ASTM E494-05

Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials

ABSTRACT
This practice covers a test procedure for measuring ultrasonic velocities in materials with conventional ultrasonic pulse echo flaw detection equipment in which results are displayed in an A-scan display, and describes a method whereby unknown ultrasonic velocities in a material sample are determined by comparative measurements using a reference material whose ultrasonic velocities are accurately known. The ultrasonic testing system that shall be used shall consist of the test instrument, search unit, couplant, and the standard reference blocks. The test procedure shall include both longitudinal and transverse wave velocity measurements, which should conform to the theoretical values of the parameters.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a test procedure for measuring ultrasonic velocities in materials with conventional ultrasonic pulse echo flaw detection equipment in which results are displayed in an A-scan display. This practice describes a method whereby unknown ultrasonic velocities in a material sample are determined by comparative measurements using a reference material whose ultrasonic velocities are accurately known.
1.2 This procedure is intended for solid materials 5 mm [0.2 in.] thick or greater. The surfaces normal to the direction of energy propagation shall be parallel to at least ±3°. Surface finish for velocity measurements shall be 3.2 υm [125 in.] rms or smoother.
Note 1—Sound wave velocities are cited in this practice using the fundamental units of metres per second, with inches per second supplied for reference in many cases. For some calculations, it is convenient to think of velocities in units of millimetres per microsecond. While these units work nicely in the calculations, the more natural units were chosen for use in the tables in this practice. The values can be simply converted from m/s to mm/s by moving the decimal point three places to the left, that is, 3500 m/s becomes 3.5 mm/μs.
1.3 Ultrasonic velocity measurements are useful for determining several important material properties. Young's modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, acoustic impedance, and several other useful properties and coefficients can be calculated for solid materials with the ultrasonic velocities if the density is known (see Appendix X1).
1.4 More accurate results can be obtained with more specialized ultrasonic equipment, auxiliary equipment, and specialized techniques. Some of the supplemental techniques are described in Appendix X2. (Material contained in Appendix X2 is for informational purposes only.)
Note 2—Factors including techniques, equipment, types of material, and operator variables will result in variations in absolute velocity readings, sometimes by as much as 5 %. Relative results with a single combination of the above factors can be expected to be much more accurate (probably within a 1 % tolerance).
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2005
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.06 - Ultrasonic Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E494-95(2001) - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Replaced By: ASTM E494-10 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E3166-20e1 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Metal Additively Manufactured Aerospace Parts After Build
• 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 E797/E797M-21 - Standard Practice for Measuring Thickness by Manual Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Contact Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E1106-12(2021) - Standard Test Method for Primary Calibration of Acoustic Emission Sensors
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2479-16(2021) - Standard Practice for Measuring the Ultrasonic Velocity in Polyethylene Tank Walls Using Lateral Longitudinal (L<inf>CR</inf>) Waves
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E1816-18(2022) - Standard Practice for Measuring thickness by Pulse-Echo Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D4883-18 - Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E3044/E3044M-22 - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Butt Fusion Joints
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM C1331-18 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Advanced Ceramics with Broadband Pulse-Echo Cross-Correlation Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E3370-23 - Standard Practice for Matrix Array Ultrasonic Testing of Composites, Sandwich Core Constructions, and Metals
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2491-23 - Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E1781/E1781M-20 - Standard Practice for Secondary Calibration of Acoustic Emission Sensors
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F3637-23 - Standard Guide for Additive Manufacturing of Metal — Finished Part Properties — Methods for Relative Density Measurement
• 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:E494–05
Standard Practice for
1
Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E494; 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.
This specification has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
combination of the above factors can be expected to be much more
1. Scope
accurate (probably within a 1% tolerance).
1.1 This practice covers a test procedure for measuring
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ultrasonic velocities in materials with conventional ultrasonic
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
pulse echo flaw detection equipment in which results are
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
displayed in an A-scan display. This practice describes a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
method whereby unknown ultrasonic velocities in a material
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sample are determined by comparative measurements using a
reference material whose ultrasonic velocities are accurately
2. Referenced Documents
known.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Thisprocedureisintendedforsolidmaterials5mm[0.2
C597 Test Method for Pulse Velocity Through Concrete
in.] thick or greater. The surfaces normal to the direction of
E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics
energy propagation shall be parallel to at least 63°. Surface
of Ultrasonic Pulse-EchoTesting Instruments and Systems
finishforvelocitymeasurementsshallbe3.2µm[125µin.]rms
without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
or smoother.
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestruc-
NOTE 1—Sound wave velocities are cited in this practice using the
tive Testing
fundamental units of metres per second, with inches per second supplied
E797 Practice for Measuring Thickness by Manual Ultra-
for reference in many cases. For some calculations, it is convenient to
sonic Pulse-Echo Contact Method
think of velocities in units of millimetres per microsecond. While these
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
units work nicely in the calculations, the more natural units were chosen
3
for use in the tables in this practice. The values can be simply converted 2.2 ASNT Documents:
from m/s to mm/µs by moving the decimal point three places to the left,
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive
that is, 3500 m/s becomes 3.5 mm/µs.
Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
1.3 Ultrasonic velocity measurements are useful for deter- ASNI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certi-
fication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
miningseveralimportantmaterialproperties.Young’smodulus
4
of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, acoustic impedance, and several 2.3 AIA Document:
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
other useful properties and coefficients can be calculated for
solid materials with the ultrasonic velocities if the density is Testing Personnel
known (see Appendix X1).
3. Terminology
1.4 More accurate results can be obtained with more spe-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
cialized ultrasonic equipment, auxiliary equipment, and spe-
tice, see Terminology E1316.
cialized techniques. Some of the supplemental techniques are
described in Appendix X2. (Material contained in Appendix
4. Summary of Practice
X2 is for informational purposes only.)
4.1 Several possible modes of vibration can propagate in
NOTE 2—Factors including techniques, equipment, types of material,
solids. This procedure is concerned with two velocities of
and operator variables will result in variations in absolute velocity
readings, sometimes by as much as 5%. Relative results with a single
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
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on the ASTM website.
3
Ultrasonic Method. AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518.
4
approvedin1973.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2001asE494-95(2001).DOI: Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1250
10.1520/E0494-05. Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.
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