ASTM E587-00

Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination by the Contact Method

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers ultrasonic examination of materials by the pulse-echo technique, using continuous coupling of angular incident ultrasonic vibrations.  
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: 09-Feb-2000
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• ICS: 77.040.20 - Non-destructive testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.06 - Ultrasonic Method

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E587-00(2005) - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination by the Contact Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E164-19 - Standard Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Weldments
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1962-19 - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Surface Testing Using Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Techniques
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2223-13(2022) - Standard Practice for Examination of Seamless, Gas-Filled, Steel Pressure Vessels Using Angle Beam Ultrasonics
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2700-20 - Standard Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Welds Using Phased Arrays
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E543-21 - Standard Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1816-18(2022) - Standard Practice for Measuring thickness by Pulse-Echo Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Methods
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3166-20e1 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Metal Additively Manufactured Aerospace Parts After Build
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2000

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E587–00
Standard Practice for
Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination by the Contact Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 587; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope NAS 410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
Testing Personnel
1.1 This practice covers ultrasonic examination of materials
by the pulse-echo technique, using continuous coupling of
3. Terminology
angular incident ultrasonic vibrations.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are regarded as
tice, see Terminology E 1316.
standard. The SI equivalents are in parentheses and may be
approximate.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 An electrical pulse is applied to a piezoelectric trans-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ducer which converts electrical to mechanical energy. In the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
angle-beam search unit, the piezoelectric element is generally
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a thickness expander which creates compressions and rarefac-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tions.Thislongitudinal(compressional)wavetravelsthrougha
2. Referenced Documents wedge (generally a plastic). The angle between transducer face
and the examination face of the wedge is equal to the angle
2.1 ASTM Standards:
between the normal (perpendicular) to the examination surface
E 114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam
2 and the incident beam. Fig. 1 shows the incident angle f, and
i
Examination by the Contact Method
the refracted angle f , of the ultrasonic beam.
r
E 317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics
4.2 When the examination face of the angle-beam search
of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Systems Without the Use
2 unit is coupled to a material, ultrasonic waves may travel in the
of Electronic Measurement Instruments
material. As shown in Fig. 2, the angle in the material
E 543 Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
2 (measured from the normal to the examination surface) and
Testing
2 mode of vibration are dependent on the wedge angle, the
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
ultrasonic velocity in the wedge, and the velocity of the wave
2.2 ASNT Documents:
in the examined material. When the material is thicker than a
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive
3 few wavelengths, the waves traveling in the material may be
Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
longitudinal and shear, shear alone, shear and Rayleigh, or
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certi-
3 Rayleigh alone. Total reflection may occur at the interface.
fication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
(Refer to Fig. 3.) In thin materials (up to a few wavelengths
2.3 Military Standards:
thick), the waves from the angle-beam search unit traveling in
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualifica-
the material may propagate in different Lamb wave modes.
tion and Certification
4.3 All ultrasonic modes of vibration may be used for
2.4 Aerospace Industries Association Document:
angle-beam examination of material. The material forms and
the probable flaw locations and orientations determine selec-
tion of beam directions and modes of vibration. The use of
angle beams and the selection of the proper wave mode
presuppose a knowledge of the geometry of the object; the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on Nonde-
probable location, size, orientation, and reflectivity of the
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on
expected flaws; and the laws of physics governing the propa-
Ultrasonic Method.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally
gation of ultrasonic waves. Characteristics of the examination
published as E 587 – 76. Last previous edition E 587 – 94.
system used and the ultrasonic properties of the material being
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc., 1711
Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228.
4 5
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700 AvailablefromAerospaceIndustriesAssociationofAmerica,Inc.,1250EyeSt.
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. NW, Washington D.C. 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E587–00
and plate edge. Generally, laminations should be detected and
evaluated by the straight-beam technique. Angle-beam shear
waves applied to weld testing will detect incomplete penetra-
tion (as shown in Fig. 12) by corner reflection, incomplete
fusion (as shown in Fig. 13) by direct reflection (when the
beam angle is chosen to be normal to the plane of the weld
preparation), slag inclusion by cylindrical reflection (as shown
in Fig. 14), porosity by spherical reflection, and cracks (as
shown in Fig. 15) by direct or corner reflection, depending on
their orientation. Angle-beam shear waves of 80 to 85° are
frequently accompanied by a Rayleigh wave traveling on the
surface. Confusion created by two beams at slightly different
FIG. 1 Refraction
angles, traveling at different velocities, has limited applications
in this range of angle beams.
examined must be known or determined. Some materials,
4.3.3 Surface-Beam Rayleigh Waves—Surface-beam Ray-
because of unique microstructure, are difficult to examine
leigh waves travel at 90° to the normal of the examination
using ultrasonics. Austenitic material, particularly weld mate-
surface on the examination surface. In material greater than
rial, is one example of this material condition. Caution should
two wavelengths thick, the energy of the Rayleigh wave
be exercised when establishing examination practices for these
penetrates to a depth of approximately one wavelength; but,
type materials. While examination may be possible, sensitivity
duetotheexponentialdistributionoftheenergy,onehalfofthe
will be inferior to that achievable on ferritic materials. When
energyiswithinone-quarterwavelengthofthesurface.Surface
examining materials with unique microstructures, empirical
cracks with length perpendicular to the Rayleigh wave can be
testing should be performed to assure that the examination will
detected and their depth evaluated by changing the frequency
achieve the desired sensitivity. This may be accomplished by
of the Rayleigh wave, thus changing its wavelength and depth
incorporatingknownreflectorsinamockupoftheweldorpart
of penetration. Wavelength equals velocity divided by fre-
to be examined.
quency.
4.3.1 Angle-Beam Longitudinal Waves— As shown in Fig.
V
4, angle-beam longitudinal waves with refracted angles in the
l5
f
range from 1 to 40° (where coexisting angle-beam shear waves
are weak, as shown in Fig. 3) may be used to detect fatigue
Subsurface reflectors may be detected by Rayleigh waves if
cracks in axles and shafts from the end by direct reflection or
they lie within one wavelength of the surface.
by corner reflection. As shown in Fig. 5, with a crossed-beam
4.3.4 Lamb Waves—Lamb waves travel at 90° to the normal
dual-transducer search unit configuration, angle-beam longitu-
of the test surface and fill thin materials with elliptical particle
dinal waves may be used to measure thickness or to detect
vibrations.These vibrations occur in various numbers of layers
reflectors parallel to the examination surface, such as lamina-
and travel at velocities varying from slower than Rayleigh up
tions. As shown in Fig. 6, reflectors with a major plane at an
to nearly longitudinal wave velocity, depending on material
angle up to 40° with respect to the examination surface,
thickness and examination frequency. Asymmetrical-type
provide optimum reflection to an angle-beam longitudinal
Lamb waves have an odd number of elliptical layers of
wave that is normal to the plane of the reflector. Angle-beam
vibration, while symmetrical-type Lamb waves have an even
longitudinal waves in the range from 45 to 85° become weaker
number of elliptical layers of vibration. Lamb waves are most
as the angle increases; at the same time, the coexisting
useful in materials up to five wavelengths thick (based on
angle-beam shear waves become stronger. Equal amplitude
Rayleigh wave velocity in a thick specimen of the same
angle beams of approximately 55° longitudinal wave and 29°
material). They will detect surface imperfections on both the
shear wave will coexist in the material, as shown in Fig. 7.
examination and opposite surfaces. Centrally located lamina-
Confusion created by two beams traveling at different angles
tions are best detected with the first or second mode asym-
and at different velocities has limited use of this range of angle
metrical Lamb waves (one or three elliptical layers). Small
beams.
thickness changes are best detected with the third or higher
4.3.2 Angle-Beam Shear Waves (Transverse Waves)—
mode symmetrical or asymmetrical-type Lamb waves (five or
Angle-beam shear waves in the range from 40 to 75° are the
more elliptical layers). A change in plate thickness causes a
most used angle beams. They will detect imperfections in
change of vibrational mode just as a lamination causes a mode
materials by corner reflection and reradiation (as shown in Fig.
change. The mode conversion is imperfect and may produce
8) if the plane of the reflector is perpendicular to a material
indications at the leading and the trailing edges of the lamina-
surface, and by direct reflection if the ultrasonic beam is
tion or the thin area.
normal to the plane of the reflector (as shown in Fig. 9).
Reflectors parallel to the examination surface (such as lamina-
5. Basis of Application
tions in plate, as shown in Fig. 10) can rarely be detected by an
angle beam unless accompanied by another reflector; for 5.1 Purchaser-Supplier Agreements: The following items
example, a lamination at the edge of a plate (as shown in Fig. require agreement between using parties for this practice to be
11) can be detected by corner reflection from the lamination used effectively:
E587–00
FIG. 2 Mode of Vibration
FIG. 3 Effective Angles in the Steel versus Wedge Angles in Acrylic Plastic
FIG. 4 Axle
FIG. 6 Angle Longitudinal
FIG. 5 Thickness
FIG. 7 Coincident Beams
5.1.1 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the contrac-
NAS-410, however, it may be used with agreement between contracting
tual agreement, personnel performing examinations to this
parties.
practice shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally
5.1.2 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If speci-
recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or standard
fied in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be
such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, MIL STD-410,
qualified and evaluated as described in Practice E 543. The
NAS-410, or a similar document and certified by the employer
applicable edition of Practice E 543 shall be specified in the
or certifying agency, as applicable. The practice or standard
contractual agreement.
used and its applicable revision shall be identified in the
5.2 For material with unique microstructures as described in
contractual agreement between the using parties.
4.3, a technique and procedure shall be agreed upon between
NOTE 1—MIL STD-410 is canceled and has been replaced with contracting parties.
E587–00
FIG. 12 Incomplete Penetration
FIG. 8 Corner
FIG. 13 Incomplete Fusion
FIG. 9 Normal Plane
FIG. 14 Slag and Porosity
FIG. 10 Laminar
FIG. 15 Cracks
FIG. 11 Edge Lamination
examination surface to permit the transmission of ultrasonic
6. Apparatus
waves from the search unit into the material under examina-
6.1 A complete ultrasonic system shall include the follow- tion. Typical couplants include glycerin, water, cellulose gel,
ing: oil, water-soluble oils, and grease. Corrosion inhibitors or
6.1.1 Instrumentation—The ultrasonic instrument shall be wetting agents or both may be used. Couplants must be
capable of generating, receiving, amplifying, and displaying selected that are not detrimental to the product or the process.
high-frequency electrical pulses. The couplant used in standardization should be used for the
6.1.2 Search Units—The ultrasonic search units shall be examination. The standardization and examination surface
capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in the temperatures should be within 625°F (14°C) to avoid large
material at frequencies and energy levels necessary for discon- attenuation and velocity differences in the wedge material.
tinuity detection as determined by the standardization proce- 6.1.3.1 The coupling medium should be selected so that its
dure. The search units are fitted with wedges in order to viscosity is appropriate for the surface finish of the material to
transmit ultrasonic waves into the examination object at the be examined. The examination of rough surfaces generally
desired angle and mode of operation. requires a high-viscosity couplant. The temperature of the
6.1.3 Couplant—Acouplant, usually a liquid or semiliquid, material’s surface can change the couplant’s viscosity. As an
is required between the face of the search unit and the example, in the case of oil and greases, see Table 1.
E587–00
TABLE 1 Suggested Viscosities—Oil Couplants
7.2.1 Angle-Beam Longitudinal and Shear Waves.
7.2.1.1 Distance Standardization—To locate reflectors ac-
NOTE 1—The table is a guide only and is not meant to exclude the use
of a particular couplant that is found to work satisfactorily on a particular curately within the production item, a distance standardization
surface.
is recommended, either in terms of the component’s dimen-
Approximate Surface Roughness Equivalent Couplant Viscosity, weight sions or the beam path. Reflections from concentric cylindrical
Average (Ra µin.) motor oil
surfaces, such as provided by some IIW blocks and the AWS
5 to 100 SAE 10
distance reference block, may be used to adjust sweep range
50 to 200 SAE 20
and delay. However, if the part has suitable geometry, the part
100 to 400 SAE 30
provides a more reliable standardization. Where the inspection
250 to 700 SAE 40
Over 1000 cup grease
zone includes the full volume between parallel surfaces, it is
recommended that at least one Vee pat
...