ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION Key words: NDT, welding, testing TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Scope 1.2 Reporting level 1.3 Acceptance criteria 1.4 Extent of examination 1.5 References 1.6 Definitions 2 APPLICATION 2.1 General 2.2 Required information 3 PERSONNEL 4 SURFACE PREPARATION 5 COUPLANT 6 PERIODIC CHECK OF EQUIPMENT 6.1 General 6.2 Periodic quality checks 6.3 Periodic checks during operation 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 7 DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT 3 7.1 Ultrasonic apparatus 3 7.2 Probes 3 7.2.1 General 3 7.2.2 Aluminium 3 7.2.3 Carbon steel 4 7.2.4 Austenitic steel 4 7.3 Calibration blocks 4 7.4 Reference blocks 4 7.5 Control blocks 5 8 PROCEDURE FOR EXAMINATION OF WELDS 5 8.1 General 5 8.2 Calibration of probes 5 8.3 Adjustment of time base 5 8.4 Sensitivity setting 6 8.5 Examination of parent metal 6 8.6 Examination routines 8 9 REPORTING 8-9 Published by NORDTEST Tekniikantie 12, FIN-02150 ESPOO, FINLAND Phone +358 9 455 4600 Fax +358 9 455 4272 ISSN 0283-720X Proj. 864-89 www.nordtest.org NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 2 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Scope This Nordtest method specifies procedures for weld examin- ation in thin materials by manually operated ultrasonics. The method is limited to ordinary carbon steel, aluminium alloys and austenitic steel with commonly accepted qualities for conventional ultrasonic testing. The thickness range covered is from 7 mm down to 3 mm, i.e. below the ranges covered by ordinary procedures for ultrasonic weld examination which often apply a lower limit of around 8 mm. 1.2 Reporting level This Nordtest method does not specify reporting level. 1.3 Acceptance criteria This Nordtest method does not specify acceptance criteria. Reference is to be made to relevant codes or other documents specifying such criteria. 1.4 Extent of examination This Nordtest method does not specify the extent of examin- ation in terms of areas to be examined, examination coverage (percentage of total test specimen surface) or examination intervals. 1.5 References For common ultrasonic practices, reference is to be made to relevant parts of DOC IIS/IIW -527-76 Handbook on the Ultrasonic Examination of Welds. The International Institute of Welding. 1.6 Definitions Probe stand-off The probe stand-off is the gap between the probe shoe and the test object surface. TR (twin crystal) probe A transmitter-receiver (TR) probe has two crystals, one for transmitting the sound and the other for receiving, and is often also referred to as a twin crystal probe. The TR arrangement can be either straight beam probes or angle beam probes. Probe log A collection of probe data sheets and calibration data for the probes used in the examination. 2 APPLICATION 2.1 General Whenever an ultrasonic examination is specified to be per- formed according to this document, the applications are re- stricted to: Weld examination. Ordinary carbon steel, austenitic steel, aluminium alloys and materials of comparable ultrasonic properties. Material thicknesses in the range of 3 mm to 7 mm. Surface curvature (external radius) exceeding 50 mm. Surface temperature up to 60 C. 2.2 Required information Reference to this document only is insufficient in order to specify a proper ultrasonic examination. At least the following additional information has to be given: (i) Reporting level. (ii) Extent of examination, i.e. areas to be ing configuration and dimensions. examined includ- In addition the following information may be given: (iii) Acceptance criteria. (iv) Precautions in case unacceptable weld defects are found. 3 PERSONNEL The personnel responsible for performing ultrasonic examin- ation of welds in thin plates according to this document shall be examined and certified according to level 2 of the NORD- TEST certification scheme or equivalent. Moreover, the per- sonnel concerned shall: (i) Be familiar with the possibilities and the limitations of this special thin material method used to detect and size weld defects. (ii ) The personnel should also keep themselves informed about developments in using ultrasonics in thin materi- als. (iii) Be specifically trained in the practical testing of welds in the actual thickness range. Whenever necessary, the personnel in question should be submitted to qualification tests to prove their proficiency. 4 SURFACE PREPARATION For examination of welds in thin plates the weld must be prepared flush, i.e. weld cap and root must align with the base material. This alignment must be good, since any remaining material below the plate level may contain sharp edges caus- ing more serious disturbances than the original weld. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 3 Generally the condition of the surface that will be in contact with the probe shall be such that satisfactory coupling between the probe and the workpiece can be maintained, providing satisfactory conditions for the transmission of the ultrasonic waves. Surfaces where scanning will be performed must also allow for free movement of the probe. The surface roughness should not exceed 6 m rms. For aluminium the grinding requirement may impose specific requirements on the grinding equipment to avoid corrosion problems. Aluminium surfaces should be metallically clean. 5 COUPLANT A couplant such as water, oil, grease or a commercial ultra- sonic couplant shall be used in accordance with common practices (IIW doc. 527-76, Section 4.3). A probe holder with a 0.05 to 0.1 mm probe stand-off may be used with micro miniature probes when using liquid couplant, to ensure stable coupling, less probe wear, more easy probe handling and correct probe angle. 6 PERIODIC CHECK OF EQUIPMENT 6.1 General Whenever personnel discovers irregularities in equipment per- formance, or the equipment has been exposed to rough treat- ment which could influence the equipment performance, a quality check is required. Documents of quality checks shall be available. 6.2 Periodic quality checks The ultrasonic apparatus, probes and cables shall be checked at intervals not exceeding 6 months. The check shall ensure that all the operating modes function satisfactory. 6.3 Periodic checks during operation In order to ensure that the ultrasonic equipment is properly calibrated at any time during examination, the operator shall perform checks at regular intervals as outlined below: - Ultrasonic apparatus At approximately performed: two-hourly intervals, the following shall be * check of time-base range or display range using blocks manufactured for the purpose. * check of sensitivity. - Angle beam probes The angle probes shall be checked frequently and always before and after a specific ultrasonic examination. If wear has caused an angular deviation of more 2 from the nominal value, the probe shall be replaced. When replacing a probe, all calibration, adjustment of time-base and sensitivity setting shall be repeated. - Straight beam probes The straight beam probes shall be checked frequently and always before and after a specific ultrasonic examination. Echo amplitude and number of echoes (if applicable) from a calibration/reference block can be used in the check pro- cedure. 7 DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT 7.1 Ultrasonic apparatus An oscilloscope type ultrasonic flaw detector (A-scan display or similar) covering at least the frequency range of 4-12 MHz shall be used. The apparatus must be able to work in single as well as twin crystal modes. It must be possible to adjust the time base of the apparatus down to a range of 10 mm corresponding to full screen width. It must be possible to draw a reference curve directly on the screen. 7.2 Probes 7.2.1 General Single crystal probes should be chosen so that sound paths exceed 60 % of the near field length. Twin crystal probes should be chosen so that the sound path is typically 50-200 % of focal distance. High frequencies, 4-10 MHz, should be used for good sensi- tivity. The highest frequency probes are needed for the smallest plate thicknesses. The probe angle should be in the range of 60 to 80. The advantage of using different probe angles may be less for thin plate examination because the ultrasonic beam may fill the inspection volume. This will depend on plate thickness, probe frequency and probe crystal size. For high frequency micro miniature probes this effect will be less pronounced. 7.2.2 Aluminium Ultrasonic probes with the following characteristics shall be used: (i) Micro miniature angle beam probes or TR probes, - Frequency in the range of 4-10 MHz - A probe angle of approximately 70 should be used. The probe angle in aluminium will depend on the type of alloy and treatment of the material. The nominal probe angle will normally be given for steel, and the actual probe angle has to be established by cali- bration as described in Clause 8.2. - Transversal wave mode. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT013 4 (ii) Straight beam TR probes, - Frequency in the range of 10 MHz Focus at 50-200 % of nominal thickness. 7.2.3 Carbon steel Ultrasonic probes with the following characteristics shall be used: (i) Micro miniature angle beam probes or TR probes, - Frequency in the range of 4-10 MHz - Beam angle of 70 (ii) Straight beam TR probes, - Frequency in the range of 4-10 MHz - Focus at 50-200 % of nominal thickness. 7.2.4 Austenitic steel Ultrasonic probes with the following characteristics shall be used: (i) Micro miniature angle beam probes or TR probes, - Frequency in the range of 4-10 MHz - Beam angle of 70 - Twin crystal probe - Transverse wave mode, since the lower attenuation of longitudinal waves gives no advantage for the short 7.3 Calibration blocks The following calibration blocks shall be applied: ( i ) The IIW Calibration Block No. 2, the V2 block, shall be used for determination of probe index point, as described in the examination procedure 8.2. ( i i ) A calibration and reference block shall be used for deter- mination of probe angle and for adjustment of time base. The block shall be made of the same material or a material with the same ultrasonic properties as the test object. The calibration/reference block is described below and is shown in Figure 7.1. 7.4 Reference blocks A reference block shall be made of the same material or a material with the same ultrasonic properties as the test object. The dimensions of the reference block shall be: Thickness (T) Same as the test object. Length (L) Minimum 70 mm. Width (W) Minimum 40 mm. A cylindrical bore hole of 1.0 mm diameter and two notches of 1.0 mm depth and max. 0.2 mm width, with lengths equal to half the reference block width, shall be positioned as shown in Figure 7.1. (i) The notches shall be used to determine probe angle. (ii) The time base should be calibrated using the cylindrical path lengths in thin plates. bore hole as reflector. W/2 Notches shall have rounded ends (side milling cutter) 1 mm bore hole of max 20 mm length Figure 7.1. Calibration and reference block with side drilled hole and notches. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 5 (iii) Sensitivity setting shall be performed with the cylindrical bore hole of 1 mm diameter. The construction of the reference curve should be carried out as recommended by DOC IIS/IIW - 527-76. 7.5 Control blocks It is recommended, but non-mandatory, to have control blocks with real defects for the purpose of increased detection re- liability. The control block shall have the same material quality, thickness, surface geometry and surface condition as the body to be examined. 8 PROCEDURE FOR EXAMINATION OF WELDS 8.1 General The ultrasonic weld examination shall be performed according to commonly accepted practice, as described in DOC IIS/IIW- 527-76. The temperature of the calibration and reference block shall be the same as that of the surface of the test object within 10 C. 8.2 Calibration of probes ( i ) The IIW Calibration Block No. 2, the V2 Block, shall be used for initial determination of index point. See Fig. 8.1. INDEX POINT The echo is maximized against the 25 mm or 50 mm diameter surface and the position of the index point is positioned directly below the reference mark on the calibration block. The index point should be marked on the probe and the result should be reported in the probe log. ( i i ) The calibration of the angle of refraction shall be per- formed directly on the reference block by mechanically measuring the plate thickness and horizontal distance from the index point of the probe to the position of the notches, and then calculating the angle. The calibration procedure is described in Figure 8.2. At least one of the indicated positions should be used, and the angle of refraction then calculated from the following formula: a = arctg(d/T) (iii) If the probe wedge has been adapted to test body curvature, the probe index and angle of refraction shall be determined by using a reference block of curvature similar to that of the test object. 8.3 Adjustment of time base On both planar and curved contact surfaces, the cylindrical bore hole in the reference block should be used for adjustment of time base. The echoes against the cylindrical bore hole should be maximized in at least two of the positions A, B, C and D in Figure 8.3, and the time base of the apparatus should be adjusted so that the full length of the minimum scanning area is within the screen. Figure 8.1. Calibration of index point using the V2 block. Figure 8.2. Calibration of probe angle. Figure 8.3. Calibration of time base. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 6 Figure 8.4. Calculation of sound path s and horizontal distance d from the probe to a cylindrical bore hole. The sound path s and the horizontal distance d from the first probe position A to the reflector can be calculated by the following formulas, when the plate thickness T, the probe angle a and the radius R (0.5 mm) of the cylindrical bore hole are known (see Figure 8.4): s = (T/2)/cos(a) - R d = (T/2)tg(a) - R sin(a) The position A is approximately 1/4 skip distance from the bore hole and the positions B, C and D correspond to 3/4, 5/4 and 7/4 skip distances, or N*(1/4) skip distances, where N is 1, 3, 5 and 7. A table of horizontal distances and sound paths corresponding to the probe positions A, B, C and D should be made and the probe positions for these skip distances should be marked with a felt tip pen on the surface of the reference block. The formulas for these positions will be s = N(T/2)/cos(a) - R d = N(T/2)tg(a) - R sin(a) An example of such a table is given below, for T = 4 mm, a = Probe ID Probe angle Date Operator Probe position A, B, C, D, 1/4 skip 3/4 skip 5/4 skip 7/4 skip Sound path, s [mm] 5.3 17.0 28. 7 40. 4 Horizontal distance d [mm] 5.0 16.0 27. 0 38. 0 8.4 Sensitivity setting The sensitivity setting shall be performed and a reference curve shall be established by using the 1 mm diameter bore hole in the reference block described in Fig. 7.1. The procedure is shown in Figures 8.5 to 8.8. The sound path from the position corresponding to the first point on the reference curve to the cylindrical bore hole should be not less than 60 % of the near field length of the probe. Probe positions A(1), B(3) and C(5) shall be used for estab- lishing the reference curve if the sound path from the probe in position A(1) to the reflector is more than 0.6 times (60 %) the near field length of the probe. Otherwise probe positions A(3), B(5) and C(7) shall be used. The echo height from the first position should be maximized and the gain adjusted so that the echo height is 80 % of the full screen height. With constant gain setting echo heights from the other probe positions shall be maximized and the maximum echo positions should be marked on the instrument screen. A smooth curve should be drawn through the established echo height positions and is to be plotted on the instrument screen. The two curves at 50 % and 20 % of the reference curve should also be established and plotted on the instrument screen. For aluminium, reporting level and acceptance criteria often require the use of a higher sensitivity, because lack of fusion defects in aluminium are often partly transparent to ultrasound. The required sensitivity levels must be established individually. 8.5 Examination of parent metal Parent metal should be checked for lamination type defects in the scanning area by using a straight beam TR probe with a focal distance comparable to (50 to 200 % of) the material t hi ckness. 70: NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 7 Figure 8.5. Probe positions for establishing reference curve, numbers in parentheses are number of quarter skip distances. 100 % t 75 % \ \ \ \ \ \ REFERENCE CURVE A(1) B(3) C(5) Figure 8.6. Reference curve corresponding to above probe positions, numbers in parentheses correspond to number of quarter skip distances. Figure 8.7. Probe positions for establishing reference curve, numbers in parentheses correspond to number of quarter skip distances. 100 % t 75 % ! \ \ \ \ \ \ REFERENCE CURVE Figure 8.8. Reference curve corresponding to above probe positions, numbers in parentheses correspond to number of quarter skip distances. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 8 MINIMUM SCANNING AREA Figure 8.9. Minimum scanning area for probes with short near field length. I MINIMUM SCANNING AREA I i I I s = 10 mm Figure 8.10. Minimum scanning area using a probe with relatively long near field length. MACHINED FLUSH I WELD LONGITUDINAL AXIS \ reflector position near the center of the plate, and the most far away probe position corresponds to a reflector position near the top (Figure 8.9) or bottom (Figure 8.10) surface of the plate with a distance S, minimum 10 mm, from the weld groove. The distances from the probe positions to the weld corre- sponding to the minimum scanning area should be established by using the notches of the reference block. The scanning area should then be marked on the surface of the test object. Scanning for detection of transverse cracks should be per- formed by moving the probe in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the weld on the machined surface directly below the weld, as shown in Figure 8.11. Figure 8.11. Scanning for transverse cracks. 9 REPORTING 8.6 Examination routines The centre of the weld should be marked on the surface. The minimum scanning area is indicated in Figure 8.9 for probes with short near field lengths, with reference curves established according to Figures 8.5 and 8.6. For probes with longer near field lengths, with reference curves established according to Figures 8.7 and 8.8, the minimum scanning area is indicated in Figure 8.10. The closest probe position corresponds to a The results from the weld examination shall be given in a report which should include all the necessary information required to: (i) Take decisions on acceptance. (ii) Facilitate repair or other remedial actions on unaccept- able structures. (iii) Enable measurements to be repeated in order to check measurement reliability. NORDTEST METHOD NT NDT 013 9 The test report shall therefore include the following informa- tion: (9) Description of calibration block and report on calibration data (1) Job identification (2) Test object identification, drawings and dimensions (3) Date, time and place of the examination (4) Ambient conditions of the examination (5) Name and signature of the operator (6) Relevant material characteristics (7) Surface condition and geometry (8) Data related to equipment, eg. manufacturer, serial no., equipment type, probe description (10) Description of reference blocks and report on reference data (11) Data concerning the results from the examination. (12) Additional data which may concern limitations of the examination because of surface geometry, coating thick- ness or others. (13) Specific requirements agreed upon by the parties in- volved (14) Drawings of affected areas, if required.