ASTM E498/E498M-11

Standard Practice for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer Probe Mode <a href="#fn00002"></a>

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Test Method A is the most frequently used in leak testing components which are structurally capable of being evacuated to pressures of 0.1 Pa (approximately 10−3 torr). Testing of small components can be correlated to calibrated leaks, and the actual leak rate can be measured or acceptance can be based on a maximum allowable leak. For most production needs acceptance is based on acceptance of parts leaking less than an established standard which will ensure safe performance over the projected life of the component. Care must be exercised to ensure that large systems are calibrated with reference leak at a representative place on the test volume. Leak rates are determined by calculating the net gain or loss through a leak in the test part that would cause failure during the expected life of the device.
Test Method B is used for testing vacuum systems either as a step in the final test of a new system or as a maintenance practice on equipment used for manufacturing, environmental test or for conditioning parts. As the volume tends to be large, a check of the response time as well as system sensitivity should be made. Volume of the system in liters divided by the speed of the vacuum pump in L/s will give the response time to reach 63 % of the total signal. Response times in excess of a few seconds makes leak detection difficult.
Test Method C is to be used only when there is no convenient method of connecting the leak detector to the outlet of the high vacuum pump. If a helium leak detector is used and the high vacuum pump is an ion pump or cryopump, leak testing is best accomplished during the roughing cycle as these pumps leave a relatively high percentage of helium in the high vacuum chamber. This will obscure all but large leaks, and the trace gas will quickly saturate the pumps.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for testing and locating the sources of gas leaking at the rate of 1 × 10−8 Pa m3/s (1 × 10−9 Std cm 3/s) or greater. The test may be conducted on any object to be tested that can be evacuated and to the other side of which helium or other tracer gas may be applied.
1.2 Three test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—For the object under test capable of being evacuated, but having no inherent pumping capability.  
1.2.2 Test Method B—For the object under test with integral pumping capability.
1.2.3 Test Method C—For the object under test as in Test Method B, in which the vacuum pumps of the object under test replace those normally used in the leak detector.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec 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: 30-Jun-2011
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.08 - Leak Testing Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E498-95(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer Probe Mode
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2533-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Polymer Matrix Composites Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011

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: E498/E498M − 11
Standard Practice for
Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or
1,2
Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer Probe Mode
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E498/E498M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
4
1.1 This practice covers procedures for testing and locating 2.1 ASTM Standards:
−8 3
the sources of gas leaking at the rate of 1×10 Pa m /s E1316Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
−9
3 3
(1×10 Std cm /s) or greater. The test may be conducted on 2.2 Other Documents:
any object to be tested that can be evacuated and to the other SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
5
side of which helium or other tracer gas may be applied. cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ANSI/ASNT CP-189ASNT Standard for Qualification and
1.2 Three test methods are described:
5
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
1.2.1 Test Method A—For the object under test capable of
being evacuated, but having no inherent pumping capability.
3. Terminology
1.2.2 Test Method B—Fortheobjectundertestwithintegral
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
pumping capability.
practice, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1.2.3 Test Method C—For the object under test as in Test
MethodB,inwhichthevacuumpumpsoftheobjectundertest 4. Summary of Practice
replace those normally used in the leak detector.
4.1 The tests in this practice require a helium leak detector
−9 3
that is capable of detecting a leak of 1×10 Pa m /s
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec units
−10
3 3
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in (1×10 Stdcm /s).
each system may not be exact equivalents: therefore, each
4.2 Test Method A—This test method is used to helium leak
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
test objects that are capable of being evacuated to a reasonable
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
testpressurebytheleakdetectorpumpsinanacceptablelength
with the standard.
of time. This requires that the object be clean and dry.Also to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cope with larger volumes or relatively “dirty” devices, auxil-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the iary vacuum pumps having greater capacity than those in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- mass spectrometer leak detector (MSLD) may be used in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- conjunction with the MSLD. The leak test sensitivity will be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. reduced under these conditions.
4.3 Test Method B—This test method is used to leak test
equipmentthatcanprovideitsownvacuum(thatis,equipment
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
that has a built-in pumping system) at least to a level of a few
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on Leak
hundred pascals (a few torr) or lower.
Testing Method.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
4
in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E498-95 (2006). DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/E0498_E0498M-11. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
(Atmospheric pressure external, vacuum internal). This document covers the Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Tracer Probe Mode described in Terminology E1316. the ASTM website.
3 5
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273)/273. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
ref ref
*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

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E498/E498M − 11
4.4 Test Method C—When a vacuum system is capable of system to be detected by the MSLD. This type of leak occurs
−2 −4
producing internal pressures of less than 2×10 Pa (2×10 frequently under the following conditions:
torr) in the presence of leaks, these leaks may be located and
7.1.1 Double-welded joints and lap welds.
evaluatedbytheus
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E498–95 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Methods for Designation: E498/E498M – 11
Standard Practice for
Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or
,
1 2
Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer Probe Mode
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E498/E498M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
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.
This specificationpractice has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
−14 *
1.1Thesetestmethodscoverproceduresfortestingandlocatingthesourcesofgasleakingattherateof4.5310 mol/s(1310
−8
3 −9
1.1 Thispracticecoversproceduresfortestingandlocatingthesourcesofgasleakingattherateof1 310 Pam /s(1 310
3
3
Std cm /s) or greater.The test may be conducted on any object to be tested that can be evacuated and to the other side of which
helium or other tracer gas may be applied.
1.2 Three test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—For the object under test capable of being evacuated, but having no inherent pumping capability.
1.2.2 Test Method B—For the object under test with integral pumping capability.
1.2.3 Test Method C—FortheobjectundertestasinTestMethodB,inwhichthevacuumpumpsoftheobjectundertestreplace
those normally used in the leak detector.
1.3This 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. A specific hazard statement can be found in 19.2.
1.3 Units—ThevaluesstatedineitherSIorstd-cc/secunitsaretoberegardedseparatelyasstandard.Thevaluesstatedineach
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
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
2.2 Other Documents:
5
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
5
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this standard,practice, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on Leak Testing
Method.
CurrenteditionapprovedDec.July1,2006.2011.PublishedJanuary2007.July2011.Originallyapprovedin1973.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin20002006asE498-95
(2000).(2006). DOI: 10.1520/E0498-95R06.10.1520/E0498_E0498M-11.
2
(Atmospheric pressure external, vacuum internal). This document covers the Tracer Probe Mode described in Terminology E1316.
3
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273)/273.
ref ref
4
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
5
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.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

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E498/E498M – 11
4. Summary of Test Methods
−15 Summary of
4.1These test methods require a helium leak detector that is capable of detecting a leak of 4.5310 mol/s (1310
Practice
−9
3 −10
4.1 The tests in this practice require a helium leak detector that is capable of detecting a leak of 1 310 Pa m /s (1 310
3
3
Std cm /s).
4.2 Test Method A—Thistestmethodisusedtoheliumleaktestobjectst
...