ASTM E426-16(2021)

Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Seamless and Welded Tubular Products, Titanium, Austenitic Stainless Steel and Similar Alloys

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Eddy current testing is a nondestructive method of locating discontinuities in a product. Changes in electromagnetic response caused by the presence of discontinuities are detected by the sensor, amplified and modified in order to actuate audio or visual indicating devices, or both, or a mechanical marker. Signals can be caused by outer surface, inner surface, or subsurface discontinuities. The eddy current examination is sensitive to many factors that occur as a result of processing (such as variations in conductivity, chemical composition, permeability, and geometry) as well as other factors not related to the tubing. Thus, all received indications are not necessarily indicative of defective tubing.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice2 covers procedures for eddy current examination of seamless and welded tubular products made of relatively low conductivity materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and similar alloys, such as nickel alloys. Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steels, which are generally considered to be nonmagnetic, are specifically covered as distinguished from the martensitic and ferritic straight chromium stainless steels which are magnetic.  
1.2 This practice is intended as a guide for eddy current examination of both seamless and welded tubular products using either an encircling coil or a probe-coil technique. Coils and probes are available that can be used inside the tubular product; however, their use is not specifically covered in this document. This type of examination is usually employed only to examine tubing which has been installed such as in a heat exchanger.  
1.3 This practice covers the examination of tubular products ranging in diameter from 0.125 to 5 in. (3.2 to 127.0 mm) and wall thicknesses from 0.005 to 0.250 in. (0.127 to 6.4 mm).  
1.4 For examination of aluminum alloy tubular products, see standard Practice E215.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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-May-2021
• ICS: 23.040.10 - Iron and steel pipes
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.07 - Electromagnetic Method

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: E426 − 16 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Practice for
Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Seamless
and Welded Tubular Products, Titanium, Austenitic Stainless
1
Steel and Similar Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E426; 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* priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2
1.1 This practice covers procedures for eddy current ex-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
amination of seamless and welded tubular products made of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
relativelylowconductivitymaterialssuchastitanium,stainless
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
steel, and similar alloys, such as nickel alloys. Austenitic
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
chromium-nickel stainless steels, which are generally consid-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ered to be nonmagnetic, are specifically covered as distin-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
guished from the martensitic and ferritic straight chromium
stainless steels which are magnetic.
2. Referenced Documents
3
1.2 This practice is intended as a guide for eddy current 2.1 ASTM Standards:
examination of both seamless and welded tubular products E215 PracticeforStandardizingEquipmentandElectromag-
using either an encircling coil or a probe-coil technique. Coils netic Examination of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube
and probes are available that can be used inside the tubular E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
product; however, their use is not specifically covered in this
Testing
document. This type of examination is usually employed only E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
to examine tubing which has been installed such as in a heat 2.2 Other Documents:
exchanger. SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
4
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
1.3 This practice covers the examination of tubular products
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
ranging in diameter from 0.125 to 5 in. (3.2 to 127.0 mm) and
4
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
wall thicknesses from 0.005 to 0.250 in. (0.127 to 6.4 mm).
NAS-410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nonde-
5
1.4 For examination of aluminum alloy tubular products,
structive Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)
see standard Practice E215.
ISO 9712 Non-Destructive Testing—Certification and
6
Qualification of NDT Personnel
1.5 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
3. Terminology
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
3.1 Standardterminologyrelatingtoelectromagnetictesting
information only and are not considered standard.
may be found in Terminology E1316, Section C, Electromag-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
netic Testing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3
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.
1 4
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
5
Electromagnetic Method. Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1000
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally WilsonBlvd.,Suite1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E426 – 16. DOI:
6
10.1520/E0426-16R21. Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
SE-426 in Section II of that Code. Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.
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