ASTM E515-95(2000)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques
Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for detecting or locating leaks, or both, by bubble emission techniques. A quantitative measure is not practical. The normal limit of sensitivity for this test method is 4.5 X 10 -10 mol/s (1 X 10 -5 Std cm /s).
1.2 Two techniques are described:
1.2.1 Immersion technique, and
1.2.2 Liquid application technique. Note-Additional information is available in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article 10-Leak Testing, and Guide E479.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address 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.
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Designation:E515–95 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Test Method for
Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E515; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-L-25567D Leak Detection Compound Oxygen Sys-
1.1 This test method covers procedures for detecting or
tems
locating leaks, or both, by bubble emission techniques. A
quantitative measure is not practical. The normal limit of
3. Terminology
−10 −5
sensitivity for this test method is 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310
2 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this stan-
Std cm /s).
dard, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1.2 Two techniques are described:
1.2.1 Immersion technique, and
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2.2 Liquid application technique.
4.1 The basic principle of this method consists of creating a
NOTE 1—Additional information is available in ASME Boiler and
pressure differential across a leak and observing for bubbles in
Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article 10-Leak Testing, and Guide
a liquid medium located on the low pressure side. The
E479.
sensitivity of the method is dependent on the pressure differ-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
ential,thegasusedtocreatethedifferential,andtheliquidused
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
for testing. As long as the pressure differential can be main-
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
tained across the area to be tested, this method can be used.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
5. Personnel Qualification
limitations prior to use.
5.1 It is recommended that personnel performing leak test-
2. Referenced Documents
ing attend a dedicated training course on the subject and pass
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a written examination.The training course should be appropri-
E479 Guide for Preparation of a Leak Testing Specifica-
ate for NDT level II qualification according to Recommended
tion
Practice No. SNT-TC-1A of the American Society for Nonde-
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
structive Testing or ANSI/ASNT Standard CP-189.
2.2 Other Documents:
6. Significance and Use
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
6.1 The immersion technique is frequently used to locate
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
leaks in sealed containers. Leaks in a container can be seen
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
independently. Leak size can be approximated by the size of
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V,Article
the bubble. It is not suitable for measurement of total system
10-Leak Testing
leakage.
6.2 The liquid film technique is widely applied to compo-
nents and systems that can not easily be immersed and is used
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on
to rapidly locate leaks. An approximation of leak size can be
Non-destructiveTesting and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on
madebasedonthetypeofbubblesformed,butthetechniqueis
Leak Testing.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally
not suitable for measuring leakage rate. It can be used with a
published as E515–74. Last previous edition E515–94.
vacuum box to test vessels which cannot be pressurized or
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference
where only one side is accessible.
temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273)/273.
ref ref
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228–0518.
5 6
Available fromAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street, AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
New York, NY 10017. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E515–95 (2000)
7. Interferences 8.4.1.1 Specimens Sealed at Elevated Pressures—Place the
test specimen or area being tested in the selected test fluid and
7.1 Surface contamination of the test specimen, if small
observe for a minimum period of 2 min. Interpret as leakage a
immersedparts,intheformofgrease,rust,weldslag,etc.,may
stream of bubbles originating from a single point or two or
be a source of bubbles giving false indication of leakage. Test
more bubbles that grow and then release from a single point.
specimens should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid rejection of
8.4.1.2 Very Small Specimens Sealed atAmbient or Reduced
acceptable items.
Pressures—Place the test specimen in a pressure chamber and
7.2 Contaminated detection fluid or one that foams on
expose to an elevated pressure. The actual pressure is depen-
application can cause spurious surface bubbles on the test
dent on the specimens. Place the specimen in the selected test
specimen.
fluidwithin2minafterremovalfromthepressurechamberand
7.3 An excessive vacuum on the low-pressure side when
observe for a minimum period of 2 min. Interpret as leakage a
using the vacuum differential technique may cause the detec-
stream of bubbles originating from a single point.
tion fluid to boil.
8.4.2 Elevated Temperature Test Fluid— Place the test
7.4 Ifthecomponenttobetestedhaspartsmadeofstainless
specimen in the test fluid which is stabilized and maintained at
steel, nickel, or chromium alloys, the test fluid must have a
an elevated temperature at a temperature dependent on the
sulfur and halogen content of less than 10 ppm of each.
specimen. Observe for a stream of bubbles originating from a
7.5 Immediate application of high pressure may cause large
single point or two or more bubbles that grow and then release
leaks to be missed in the liquid application technique.
from a single point. Interpret either as indicating leakage. The
7.6 If the component to be tested has parts made of
time of o
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