ASTM E1648-95(2011)

Standard Reference Radiographs for Examination of Aluminum Fusion Welds

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Use of these reference radiographs requires agreement between the using parties as to the acceptable level of each discontinuity type. Illustrations are provided for welds in 0.125-in. (3.2-mm) thick material and 0.50-in. (12.7-mm) thick material. These illustrations are intended to be representative of base material thicknesses up to 0.75 in. (19 mm). Use of these reference radiographs is not intended to be restricted to the specific energy level or the absolute thickness limits that are illustrated. These reference radiographs may be used, where there is no other applicable document, for other energy levels or thicknesses, or both, for which agreement has been reached between the purchaser and the manufacturer. Standard reference radiographs should be used in accordance with contractual specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 These reference radiographs illustrate various types and severity levels of discontinuities in aluminum fusion welds that may be revealed by radiographic examination. These reference radiographs do not specify the acceptable level of these discontinuities, rather they provide a visual reference for communicating the acceptable level.
Note 1—The reference radiographs consist of a set of eight plates (8 ½ by 11 in. (22 by 28 cm)), covering base material up to and including 0.75 in. (19 mm) in thickness.  
1.2 These reference radiographs are based on two nominal weld thicknesses in wrought aluminum products and are applicable to the thickness ranges shown in Table 1. The welds were produced using base material plates of 6061 and 5083 alloys and 5356 and 4043 gas metal-arc (GMA) electrodes. These reference radiographs are intended for use in evaluating radiographs of welds in wrought aluminum products. They are not recommended for use with repair welds in cast materials; however, they are appropriate for use with assembly or fabrication welds. Reference radiographs for aluminum and magnesium castings are available in Reference Radiographs E155 and E505.
1.3 The adjunct contains illustrations of representative graded and ungraded discontinuities. Table 2 lists the discontinuity types and severities illustrated for each thickness of base material. Each of the graded discontinuity types has five severity levels, 1 through 5, in order of increasing severity. The ungraded discontinuities are included for informational purposes.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
TABLE 1 Applicable Thickness Ranges   Illustration Thickness,
in. (mm)Base Material Thickness, in. (mm) 0.125 (3.2)
0.50 (12.7) to and including 0.375 (9.5)
over 0.375 (9.5) to and including 0.75 (19)
TABLE 2 Types of Discontinuities Illustrated for Each Thickness of Base Material   Discontinuity TypeBase Material Thickness, in. (mm) and
Grading 0.125 (3.2)0.50 (12.7) Fine scattered porosityGrades 1 through 5 Grades 1 through 5 Coarse scattered porosity...Grades 1 through 5 Aligned porosityGrades 1 through 5Grades 1 through 5 Clustered porosity...Ungraded Incomplete penetrationUngraded Ungraded Tungsten inclusions...Ungraded UndercutUngradedUngraded Cracks (longitudinal and
transverse)UngradedUngraded Crater crack...Ungraded

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2011
• ICS: 25.160.40 - Welded joints and welds
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.02 - Reference Radiological Images

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1648-95(2006) - Standard Reference Radiographs for Examination of Aluminum Fusion Welds
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011

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: E1648 − 95(Reapproved 2011)
Standard Reference Radiographs for
Examination of Aluminum Fusion Welds
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1648; 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. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 These reference radiographs illustrate various types and
severity levels of discontinuities in aluminum fusion welds that
2. Referenced Documents
may be revealed by radiographic examination. These reference
2.1 ASTM Standards:
radiographs do not specify the acceptable level of these
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination
discontinuities, rather they provide a visual reference for
E155 Reference Radiographs for Inspection of Aluminum
communicating the acceptable level.
and Magnesium Castings
NOTE 1—The reference radiographs consist of a set of eight plates (8 ⁄2
E505 Reference Radiographs for Inspection of Aluminum
by 11 in. (22 by 28 cm)), covering base material up to and including 0.75
and Magnesium Die Castings
in. (19 mm) in thickness.
E1032 Test Method for Radiographic Examination of Weld-
1.2 These reference radiographs are based on two nominal
ments
weld thicknesses in wrought aluminum products and are
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
applicable to the thickness ranges shown in Table 1. The welds
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
were produced using base material plates of 6061 and 5083
Reference Radiographs for Aluminum Fusion Welds:
alloys and 5356 and 4043 gas metal-arc (GMA) electrodes.
Volume 1, Thicknesses Up to and Including 0.75 in.
These reference radiographs are intended for use in evaluating
(19 mm)
radiographs of welds in wrought aluminum products. They are
not recommended for use with repair welds in cast materials;
3. Terminology
however, they are appropriate for use with assembly or
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms relating to X-ray and
fabrication welds. Reference radiographs for aluminum and
gamma radiology, as used in these reference radiographs, may
magnesium castings are available in Reference Radiographs
be found in Terminology E1316.
E155 and E505.
1.3 The adjunct contains illustrations of representative
4. Significance and Use
graded and ungraded discontinuities. Table 2 lists the discon-
4.1 Use of these reference radiographs requires agreement
tinuity types and severities illustrated for each thickness of
between the using parties as to the acceptable level of each
base material. Each of the graded discontinuity types has five
discontinuity type. Illustrations are provided for welds in
severity levels, 1 through 5, in order of increasing severity.The
0.125-in. (3.2-mm) thick material and 0.50-in. (12.7-mm) thick
ungraded discontinuities are included for informational pur-
material. These illustrations are intended to be representative
poses.
of base material thicknesses up to 0.75 in. (19 mm). Use of
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
these reference radiographs is not intended to be restricted to
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
the specific energy level or the absolute thickness limits that
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
are illustrated. These reference radiographs may be used,
and are not considered standard.
where there is no other applicable document, for other energy
levels or thicknesses, or both, for which agreement has been
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reached between the purchaser and the manufacturer. Standard
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
reference radiographs should be used in accordance with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
contractual specifications.
These reference radiographs are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
E07 on Nondestructive Testing and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
E07.02 on Reference Radiological Images. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E1648 - 95(2006). the ASTM website.
DOI: 10.1520/E1648-95R11. Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order ADJE1648.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1648 − 95 (2011)
TABLE 1 Applicable Thickness Ranges
tungsten inclusions are lighter than the surrounding areas and
Illustration Thickness, may be rounded or irregularly shaped.
Base Material Thickness, in. (mm)
in. (mm)
6.3 Incomplete penetration, is a discontinuity that occurs at
0.125 (3.2) to and including 0.375 (9.5)
0.50 (12.7) over 0.375 (9.5) to and including 0.75 (19)
the root of welds where full penetration has not been achieved.
The discontinuity generally appears on a radiograph as a
straight dark line that may be either continuous or intermittent.
TABLE 2 Types of Discontinuities Illustrated for Each Thickness
Theindicationistypicallyasharplydefinedlineortwoparallel
of Base Material
lines depending upon the specific geometry of the joint and the
Base Material Thickness, in. (mm) and
width of the discontinuity (see Note 2).
Grading
Discontinuity Type
0.125 (3.2) 0.50 (12.7)
NOTE 2—Some welds may be designed for, or permit, incomplete
Fine scattered porosity Grades 1 through 5 Grades 1 through 5
penetration of the weld. Appropriate drawings and specifications must be
Coarse scattered porosity . Grades 1 through 5
consulted to determine whether the indication represents an unacceptable
Aligned porosity Grades 1 through 5 Grades 1 through 5
condition. Where the condition exceeds specification limits, it is referred
Clustered porosity . Ungraded
to by some specifications (for example, American Welding Society
Incomplete penetration Ungraded Ungraded
(AWS)) as Inadequate Penetration.
Tungsten inclusions . Ungraded
Undercut Ungraded Ungraded
6.4 A crack, is a rupture of solidified metal. Cracks associ-
Cracks (longitudinal and Ungraded Ungraded
ated with welding may be longitudinal, transverse, or radially
transverse)
Crater crack . Ungraded oriented and may occur in the weld metal, base metal, or
through both. When the plane of the crack is aligned with the
direction of the radiation beam, its radiographic image will
appear as a well-defined jagged or a relatively straight line.As
5. Preparation of Reference Radiographs
the plane of the crack deviates
...