ASTM E515-05

Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The immersion technique is frequently used to locate leaks in sealed containers. Leaks in a container can be seen independently. Leak size can be approximated by the size of the bubble. It is not suitable for measurement of total system leakage.
The liquid film technique is widely applied to components and systems that can not easily be immersed and is used to rapidly locate leaks. An approximation of leak size can be made based on the type of bubbles formed, but the technique is not suitable for measuring leakage rate. It can be used with a vacuum box to test vessels which cannot be pressurized or where only one side is accessible.
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 cm3/s).²
1.2 Two techniques are described:
1.2.1 Immersion technique, and
1.2.2 Liquid application technique.
Note 1—Additional information is available in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article 10-Leak Testing, and Guide E 479.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2005
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.08 - Leak Testing Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E515-95(2000) - Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E543-21 - Standard Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D3078-02(2021)e1 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F1973-21 - Standard Specification for Factory Assembled Anodeless Risers and Transition Fittings in Polyethylene (PE) and Polyamide 11 (PA11) and Polyamide 12 (PA12) Fuel Gas Distribution Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F1948-20 - Standard Specification for Metallic Mechanical Fittings for Use on Outside Diameter Controlled Thermoplastic Gas Distribution Pipe and Tubing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D5641/D5641M-16 - Standard Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evaluation by Vacuum Chamber
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2533-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Polymer Matrix Composites Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005

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:E515–05
Standard Test Method for
1
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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
4
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
1.1 This test method covers procedures for detecting or
ASME Boiler and PressureVessel Code, SectionV,Article
locating leaks, or both, by bubble emission techniques. A
5
10-Leak Testing
quantitative measure is not practical. The normal limit of
−10 −5
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
sensitivity for this test method is 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310
6
3
2 Test Personnel
Std cm /s).
2.3 Military Standard:
1.2 Two techniques are described:
MIL-L-25567D Leak Detection Compound Oxygen Sys-
1.2.1 Immersion technique, and
7
tems
1.2.2 Liquid application technique.
NOTE 1—Additional information is available in ASME Boiler and 3. Terminology
Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article 10-Leak Testing, and Guide
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
E479.
method, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
4. Summary of Test Method
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
4.1 The basic principle of this method consists of creating a
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
pressure differential across a leak and observing for bubbles in
limitations prior to use.
a liquid medium located on the low pressure side. The
sensitivity of the method is dependent on the pressure differ-
2. Referenced Documents
ential,thegasusedtocreatethedifferential,andtheliquidused
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
for testing. As long as the pressure differential can be main-
E479 Guide for Preparation of a Leak Testing Specification
tained across the area to be tested, this method can be used.
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestruc-
5. Basis of Application
tive Testing
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
5.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
2.2 Other Documents:
ment between the parties using or referencing this test method:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
5.2 Personnel Qualifications
4
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
5.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement. Personnel
performing examinations to this test method shall be qualified
in accordance with a nationally or internationally recognized
NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such as
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on
ANSI/ASNTCP-189,SNT-TC-1A,NAS-410,orsimilardocu-
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on
Leak Testing.
ment and certified by the employer or certifying agency, as
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
applicable. The practice or standard used and its applicable
approvedin1974.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2000asE515-95(2000).DOI:
revision shall be identified in the contractual agreement.
10.1520/E0515-05.
2
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
3 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available fromAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM New York, NY 10017.
6
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1250
the ASTM website. Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.
4 7
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228–0518. 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.
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E515–05
5.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified inside the test specimen, creating a pressure differential. This
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified technique is usually limited to use on very small parts.
and evaluated as described in Practice E543. The applicable
8.2.3 Vacuum Technique—Immerse the test specimen in the
edition of Practice
...