ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023)

Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications

ABSTRACT
This procedure covers the standard and acceptance standards for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examination of rolled carbon and alloy steel plates. The amplitude linearity of the apparatus to be used shall be checked by positioning the transducer over the depth resolution notch in the IIW or similar block. The inspection shall be performed in an area free of operations that interfere with proper performance of the test. The test shall be performed either by direct contact, immersion, or liquid column coupling. Grid scanning shall be conducted along a continuous perpendicular line on the center. All discontinuities causing complete loss of reflection shall be recorded.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers the procedure and acceptance standards for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examination of rolled carbon and alloy steel plates, 3/8 in. [10 mm] in thickness and over, for special applications. The method will detect internal discontinuities parallel to the rolled surfaces. Three levels of acceptance standards are provided. Supplementary requirements are provided for alternative procedures.  
1.2 Individuals performing examinations in accordance with this specification shall be qualified and certified in accordance with the requirements of the latest edition of ASNT SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent accepted standard. An equivalent standard is one which covers the qualification and certification of ultrasonic nondestructive examination candidates and which is acceptable to the purchaser.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2023
• ICS: 77.040.20 - Non-destructive testing of metals
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.11 - Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A578/A578M-17 - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E1316-24 - Standard Terminology for <?Pub Dtl?>Nondestructive Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E1316-23b - Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A737/A737M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, High-Strength, Low-Alloy Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A264-12(2019) - Standard Specification for Stainless Chromium-Nickel Steel-Clad Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A841/A841M-17 - Standard Specification for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels, Produced by Thermo-Mechanical Control Process (TMCP)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A671/A671M-20 - Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for Atmospheric and Lower Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A204/A204M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Molybdenum
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A832/A832M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum-Vanadium
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A299/A299M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, Manganese-Silicon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM B432-19 - Standard Specification for Copper and Copper Alloy Clad Steel Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A265-12(2019) - Standard Specification for Nickel and Nickel-Base Alloy-Clad Steel Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A736/A736M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A225/A225M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Manganese-Vanadium-Nickel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A537/A537M-20 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Heat-Treated, Carbon-Manganese-Silicon Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023), titled Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications, establishes procedures and acceptance standards for ultrasonic testing of rolled carbon and alloy steel plates. Applicable to plate thicknesses of 10 mm (3/8 in.) and above, this standard focuses on detecting internal discontinuities that are parallel to the rolled surfaces.

The straight-beam, pulse-echo ultrasonic examination method outlined in this ASTM standard ensures thorough inspection for special applications requiring high reliability, such as pressure vessels and critical industrial components. The document provides three levels of acceptance standards, allowing for flexible compliance depending on application-specific quality and safety requirements.

Key Topics

• Applicability: Rolled carbon and alloy steel plates, 10 mm (3/8 in.) and thicker, for special applications.
• Examination Method: Straight-beam, pulse-echo ultrasonic testing to detect discontinuities parallel to plate surfaces.
• Acceptance Levels: Three detailed levels (A, B, C) define criteria for discontinuity evaluation and plate acceptance.
• Personnel Qualification: Examinations must be performed by certified personnel per ASNT SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent standard.
• Test Conditions: Testing is to be conducted in areas free from interference, with surface preparation and couplant requirements to ensure test reliability.
• Scanning Techniques: Continuous perpendicular grid scanning or parallel path scanning methods are specified for thorough coverage.
• Reporting Requirements: All significant recordable indications and test parameters must be documented; marking approved plates is required.
• Supplementary Requirements: Additional provisions for 100% scanning, surface finish, and calibration using flat bottom hole reference reflectors are included when specified by the purchaser.

Applications

The ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023) standard is vital for industries where steel plate integrity is critical to safety and performance, including:

• Pressure Vessel Manufacturing: Ensures steel plates used in boilers and pressure vessels are free from harmful internal defects that could compromise integrity.
• Power Generation: Applies to plates used in nuclear and conventional power plant construction, where material quality directly affects operational safety.
• Petrochemical and Chemical Processing: Relevant for storage tank and reactor components that experience high pressure and aggressive environments.
• Shipbuilding and Offshore Structures: Used in critical marine and offshore platform applications requiring stringent material quality.
• Heavy Equipment and Industrial Machinery: Supports the manufacture of components where mechanical reliability is essential.

Meeting the requirements of ASTM A578/A578M helps manufacturers, purchasers, and regulatory bodies ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and reduced risk of failure due to undetected internal defects.

Related Standards

Several international and national standards complement or reference ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023) in material inspection and nondestructive testing:

• ASNT SNT-TC-1A: Personnel qualification and certification for ultrasonic nondestructive examination.
• ASTM E317: Practice for evaluating performance characteristics of ultrasonic pulse-echo testing instruments.
• ASTM E1316: Standard terminology for nondestructive examinations.
• ASTM E2491: Guide for evaluating phased-array ultrasonic testing instruments.
• ASTM A263, A264, A265: Specifications for various clad plate materials.
• ANSI B46.1: Standard for surface texture requirements.
• ASME SA-578/SA-578M: Equivalent specification within the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

These standards provide a comprehensive framework for steel plate ultrasonic testing and ensure consistency and reliability across industries and global supply chains.

---

Keywords: ASTM A578, ultrasonic examination, steel plate testing, straight-beam ultrasonic, nondestructive testing, pressure vessel steel, acceptance standards, special applications, ASNT SNT-TC-1A, rolled carbon steel, alloy steel plates.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A578/A578M − 17 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates
for Special Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A578/A578M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This specification covers the procedure and acceptance 2.1 ASTM Standards:
standards for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examina- A263 Specification for Stainless Chromium Steel-Clad Plate
tion of rolled carbon and alloy steel plates, ⁄8 in. [10 mm] in A264 Specification for Stainless Chromium-Nickel Steel-
thickness and over, for special applications. The method will Clad Plate
detect internal discontinuities parallel to the rolled surfaces. A265 Specification for Nickel and Nickel-Base Alloy-Clad
Three levels of acceptance standards are provided. Supplemen- Steel Plate
tary requirements are provided for alternative procedures. E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems
1.2 Individuals performing examinations in accordance with
without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
this specification shall be qualified and certified in accordance
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
with the requirements of the latest edition of ASNT SNT-
E2491 Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
TC-1A or an equivalent accepted standard. An equivalent
Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
standard is one which covers the qualification and certification
of ultrasonic nondestructive examination candidates and which 2.2 ANSI Standard:
B 46.1 Surface Texture
is acceptable to the purchaser.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 2.3 ASNT Standard:
SNT-TC-1A
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
3. Terminology
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to nonde-
with the standard.
structive examinations used in this specification, refer to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Terminology E1316.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Ordering Information
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 The inquiry and order shall indicate the following:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1.1 Acceptance level requirements (Sections 8, 9, and 10).
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Acceptance Level B shall apply unless otherwise agreed to by
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
purchaser and manufacturer.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.2 Any additions to the provisions of this specification as
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
prescribed in 6.2, 14.1, and Section 11.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.3 Supplementary requirements, if any.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 3
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A578/A578M – 17. Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/A0578_A0578M-17R23. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
2 5
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi- Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
cation SA-578/SA-578M in Section II of that Code. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A578/A578M − 17 (2023)
5. Apparatus side of a sound area of the plate from 50 % to 90 % of full
scale. Minor sensitivity adjustments may be made to accom-
5.1 The ultrasonic instrument shall be a pulse echo type
modate for surface roughness.
instrument capable of addressing either a mono-element probe
6.6.3 When a discontinuity condition is observed during
or a phased-array probe and shall be equipped with a standard-
general scanning adjust the instrument to produce a first
ized dB gain or attenuation control stepped in increments of
reflection from the opposite side of a sound area of the plate of
1 dB minimum. The system shall be capable of generating and
75 % 6 5 % of full scale. Maintain this instrument setting
displaying A-scans.
during evaluation of the discontinuity condition.
5.2 Vertical and horizontal linearity and amplitude control
7. Recording
linearity shall be checked in accordance with Practice E317,
Guide E2491, or another procedure approved by the users of
7.1 Record all discontinuities causing complete loss of back
this specification. An acceptable linearity performance may be reflection.
agreed upon by the manufacturer and purchaser.
7.2 For plates ⁄4 in. [20 mm] thick and over, record all
5.3 The transducer shall be 1 in. or 1 ⁄8 in. [25 mm or indications with amplitudes equal to or greater than 50 % of the
30 mm] in diameter or 1 in. [25 mm] square. When phased- initial back reflection and accompanied by a 50 % loss of back
array systems are used, focal laws using an equivalent active reflection.
aperture shall be used.
NOTE 1—Indications occurring midway between the initial pulse and
the first back reflection may cause a second reflection at the location of the
5.4 Other search units may be used for evaluating and
first back reflection. When this condition is observed it shall be investi-
pinpointing indications.
gated additionally by use of multiple back reflections.
7.3 Where grid scanning is performed and recordable con-
6. Procedure
ditions as in 7.1 and 7.2 are detected along a given grid line, the
6.1 Perform the inspection in an area free of operations that
entire surface area of the squares adjacent to this indication
interfere with proper performance of the test.
shall be scanned. Where parallel path scanning is performed
and recordable conditions as in 7.1 and 7.2 are detected, the
6.2 Unless otherwise specified, make the ultrasonic exami-
entire surface area of a 9-in. by 9-in. [225 mm by 225 mm]
nation on either major surface of the plate.
square centered on this indication shall be scanned. The true
6.3 The plate surface shall be sufficiently clean and smooth
boundaries where these conditions exist shall be established in
to maintain a first reflection from the opposite side of the plate
either method by the following technique: Move the transducer
at least 50 % of full scale during scanning. This may involve
away from the center of the discontinuity until the height of the
suitable means of scale removal at the manufacturer’s option.
back reflection and discontinuity indications are equal. Mark
Condition local rough surfaces by grinding. Restore any
the plate at a point equivalent to the center of the transducer.
specified identification which is removed when grinding to
Repeat the operation to establish the boundary.
achieve proper surface smoothness.
8. Acceptance Standard—Level A
6.4 Perform the test by one of the following methods: direct
8.1 Any area where one or more discontinuities produce a
contact, immersion, or liquid column coupling. Use a suitable
continuous total loss of back reflection accompanied by con-
couplant such as water, soluble oil, or glycerin. As a result of
tinuous indications on the same plane (within 5 % of plate
the test by this method, the surface of plates may be expected
thickness) that cannot be encompassed within a circle whose
to have a residue of oil or rust or both.
diameter is 3 in. [75 mm] or ⁄2 of the plate thickness, which-
6.5 A nominal test frequency of 2 ⁄4 MHz is recommended.
ever is greater, is unacceptable.
When testing plates less than ⁄4 in. [20 mm] thick a frequency
of 5 MHz may be necessary. Thickness, grain size or micro-
9. Acceptance Standards—Level B
structure of the material and nature of the equipment or method
9.1 Any area where one or more discontinuities produce a
may require a higher or lower test frequency. Use the trans-
continuous total loss of back reflection accompanied by con-
ducers at their rated frequency. A clean, easily interpreted
tinuous indications on the same plane (within 5 % of plate
A-scan display should be produced during the examination.
thickness) that cannot be encompassed within a circle whose
6.6 Scanning: diameter is 3 in. [75 mm] or ⁄2 of the plate thickness, which-
ever is greater, is unacceptable.
6.6.1 Scanning shall be along continuous perpendicular grid
lines on nominal 9-in. [225 mm] centers, or at the option of the
9.2 In addition, two or more discontinuities smaller than
manufacturer, shall be along continuous parallel paths, trans-
described in 9.1 shall be unacceptable unless separated by a
verse to the major plate axis, on nominal 4-in. [100 mm]
minimum distance equal to the greatest diameter of the larger
centers, or shall be along continuous parallel paths parallel to
discontinuity or unless they may be collectively encompassed
the major plate axis, on 3-in. [75 mm] or smaller centers.
by the circle described in 9.1.
Measure the lines from the center or one corner of the plate
10. Acceptance Standard—Level C
with an additional path within 2 in. [50 mm] of all edges of the
plate on the examination surface. 10.1 Any area where one or more discontinuities produce a
6.6.2 Conduct the general scanning with an instrument continuous total loss of back reflection accompanied by con-
adjustment that will produce a first reflection from the opposite tinuous indications on the same plane (within 5 % of plate
A578/A578M − 17 (2023)
thickness) that cannot be encompassed within a 1-in. [25 mm] at the place of manufacture prior to shipment, unless otherwise
diameter circle is unacceptable. specified, and shall be conducted without interfering unneces-
sarily with the manufacturer’s operations.
11. Report
11.1 Unless otherwise agreed to by the purchaser and the 13. Rehearing
manufacturer, the manufacturer shall report the following data:
13.1 The manufacturer reserves the right to discuss reject-
11.1.1 All recordable indications listed in Section 7 on a
able ultrasonically tested plate with the purchaser with the
sketch of the plate with sufficient data to relate the geometry
object of possible repair of the
...