ASTM E703-09

Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Nonferrous Metals

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Absolute and comparative methods provide a measure for sorting large quantities of nonferrous parts or stock with regard to composition or condition, or both.
The comparative or two-coil method is used when high-sensitivity examination is required. The advantage of this method is that it almost completely suppresses interferences.
The ability to accomplish these types of separations satisfactorily is dependent upon the relation of the electric characteristics of the nonferrous parts to their physical condition.
These methods may be used for high-speed sorting in a fully automated setup where the speed of examination may approach many specimens per second depending on their size and shape.
Successful sorting of nonferrous material depends mainly on the variables present in the sample and the proper selection of frequency and fill factor.
The accuracy of a sort will be affected greatly by the coupling between the test coil field and the examined part during the measuring period.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for sorting nonferrous metals using the electromagnetic (eddy-current) method. The procedure is intended for use with instruments using absolute or comparator-type coils for distinguishing variations in mass, shape, conductivity, and other variables such as alloy, heat treatment, or hardness that may be closely correlated with the electrical properties of the material. Selection of samples to evaluate sorting feasibility and to establish standards is also described.  
1.2 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-2009
• ICS: 77.120.01 - Non-ferrous metals in general
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.07 - Electromagnetic Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E703-98(2004)e1 - Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Nonferrous Metals
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM E703-14 - Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Sorting of Nonferrous Metals
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E543-21 - Standard Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E1476-04(2022) - Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009

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: E703 − 09
StandardPractice for
Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Nonferrous
1
Metals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E703; 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.
4
1. Scope 2.3 AIA Standard:
NAS-410 Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for sorting nonfer-
Testing Personnel
rous metals using the electromagnetic (eddy-current) method.
The procedure is intended for use with instruments using
3. Definitions
absolute or comparator-type coils for distinguishing variations
in mass, shape, conductivity, and other variables such as alloy,
3.1 Standard terminology relating to electromagnetic ex-
heat treatment, or hardness that may be closely correlated with amination may be found in Terminology E1316, Section C:
the electrical properties of the material. Selection of samples to
Electromagnetic Testing.
evaluate sorting feasibility and to establish standards is also
described.
4. Summary of Practice
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The techniques that are primarily used in electromag-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
netic sorting employ the absolute (single-) and comparative
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(two-) coil methods using either encircling or probe coils. The
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
decision of whether to use single-coil or two-coil operation is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
usually based on empirical data. In the absolute-coil method
(encircling or probe), the equipment is standardized by placing
2. Referenced Documents
standards of known properties in the test coil. The value of the
2
examined electrical parameter, which may be correlated with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
alloy, heat treatment temper, or hardness, is read on the display
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
of an indicator. In the comparative coil method (encircling or
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
probe coils), the test specimen in one coil is compared with a
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
reference piece in a second coil to determine whether the test
Lot or Process
specimen is within or outside of the required limits.
E543 Specification forAgencies Performing Nondestructive
4.1.1 Absolute Coil Method:
Testing
4.1.1.1 Encircling Coil—Samples of known classification
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
3 (standards) are inserted consecutively in the test coil, and the
2.2 ASNT Documents:
controls of the instrument are adjusted to obtain an appropriate
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
response. Typically, three samples would be used representing
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
the upper, lower, and mid-range for which standardization is
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
required. The examination is then conducted by inserting the
cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
specimens to be sorted into the test coil, and observing the
instrument response.
4.1.1.2 Probe Coil—The probe coil is placed consecutively
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
on the standards of known properties and the controls of the
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on
instrument are adjusted for appropriate response (see 4.1.1.1).
Electromagnetic Method.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally
The examination is then conducted by placing the probe on the
´1
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E703 - 98(2004) .
specimens to be sorted and observing the instrument response.
DOI: 10.1520/E0703-09.
4.1.2 Comparative Coil Method:
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 4
AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1000
28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org. WilsonBlvd.,Suite1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E703 − 09
4.1.2.1 Encircling Coil—Kn
...

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.
´1
Designation:E703–98 (Reapproved 2004) Designation: E 703 – 09
Standard Practice for
Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Nonferrous
1
Metals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 703; 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
´ NOTE—Editorially replaced the terms calibration with standardization and test with examination where applicable in January
2004.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for sorting nonferrous metals using the electromagnetic (eddy-current) method. The
procedureisintendedforusewithinstrumentsusingabsoluteorcomparator-typecoilsfordistinguishingvariationsinmass,shape,
conductivity, and other variables such as alloy, heat treatment, or hardness that may be closely correlated with the electrical
properties of the material. Selection of samples to evaluate sorting feasibility and to establish standards is also described.
1.2 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:
E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling ofOf Materials
E 122 PracticeforChoiceofSampleSizetoEstimateaMeasureofQualityforaLotorProcessPracticeforCalculatingSample
Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process
E 543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
3
2.2 ASNT Documents:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
4
2.3 AIA Standard:
NAS-410 Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
3. Terminology Definitions
3.1Definitions of terms relating to electromagnetic examination are given in Terminology E1316.
3.1 Standard terminology relating to electromagnetic examination may be found in Terminology E 1316, Section C:
Electromagnetic Testing.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The techniques that are primarily used in electromagnetic sorting employ the absolute (single-) and comparative (two-) coil
methods using either encircling or probe coils. The decision of whether to use single-coil or two-coil operation is usually based
on empirical data. In the absolute-coil method (encircling or probe), the equipment is standardized by placing standards of known
properties in the test coil. The value of the examined electrical parameter, which may be correlated with alloy, heat treatment
temper, or hardness, is read on the display of an indicator. In the comparative coil method (encircling or probe coils), the test
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on Electromagnetic
Methods.
Current edition approved January 1, 2004. Published February 2004. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E703-98.on Electromagnetic
Method.
´1
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E 703 - 98(2004) .
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E703–09
specimeninonecoiliscomparedwithareferencepieceinasecondcoiltodeterminewhetherthetestspecimeniswithinoroutside
of the required limits.
4.1.1 Absolute Coil Method:
4.1.1.1 Encircling Coil—Samplesofknownclassification(standards)arei
...