving the probe coil, or both, may be used to automate a mm (60.25 in.), for example: 64 mm for an 8-mm diameter
specific measurement. coil, or 62 mm for a 4-mm diameter coil.
9.5 Electrical conductivity reference standards are precise
9. Standardization and Calibration
electrical standards and should be treated as such. Scratching
9.1 Standardization—Turn the instrument on and allow it of the surface of the standard may introduce measurement
sufficient time to stabilize in accordance with the manufactur- error. Avoid dropping or other rough handling of the standard.
er’s instructions. Adjust, balance, and standardize the conduc- Keep the surface of the standard as clean as possible. Clean
tivity meter against the instrument’s operational standards, and with a nonreactive liquid and a soft cloth or tissue. Store
compensate the conductivity meter for surface roughness and reference standards in a place where the temperature is
lift-off in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If a relatively constant. Avoid thermal shocking of the reference
lift-off adjustment is not available, determine the acceptable standards or placing them where large temperature variations
range of lift-off that will meet the accuracy requirements. are present.

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 E1004 − 09
10. Procedure 12.1.5 Measurement frequency.
10.1 Connect the required probe coil to the instrument. 12.1.6 Description of Materials:
12.1.6.1 Geometry.
10.2 Switch on the instrument and allow it to warm up for 12.1.6.2 Chemistry.
at least the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. 12.1.6.3 Heat treatment.
10.3 Ensure the temperature of all components to be as 12.1.7 Standardization method.
specified in 9.1.1, and that the instrument readings have 12.1.8 Temperature:
stabilized. 12.1.8.1 Temperature of the reference standards.
10.4 Make all necessary setups and control adjustments in 12.1.8.2 Sample temperature.
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. 12.1.8.3 Ambient temperature.
12.1.9 Examination procedure.
10.5 Standardize the measurement system in accordance
with 9.1. Standardize at the start of the run and at least once 13. Precision and Bias
every hour of continuous operation or whenever improper 13.1 Measurement bias depends upon factors that include
functioning of the system is suspected. uniformity of material properties in the reference standard and
10.6 Place the probe coil on the sample, and read the results sample, temperature control of the reference standards and
on the display. sample, measurement techniques, and instrument stability and
10.7 Verify the standardization of the instrument at the end accuracy.
of the examination of each lot. If the standardization is found 13.2 If the measurement has been done so that errors
to have exceeded the limits set by the user, re-standardize the discussed in Section 7 are minimized, the most significant
system and reexamine all of the material examined since the sources of systematic error will be in the reference standards
last acceptable standardization (see 9.1). and the instrumentation.
13.2.1 Reference Standards—The magnitude of the uncer-
11. Interpretation of Results
tainty of the reference standards, for example, 60.17×106 S/m
11.1 The results of eddy-current conductivity examination (60.3 % IACS) is a systematic error for the measurement.
are based on the comparison of an unknown sample with one 13.2.2 Instrumentation—Consult the manufacturer’s
or more reference standards. manual to determine the instrument uncertainty which is also a
11.2 Ensure that the results are within the desired accuracy systematic error.
(refer to Section 7). 13.3 Temperature—If absolute measurements of electrical
conductivity are being made, the temperature coefficients of
12. Report
the reference standards must be known and used while stan-
12.1 The written report of an electrical conductivity mea- dardizing the equipment. The systematic error due to tempera-
surement should contain any information about the examina- ture will then be negligible. If the coefficients are not known,
tion setup that will be necessary to duplicate the examination at values for the coefficients may be found in a physics or
the same or some other location, plus such other items as may material sciences handbook. A calculation based on published
be agreed upon between the producer and purchaser. Specific values will give a general idea of the systematic error due to
items to be recorded should be agreed upon and determined by temperature.
the using parties. Examples of items that may be recorded are
13.4 Practices E105 and E122 may be consulted if (1)
as follows:
multiple measurements are made on a sample or (2) measure-
12.1.1 Apparatus Description:
ments are made on a portion of a large number of samples in
12.1.1.1 Equipment type.
order to determine the electrical conductivity of the lot.
12.1.1.2 Model number.
12.1.1.3 Serial number. 13.5 The repeatability standard deviation and reproducibil-
12.1.1.4 Recorder type (if used). ity of this test method are being determined and will be
12.1.2 Coil: available on or before January, 2014.
12.1.2.1 Size.
12.1.2.2 Type. 14. Keywords
12.1.3 Other interconnecting apparatus. 14.1 eddy-current; electrical conductivity; metal sorting;
12.1.4 Reference standards. nondestructive testing

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 E1004 − 09
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee E07 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (E1004 - 02)
that may impact the use of this standard. (May 15, 2009)

(1) Subsection 7.1: Variables Influencing Accuracy: the recom- (3) Subsection 9.4 is modified to account for newer coil
mended reference temperature is changed from 70 6 15°F to diameters available from manufacturers. The probe must be
68 6 15°F in line with standard temperature definition for placed with in 6 1⁄2 of the coil diameter, rather than the
IACS. previous 66.35 mm (60.25 in.) restriction.
(2) Subsection 7.1.3: Edge Effect—modified testing edge (4) Subsection 13.5: Precision and Bias has been added to
restrictions—now are to be based on manufacturers recommen- show that a study has not yet been completed for this test
dation. method.

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