ASTM E2373/E2373M-14

Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice provides general principles for the application of the Time-of-Flight Diffraction Technique as a tool for detection and sizing of discontinuities.  
4.2 TOFD is a nondestructive ultrasonic examination technique that is not based on amplitude response. However, sufficient sensitivity is required to identify indications for evaluation.  
4.3 Techniques used are typically applied to welded joints in carbon steel but the principles may be applicable to other applications including other materials with suitable validation procedures agreeable to the contracting parties.  
4.4 In addition to a stand-alone ultrasonic detection technique TOFD may be used in conjunction with weld examinations such as those described in Practices E164 and E1961 where it may be used to improve sizing estimates of flaws detected by the manual or mechanized pulse-echo techniques and help discriminate between flaws and geometric reflectors.  
4.5 The technique has proven effective on thicknesses from 9 to 300 mm [0.375 to 12 in.]. TOFD has been used on thicknesses outside of this range but special considerations are necessary. Techniques developed outside of this range of thickness shall be demonstrated as capable of meeting the required detection and sizing requirements of the specification used.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes the requirements for developing ultrasonic examination procedures using the ultrasonic technique known as Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD).  
1.2 Consistent with ASTM Policy, TOFD may be regarded as an ultrasonic test method whereby the qualities and characteristics of the item tested are evaluated, measured and in some cases identified. Measurements may be subject to precision and bias that may be determined statistically or as a function of some parameter(s) such as wavelength. This practice may be used for applications that would be qualitative and properly addressed as examinations as well as quantitative and more properly addressed as tests.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2014
• ICS: 25.160.40 - Welded joints and welds
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.06 - Ultrasonic Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2373-09 - Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2014
• Replaced By: ASTM E2373/E2373M-19 - Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E3166-20e1 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Metal Additively Manufactured Aerospace Parts After Build
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2373/E2373M − 14
Standard Practice for
Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD)
1
Technique
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2373/E2373M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* E1316Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1324GuideforMeasuringSomeElectronicCharacteristics
1.1 This practice establishes the requirements for develop-
of Ultrasonic Testing Instruments
ing ultrasonic examination procedures using the ultrasonic
E1961Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth
technique known as Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD).
Welds Using Zonal Discrimination with Focused Search
1.2 Consistent with ASTM Policy, TOFD may be regarded
Units
as an ultrasonic test method whereby the qualities and charac- 3
2.2 ASNT Documents:
teristicsoftheitemtestedareevaluated,measuredandinsome
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive
casesidentified.Measurementsmaybesubjecttoprecisionand
Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
bias that may be determined statistically or as a function of
ANSI/ASNT CP-189Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
some parameter(s) such as wavelength. This practice may be
cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
used for applications that would be qualitative and properly 4
2.3 Aerospace Industries Association Document:
addressed as examinations as well as quantitative and more
NAS-410Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
properly addressed as tests.
Testing Personnel
5
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
2.4 ISO Standard:
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
ISO 9712Non-destructive Testing—Qualification and Cer-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
tification of NDT Personnel
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
2.5 Other Documents:
6
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Code Case 2235ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
with the standard.
EN583-6 Non-destructiveTesting:UltrasonicExamination.
Time-of-flight Diffraction Technique as a Method for
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Detection and Sizing of Discontinuities
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1 Definitions—Related terminology is defined in Termi-
nology E1316.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 B-scan display—a sectional view of the plotted in-
E164Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Weldments
spection data formed by the stacking of A-scans. (Some users
E543Specification forAgencies Performing Nondestructive
refer to stacked A-scans from non-parallel scans as D-scans
Testing
and reserve those used with parallel scans as B-scans.)
E1065Practice for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic
3.2.2 back-wall echo—a specular reflection from the back-
Search Units
wall of the component being examined (usually assumed to be
a plate).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on
3
Ultrasonic Method. AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
Current edition approved June 1, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
4
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2373-09. DOI: Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1000
10.1520/E2373_E2373M-14. WilsonBlvd.,Suite1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
2 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
6
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME
the ASTM website. International, 22 Law Drive, Box 2900, Fairfield, NJ 07007-2900.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2373/E2373M − 14
3.2.3 l
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2373 − 09 E2373/E2373M − 14
Standard Practice for
Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD)
1
Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2373;E2373/E2373M; 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.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This practice establishes the requirements for developing ultrasonic examination procedures using the ultrasonic technique
known as Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD).
1.2 Consistent with ASTM Policy, TOFD may be regarded as an ultrasonic test method whereby the qualities and characteristics
of the item tested are evaluated, measured and in some cases identified. Measurements may be subject to precision and bias that
may be determined statistically or as a function of some parameter(s) such as wavelength. This practice may be used for
applications that would be qualitative and properly addressed as examinations as well as quantitative and more properly addressed
as tests.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. Inch-pound units are provided for
information.separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E164 Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Weldments
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
E1065 Practice for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic Search Units
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1324 Guide for Measuring Some Electronic Characteristics of Ultrasonic Testing Instruments
E1961 Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth Welds Using Zonal Discrimination with Focused Search Units
3
2.2 ASNT Documents:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
4
2.3 Aerospace Industries Association Document:
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
5
2.4 ISO Standard:
ISO 9712 Non-destructive Testing—Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
2.5 Other Documents:
BS 7706 (1993) Guide to Calibration and Setting-up of the Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique for
5
Detection, Location and Sizing of Flaws, British Standards Institute, 1993
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on Ultrasonic Method.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009June 1, 2014. Published July 2009June 2014. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
E2373 - 04.E2373 - 09. DOI: 10.1520/E2373-09.10.1520/E2373_E2373M-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
4
Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
5
Available from BSI Management Systems, 12110 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 140, Reston VA 20190.International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de la
Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2373/E2373M − 14
6
Code Case 2235 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
EN 583-6 Non-destructive Testing: Ul
...