ASME BPVC.

V- ARTICLE 5
2019

ARTICLE 5
ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR MATERIALS

T-510 SCOPE value, or range of values, specified by the written proce-

This Article provides or references requirements, dure shall require revision of, or an addendum to, the
which are to be used in selecting and developing ultraso- written procedure.
nic examination procedures for parts, components, mate-
rials, and all thickness determinations. When SA, SB, and
SE documents are referenced, they are located in Article %0%-530 EQUIPMENT
23. The referencing Code Section shall be consulted for %0%-531 INSTRUMENT
specific requirements for the following:
A pulse-echo type of ultrasonic instrument shall be
(a) personnel qualification/certification requirements;
used. The instrument shall be capable of operation at fre-
(b) procedure requirements/demonstration, qualifica- quencies over the range of at least 1 to 5 MHz, and shall
tion, acceptance; be equipped with a stepped gain co ntrol in units of
cj examination system characteristics; 2.0 d B or less. If the instrument has a damping control,
retention and control of calibration it may be used if it does not reduce the sensitivity of
blocks; the examination. The reject control shall be in the “off’
extent of exa min ati o n a n d / o r vo l u m e to be po- sition for all examinations unless it can be
scanned; demonstrated that it does not affect the linearity of the
acceptance standards; examination.
(g) retention of records, and
report requirements. %0%-532 SEARCH UNITS
Definitions of terms used in this Article are contained in The nominal frequency shall be from 1 M Hz to 5 MHz
Arti cl e 1, M a n d ato ry Ap pen d ix I, I -1 21. 2, U T — unless variables such as production material grain struc-
Ultrasonics. ture require the use of other frequencies to assure ade-
quate penetration or better resolution. Search units with
contoured contact wedges may be used to aid ultra- sonic
T-520 GENERAL coupling.

T-521 BASIC REQUIREMENTS %0%-533 COUPLANT

The requirements of this article shall be used together T-533.1 General. The couplant, including additives,
with Article 1, General Requirements. shall not be detrimental to the material being examined.
T-533.2 Control of Contaminants.
T-522 WRITTEN PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS (a) Couplants used on nickel base alloys shall not con-
T-522.1 Requirements. Ultrasonic examination shall tain more than 250 ppm of sulfur.
be performed in accordance with a written procedure, (b) Couplants used on austenitic stainless steel or tita-
which shall, as a minimum, contain the requirements listed nium shall not contain more than 2 50 ppm of halides
in Table T-522. The written procedure shall estab- 1 is h (chlorides plus fluorides).
a s in gle va1 u e, o r ra nge o f val u es, fo r ea c h
requirement. %0%-534 CALIBRATION BLOCK
T-522.2 Procedure Qua\ification. When procedure
REQUIREMENTS
qualification is specified by the referencing Code Section, The material from which the block is fabricated shall be
a change of a requirement in Table T-522 identified as an (a) the same product form,
essential variable from the specified value, or range of (b) the same material speci ficati o n or equivalent
val- ues, shall require requalification of the written P-Number grouping, and
procedure. A change of a requirement identified as a (c) of the same heat treatment as the material being
nonessential variable from the specified value, or range of examined.
values, does not require requalification of the written For the purposes of this paragraph, product form is de-
procedure. All changes of essential or nonessential fined as wrought or cast, and P-Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5A through 5C,
variables from the a n d 1 5 A th r o ugh 1 5 F ma te r i a1s a re co n s i d e re
d equivalent.
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TabteT-522
Variables of an Ultrasonic Examination Procedure
Nonessential Variable
Requirement Essential Variable
Material types and configurations to be examined, including thickness dimensions and product form (castings, forgings, plate, etc.)
The surfaces from which the examination shall be performed Technique(s) (straight beam, angle beam, contact, and/or immersion) Angle(s) and mode(s) of wave propagation in the m
X X X Xinstrument(s)
Search unit type(s), frequency(ies), and element size(s)/shape(s) Special search units, wedges, shoes, or saddles, when used Ultrasonic X X X X X X X X X X
Calibration [calibration block(s) and technique(s)] Directions and extent of scanning
Scanning (manual vs. automatic) Method for sizing indications
Computer enhanced data acquisition, when used Scan overlap (decrease only)
Personnel performance requirements, when required Personnel qualification requirements
Surface condition (examination surface, calibration block) Couplant: brand name or type
Post-examination cleaning technique
Automatic alarm and/or recording equipment, when applicable
Records, including minimum calibration data to be recorded (e.g., instrument settings)

X X X X X X

The finish on the scanning surface of the block shall be T-561.1 Screen Height Linearity. The ultrasonic in-
representative of the scanning surface finish on the mate- strument’s (excludes instruments used for thickness mea-
rial to be examined. surement) screen height linearity shall be evaluated in
T-534.1 Tubular Product Calibration Blocks. accordance with Mandatory Appendix I of Article 4.
(a) The calibration reflectors shall be longitudinal (ax- T-561.2 Amplitude Control Linearity. The
ial) notches and shall have a length not to exceed 1 in. ultrasonic instrument’s (excludes instruments used for
(25 mm), a width not to exceed 1/ 6 in. (1.5 mm), and thickness measurement) amplitude control linearity shall
depth not to exceed 0.004 in. (0.10 mm) or 5% of the be evalu- ated in accordance with Mandatory Appendix II
nominal wall thickness, whichever is larger. of 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 in-
T-534.2 Casting Calibration Blocks. Calibration clude 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 Bolting Material Calibration Blocks and T-562.2 Calibration Surface. Calibrations shall be
Examination Techniques. ° Calibration blocks in accor-
2 performed from the surface (clad or unclad; convex or
dance with Figure T-534.3 shall be used for straight beam concave) corresponding to the surface of the material from
examination. which the examination will be performed.
T-562.3 Couplant. The same couplant to be used
during the examination shall be used for calibration.
T-560 CALIBRATION T-562.4 Contact hedges. The same contact wedges
to be used during the examination shall be used for
T-561 INSTRUMENT LINEARITY CHECKS calibration.
The requirements of T-561.1 and T-561.2 shall be T-562.5 Instrument Controls. Any control, which af-
met at intervals not to exceed three months for analog
fects instrument linearity (e.g., filters, reject, or clipping),
type in- struments and one year for digital type
shall be in the same position for calibration, calibration
instruments, or prior to first use thereafter.
checks, instrument linearity checks, and examination.

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Figure T-534.3
Straight Beam Calibration Blocks for Bolting

(a) Block A
Nomenclature
d —— bolt* diameter
D —— calibration block diameter
Dh —— flat-bottom hole diameter
4 I — bolt length
L —— calibration block length
Lh — flat-bottom hole length

* “bolt” refers to the material

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

D
(typ)
Lh
(typ)

(c) Block C

----

Dh
(typ) ''2

Calibration Block Flat-Bottom

Designation Hole Depth, £p
A 1.5 in.
(38 mm)
B 0.5 in.
(13 mm)
0.5 in.
(13 mm)

Diameter of Bolting Material to be Calibration Block Flat-Bottom

Examined, d Hole Diameter, D Diameter, D
Up to 1 in. (25 mm) d+% 1
/, in. (1.5 mm)
Over 1 in. (25 mm) to 2 in. (50 mm) d+% '/g in. (3 mm)
Over 2 in. (50 mm) to 3 in. (75 mm) d+% /„ in. (5 mm)
Over 3 in. (75 mm) to 4 in. (100 mm) d+% / in. (8 mm)
Over 4 in. (100 mm) d -• 1 in. (25 mm) /g in. (10 mm)
GENERAL NOTE: A tolerance of +5% may be applied.

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T-562.6 Temperature. For contact examination, the

calibration or calibration check shall be marked void
temperature differential between the calibration block and
and the area covered by the voided data shall be reexam-
examination surfaces shall be within 2 5°F (14°C). For
ined. If the sensitivity setting has increased, all recorded
immersion examination, the couplant temperature for
indications since the last valid calibration or calibration
calibration shall be within 25°F (14°C) of the couplant
check shall be reexamined and their values shall be chan-
temperature for examination.
ged on the data sheets or re-recorded.

T-563 CALIBRATIOH CONFIRMATION T-564 CASTING CALIBRATION FOR

T-563.1 System Changes. When any part of the ex- SUPPLEMENTARY ANGLE BEAM
amination system is changed, a calibration check shall EXAMINATIONS
be made on the calibration block to verify that distance For supplementary angle-beam examinations, the in-
range points and sensitivity setting(s) satisfy the require- strument gain shall be adjusted during calibration such
ments of T-563.3. that the indication from the side-drilled hole producing
T-563.2 Calibration Checks. A calibration check on the highest amplitude is 80% + 5% of full screen height.
at least one of the reflectors in the calibration block or This shall be the primary reference level.
a check using a simulator shall be performed at the com-
pletion of each examination or series of similar examina-
tions, and when examination personnel (except fo r T-570 EXAMINATION
automated equipment) are changed. The distance range T-571 EXAMINATION OF PRODUCT FORMS
and sensitivity values recorded shall satisfy the require-
T-571.1 Plate. Plate shall be examined in accordance
ments of T-563.3.
with SA-4 35/ SA-4 35M, SA-5 77/ SA-5 77M, SA-5 78/
NOTE: Interim calibration checks between the required initial SA-5 78M, or SB-548, as applicable, except as amended
cali- bration and the final calibration check may be performed.
by the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
The deci- sion to perform interim calibration checks should be
based on ultrasonic instrument stability (analog vs. digital), the T-571.2 Forgings and Bars.
risk of having to conduct reexaminations, and the benefit of not (a) Forgings and bars shall be examined in accordance
performing interim calibration checks.
with SA-388/SA-388M or SA-745/SA-745 M, as applic-
T-563.2.1 Simulator Checks. Any simulator able, except as amended by the requirements elsewhere
checks that are used shall be correlated with the in this Article.
original calibration on the calibration block during the (b) All forgings and bars shall be examined by the
original ca- libration. The simulator checks may use straight-beam examination technique.
different types of calibration reflectors or blocks (such (c) In addition to (b), ring forgings and other hollow
as HW) and/or elec- tronic simulation. However, the forgings shall also be examined by the angle-beam
simulation used shall be identifiable on the calibration exam- ination technique in two circumferential
sheet(s). The simulator check shall be made on the directions, un- less wall thickness or geometric
entire examination system. The entire system does not configuration makes angle-beam examination
have to be checked in one op- eration; however, for its impractical.
check, the search unit shall be connected to the (d) In addition to (b) and (c), ring forgings made to fine
ultrasonic instrument and checked against a calibration grain melting practices and used for vessel shell sections
reflector. Accuracy of the simulator checks shall be shall be also examined by the angle-beam examination
confirmed, using the calibration block, every three technique in two axial directions.
months or prior to first use thereafter. (e) Immersion techniques may be used.

T-563.3 Confirmation Acceptance Values. T-571.3 Tubular Products. Tubular products shall be
T-563.3.1 Distance Range Points. lf any examined in accordance with SE-213 or SE-273, as
distance range point has moved on the sweep line by applic- able, except as amended by the requirements
more than 10% of the distance reading or 5% of full elsewhere in this Article.
sweep (which- ever is greater), correct the distance range T-571.4 Castings. Castings shall be examined in ac-
calibration and note the correction in the examination cordance with SA-609/SA-609M, except as amended by
record. All re- corded indications since the last valid the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
calibration or cali- bration check shall be reexamined and (a) For straight-beam examinations, the sensitivity
their values shall be changed on the data sheets or re- compensation in paragraph 8.3 of SA-609/SA-609M shall
recorded. not be used.
T-563.3.2 Sensitivity Settings. If any sensitivity (b) A supplementary angle-beam examination shall be
setting has changed by more than 20% or 2 dB of its am- performed on castings or areas of castings where a back
plitude, correct the sensitivity calibration and note the reflection cannot be maintained during straight-beam ex-
correction in the examination record. If the sensitivity set- amination, or where the angle between the front and back
ting has decreased, all data sheets since the last valid surfaces of the casting exceeds 15 deg.

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T-571.5 Bolting Material. Bolting material shall be

examined in accordance with SA-388/SA-388M, except T-580 EVALUATION
as amended by the requirements elsewhere in this Article. For examinations using DAC calibrations, any
(a) Bolting material shall be examined radially prior to imperfec- tion with an indication amplitude in excess of
threading. Sensitivity shall be established using the indi- 20% of DAC shall be investigated to the extent that it can
cation from the side of the hole in calibration block A at be evaluated in terms of the acceptance criteria of the
radial metal paths of D/4 and 3D /4. The instrument gain referencing Code Section.
shall be adjusted such that the indication from the D/4 or
3D /4 hole (whichever has the highest indication ampli-
tude) is 80% + 5% of full screen height (FSH). This shall
be the primary reference level. A distance-amplitude cor- T-590 DOCUMENTATION
rection (DAC) curve shall be established using the indica- T-591 RECORDING INDICATIONS
tions from the D/4 and 3D/4 holes and shall be extended
T-591.1 Nonrejectable Indications. Nonrejectable in-
to cover the full diameter of the material being examined.
dications shall be recorded as specified by the referencing
(b) Bolting material shall be examined axially from
Code Section.
both end surfaces, either before or after threading. The
instru- ment gain shall be adjusted such that the indication T-591.2 Rejectab\e Indications. Rejectable indica-
from the flat-bottom hole producing the highest indication tions shall be recorded. As a minimum, the type of indica-
am- plitude, is 80% + 5% FSH. This shall be the primary tion (i.e., crack, lamination, inclusion, etc.), location, and
refer- ence level. A DAC curve shall be established using extent (i.e., length) shall be recorded.
the indications from the three flat-bottom holes and
shall be extended to cover the full length of the material
being examined. If any flat-bottom hole indication
T-592 EXAMINATION RECORDS
amplitude is less than 20% FSH, construct two DAC lines For each ultrasonic examination, the requirements of
using calibra- tion blocks A and B, and calibration blocks Article 1, T-190 (a) and the following information shall
B and C and record the gain setting necessary to adjust the be recorded:
highest in- dication amplitude for each DAC to 80% + 5% (a) ultrasonic instrument identification (including
FSH. manufacturer’s serial number)
Immersion techniques may be used. (b) search unit(s) identification (including manufac-
turer’s serial number, frequency, and size)
T-572 EXAMINATION OF PUMPS AND VALVES (c) beam angle(s) used
Ultrasonic examination of pumps and valves shall be in (d) couplant used, brand name or type
accordance with Mandatory Appendix I. (e) search unit cable(s) used, type and length
T-573 INSERVICE EXAMINATION sp ec ia l equi p ment, when used (search units,
wedges, shoes, automatic scanning equipment, recording
T-573.1 Nozzle Inner Radius and Inner corner Re- equipment, etc.)
gion. Inservice examination of nozzle inner radii and in-
(g) computerized program identification and revision,
n er co r n er re gio n s s h all be in a cco rd a n ce with
when used
Mandatory Appendix II.
(h) calibration block identification
T-573.2 Inservice Examination of Bolting. Inservice (i) simulation block(s) and electronic simulator(s)
examination of bolting shall be in accordance with Man- identification, when used
datory Appendix IV.
Jj instrument reference level gain and, if used, damp-
T-573.3 Inservice Examination of Cladding. Inser- ing and reject setting(s)
vice examination of cladding, excluding weld metal over- (k) calibration data [including reference reflector(s),
lay clad ding, sha11 be in accordance with SA-5 78/ SA- indication amplitude(s), and distance reading(s)]
5 78M. (l) data correlating simulation block(s) and electronic
simulator(s), when used, with initial calibration
T-574 THICKNESS MEASUREMENT
mj identification of material or volume scanned
Thickness measurement shall be performed in accor-
nj surface(s) from which examination was conducted,
dance with SE-797, except as amended by the require-
including surface condition
ments elsewhere in this Article.
(o) map or record of rejectable indications detected or
T-577 POST-EXAMINATION CLEANING areas cleared
(p) areas of restricted access or inaccessible areas
When post-examination cleaning is required by the
procedure, it should be conducted as soon as practical Items (a) through (l) may be included or attached in a
after evaluation and documentation using a process that separate calibration record provided the calibration re-
does not adversely affect the part. cord is included in the examination record.

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T-593 REPORT T-594 STORAGE MEDIA

A report of the examinations shall be made. The report
Storage media for computerized scanning data and
shall include those records indicated in T-591 and T-592.
viewing software shall be capable of securely storing
The report shall be filed and maintained in accordance
and retrieving data for the time period specified by the
with the referencing Code Section.
re- ferencing Code Section.

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