ASME BPVC.

V-2019 ARTICLE 5

ARTICLE 5
ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION METHODS FOR MATERIALS

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

dure shall require revision of, or an addendum to, the
This Article provides or references requirements, written procedure.
which are to be used in selecting and developing ultraso-
nic examination procedures for parts, components, mate-
rials, and all thickness determinations. When SA, SB, and T-530 EQUIPMENT
SE documents are referenced, they are located in Article
23. The referencing Code Section shall be consulted for T-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 control in units of
(c) examination system characteristics; 2.0 dB or less. If the instrument has a damping control,
it may be used if it does not reduce the sensitivity of
(d) retention and control of calibration blocks;
the examination. The reject control shall be in the “off” po-
(e) extent of examination and/or volume to be
sition for all examinations unless it can be demonstrated
scanned;
that it does not affect the linearity of the examination.
(f) acceptance standards;
(g) retention of records, and T-532 SEARCH UNITS
(h) report requirements.
The nominal frequency shall be from 1 MHz to 5 MHz
Definitions of terms used in this Article are contained in unless variables such as production material grain struc-
Article 1, Mandatory Appendix I, I-121.2, UT — ture require the use of other frequencies to assure ade-
Ultrasonics. quate penetration or better resolution. Search units
with contoured contact wedges may be used to aid ultra-
sonic coupling.
T-520 GENERAL
T-533 COUPLANT
T-521 BASIC REQUIREMENTS
T-533.1 General. The couplant, including additives,
The requirements of this article shall be used together shall not be detrimental to the material being examined.
with Article 1, General Requirements.
T-533.2 Control of Contaminants.
(a) Couplants used on nickel base alloys shall not con-
T-522 WRITTEN PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS tain more than 250 ppm of sulfur.
T-522.1 Requirements. Ultrasonic examination shall (b) Couplants used on austenitic stainless steel or tita-
be performed in accordance with a written procedure, nium shall not contain more than 250 ppm of halides
which shall, as a minimum, contain the requirements (chlorides plus fluorides).
listed in Table T-522. The written procedure shall estab-
lish a single value, or range of values, for each T-534 CALIBRATION BLOCK REQUIREMENTS
requirement. The material from which the block is fabricated shall be
T-522.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure (a) the same product form,
qualification is specified by the referencing Code Section, (b) the same material specification or equivalent
a change of a requirement in Table T-522 identified as an P-Number grouping, and
essential variable from the specified value, or range of val- (c) of the same heat treatment as the material being
ues, shall require requalification of the written procedure. examined.
A change of a requirement identified as a nonessential For the purposes of this paragraph, product form is de-
variable from the specified value, or range of values, does fined as wrought or cast, and P-Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5A through 5C,
not require requalification of the written procedure. All and 15A through 15F materials are considered
changes of essential or nonessential variables from the equivalent.

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Table T-522
Variables of an Ultrasonic Examination Procedure
Nonessential
Requirement Essential Variable Variable
Material types and configurations to be examined, including thickness dimensions and product form
(castings, forgings, plate, etc.) X …
The surfaces from which the examination shall be performed X …
Technique(s) (straight beam, angle beam, contact, and/or immersion) X …
Angle(s) and mode(s) of wave propagation in the material X …
Search unit type(s), frequency(ies), and element size(s)/shape(s) X …
Special search units, wedges, shoes, or saddles, when used X …
Ultrasonic instrument(s) X …
Calibration [calibration block(s) and technique(s)] X …
Directions and extent of scanning X …
Scanning (manual vs. automatic) X …
Method for sizing indications X …
Computer enhanced data acquisition, when used X …
Scan overlap (decrease only) X …
Personnel performance requirements, when required X …
Personnel qualification requirements … X
Surface condition (examination surface, calibration block) … X
Couplant: brand name or type … X
Post-examination cleaning technique … X
Automatic alarm and/or recording equipment, when applicable … X
Records, including minimum calibration data to be recorded (e.g., instrument settings) … 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
accordance with Mandatory Appendix I of Article 4.
T-534.1 Tubular Product Calibration Blocks.
(a) The calibration reflectors shall be longitudinal (ax- T-561.2 Amplitude Control Linearity. The ultrasonic
ial) notches and shall have a length not to exceed 1 in. instrument’s (excludes instruments used for thickness
(25 mm), a width not to exceed 1/16 in. (1.5 mm), and measurement) amplitude control linearity shall be evalu-
depth not to exceed 0.004 in. (0.10 mm) or 5% of the ated in accordance with Mandatory Appendix II of Article
nominal wall thickness, whichever is larger. 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-
clude the complete ultrasonic system and shall be per-
T-534.2 Casting Calibration Blocks. Calibration
formed prior to use of the system in the thickness range
blocks shall be the same thickness ±25% as the casting
under examination.
to be examined.
T-562.2 Calibration Surface. Calibrations shall be
T-534.3 Bolting Material Calibration Blocks and performed from the surface (clad or unclad; convex or
Examination Techniques.20 Calibration blocks in accor- concave) corresponding to the surface of the material
dance with Figure T-534.3 shall be used for straight beam from which the examination will be performed.
examination.
T-562.3 Couplant. The same couplant to be used
during the examination shall be used for calibration.
T-562.4 Contact Wedges. The same contact wedges
T-560 CALIBRATION
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 met T-562.5 Instrument Controls. Any control, which af-
at intervals not to exceed three months for analog type in- fects instrument linearity (e.g., filters, reject, or clipping),
struments and one year for digital type instruments, or shall be in the same position for calibration, calibration
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
D/
4
l = bolt length
L = calibration block length
l/ Lh = flat-bottom hole length
8

“bolt” refers to the material

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

D l/
(typ) 4

Lh
(typ)

(c) Block C

Dh
(typ) l/
2

Calibration Block Flat-Bottom

Designation Hole Depth, Lh
A 1.5 in.
(38 mm)
B 0.5 in.
(13 mm)
C 0.5 in.
(13 mm)

Diameter of Bolting Material to be Calibration Block Flat-Bottom Hole

Examined, d Diameter, D Diameter, Dh
d 1
Up to 1 in. (25 mm) d ± /4 /16 in. (1.5 mm)
d 1
Over 1 in. (25 mm) to 2 in. (50 mm) d ± /4 /8 in. (3 mm)
d 3
Over 2 in. (50 mm) to 3 in. (75 mm) d ± /4 /16 in. (5 mm)
d 5
Over 3 in. (75 mm) to 4 in. (100 mm) d ± /4 /16 in. (8 mm)
3
Over 4 in. (100 mm) d ± 1 in. (25 mm) /8 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 the area covered by the voided data shall be reexam-
and examination surfaces shall be within 25°F (14°C). ined. If the sensitivity setting has increased, all recorded
For immersion examination, the couplant temperature indications since the last valid calibration or calibration
for 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 CALIBRATION CONFIRMATION T-564 CASTING CALIBRATION FOR

SUPPLEMENTARY ANGLE BEAM
T-563.1 System Changes. When any part of the ex- EXAMINATIONS
amination system is changed, a calibration check shall
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
the highest amplitude is 80% ± 5% of full screen height.
T-563.2 Calibration Checks. A calibration check on This shall be the primary reference level.
at least one of the reflectors in the calibration block or
a check using a simulator shall be performed at the com-
pletion of each examination or series of similar examina- T-570 EXAMINATION
tions, and when examination personnel (except for
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-435/SA-435M, SA-577/SA-577M, SA-578/
NOTE: Interim calibration checks between the required initial cali- SA-578M, or SB-548, as applicable, except as amended
bration and the final calibration check may be performed. The deci- by the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
sion to perform interim calibration checks should be based on
T-571.2 Forgings and Bars.
ultrasonic instrument stability (analog vs. digital), the risk of having
to conduct reexaminations, and the benefit of not performing interim (a) Forgings and bars shall be examined in accordance
calibration checks. with SA-388/SA-388M or SA-745/SA-745M, as applic-
able, except as amended by the requirements elsewhere
T-563.2.1 Simulator Checks. Any simulator in this Article.
checks that are used shall be correlated with the original (b) All forgings and bars shall be examined by the
calibration on the calibration block during the original ca- straight-beam examination technique.
libration. The simulator checks may use different types of (c) In addition to (b), ring forgings and other hollow
calibration reflectors or blocks (such as IIW) and/or elec- forgings shall also be examined by the angle-beam exam-
tronic simulation. However, the simulation used shall be ination technique in two circumferential directions, un-
identifiable on the calibration sheet(s). The simulator less wall thickness or geometric configuration makes
check shall be made on the entire examination system. angle-beam examination impractical.
The entire system does not have to be checked in one op- (d) In addition to (b) and (c), ring forgings made to fine
eration; however, for its check, the search unit shall be grain melting practices and used for vessel shell sections
connected to the ultrasonic instrument and checked shall be also examined by the angle-beam examination
against a calibration reflector. Accuracy of the simulator technique in two axial directions.
checks shall be confirmed, using the calibration block, (e) Immersion techniques may be used.
every three months or prior to first use thereafter.
T-571.3 Tubular Products. Tubular products shall be
T-563.3 Confirmation Acceptance Values. examined in accordance with SE-213 or SE-273, as applic-
T-563.3.1 Distance Range Points. If any distance able, except as amended by the requirements elsewhere
range point has moved on the sweep line by more than in this Article.
10% of the distance reading or 5% of full sweep (which-
T-571.4 Castings. Castings shall be examined in ac-
ever is greater), correct the distance range calibration and
cordance with SA-609/SA-609M, except as amended by
note the correction in the examination record. All re-
the requirements elsewhere in this Article.
corded indications since the last valid calibration or cali-
(a) For straight-beam examinations, the sensitivity
bration check shall be reexamined and their values shall
compensation in paragraph 8.3 of SA-609/SA-609M shall
be changed on the data sheets or re-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 T-580 EVALUATION

examined in accordance with SA-388/SA-388M, except
as amended by the requirements elsewhere in this Article. For examinations using DAC calibrations, any imperfec-
(a) Bolting material shall be examined radially prior to tion with an indication amplitude in excess of 20% of DAC
threading. Sensitivity shall be established using the indi- shall be investigated to the extent that it can be evaluated
cation from the side of the hole in calibration block A at in terms of the acceptance criteria of the referencing Code
radial metal paths of D/4 and 3D /4. The instrument gain 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 T-590 DOCUMENTATION
be the primary reference level. A distance–amplitude cor-
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 both Code Section.
end surfaces, either before or after threading. The instru-
T-591.2 Rejectable Indications. Rejectable indica-
ment gain shall be adjusted such that the indication from
tions shall be recorded. As a minimum, the type of indica-
the flat-bottom hole producing the highest indication am-
tion (i.e., crack, lamination, inclusion, etc.), location, and
plitude, is 80% ± 5% FSH. This shall be the primary refer-
extent (i.e., length) shall be recorded.
ence level. A DAC curve shall be established using the
indications from the three flat-bottom holes and shall
be extended to cover the full length of the material being T-592 EXAMINATION RECORDS
examined. If any flat-bottom hole indication amplitude is For each ultrasonic examination, the requirements of
less than 20% FSH, construct two DAC lines using calibra- Article 1, T-190(a) and the following information shall
tion blocks A and B, and calibration blocks B and C and be recorded:
record the gain setting necessary to adjust the highest in-
(a) ultrasonic instrument identification (including
dication amplitude for each DAC to 80% ± 5% FSH.
manufacturer’s serial number)
(c) Immersion techniques may be used.
(b) search unit(s) identification (including manufac-
T-572 EXAMINATION OF PUMPS AND VALVES turer’s serial number, frequency, and size)
(c) beam angle(s) used
Ultrasonic examination of pumps and valves shall be in
accordance with Mandatory Appendix I. (d) couplant used, brand name or type
(e) search unit cable(s) used, type and length
T-573 INSERVICE EXAMINATION (f) special equipment, when used (search units,
T-573.1 Nozzle Inner Radius and Inner Corner Re- wedges, shoes, automatic scanning equipment, recording
gion. Inservice examination of nozzle inner radii and in- equipment, etc.)
ner corner regions shall be in accordanc e with (g) computerized program identification and revision,
Mandatory Appendix II. when used
T-573.2 Inservice Examination of Bolting. Inservice (h) calibration block identification
examination of bolting shall be in accordance with Man- (i) simulation block(s) and electronic simulator(s)
datory Appendix IV. identification, when used
(j) 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-
lay cladding, shall be in accordance with SA-578/ (k) calibration data [including reference reflector(s),
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SA-578M. indication amplitude(s), and distance reading(s)]

(l) data correlating simulation block(s) and electronic
T-574 THICKNESS MEASUREMENT simulator(s), when used, with initial calibration
Thickness measurement shall be performed in accor- (m) identification of material or volume scanned
dance with SE-797, except as amended by the require- (n) surface(s) from which examination was conducted,
ments elsewhere in this Article. including surface condition
(o) map or record of rejectable indications detected or
T-577 POST-EXAMINATION CLEANING areas cleared
When post-examination cleaning is required by the (p) areas of restricted access or inaccessible areas
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 re-
with the referencing Code Section. ferencing Code Section.

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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 5

MANDATORY APPENDIX I
ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION OF PUMPS AND VALVES

I-510 SCOPE I-560 CALIBRATION

This Appendix describes supplementary requirements I-561 SYSTEM CALIBRATION
to Article 5 for ultrasonic examination of welds or base
System calibration shall be in accordance with Article
material repairs, or both, in pumps and valves.
4, T-463 exclusive of T-463.1.1.

I-530 EQUIPMENT
I-531 CALIBRATION BLOCKS I-570 EXAMINATION
Calibration blocks for pumps and valves shall be in ac- The examination shall be in accordance with Article 4,
cordance with Article 4, Nonmandatory Appendix J. T-470.

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