ASTM B548-03(2009)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Plate for Pressure Vessels
Standard Test Method for Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Plate for Pressure Vessels
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A number of factors such as the condition of the entry and back surfaces of the plate, the inclination of the ultrasonic beam with respect to the entry surface, and the performance characteristics of the test system may cause either a reduction of isolated indications or a substantial loss of back reflection and thereby could seriously impair the reliability of the test procedure outlined in this standard.
Accurate evaluations of discontinuity size also may be limited significantly by variations in beam characteristics which exist in most search units. For this reason, discontinuity size as determined by the test procedure outlined in this method is regarded as “apparent” or “estimated” in recognition of the limited quantitative value of the measurement.
Because a large number of interacting variables in a test system can adversely influence the results of an ultrasonic test, the actual quantitative effects of detected discontinuities upon the mechanical properties of the inspected plate are difficult to establish. Consequently, this ultrasonic inspection method is not applicable as an exclusive indicator of the ultimate quality and performance of pressure vessels but provides a reliable control of plate quality to avoid failure during the forming process for fabrication of vessels.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers pulse-echo ultrasonic inspection of aluminum-alloy plate of thickness equal to or greater than 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) for use in the fabrication of pressure vessels. The ultrasonic test is employed to detect gross internal discontinuities oriented in a direction parallel to the rolled surface such as cracks, ruptures, and laminations, and to provide assurance that only plate that is free from rejectable discontinuities is accepted for delivery.
1.2 The inspection method and acceptance criteria included in this standard shall be limited to plate of the following aluminum alloys: 1060, 1100, 3003, Alclad 3003, 3004, Alclad 3004, 5050, 5052, 5083, 5086, 5154, 5254, 5454, 5456, 5652, 6061, and Alclad 6061.
1.3 This test method applies only to ultrasonic tests using pulsed longitudinal waves which are transmitted and received by a search unit containing either a single crystal or a combination of electrically interconnected multiple crystals. Ultrasonic tests employing either the through-transmission or the angle-beam techniques are not included.
1.4 This test method shall be used when ultrasonic inspection as prescribed herein is required by the contract, purchase order, or referenced plate specification.
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: B548 − 03 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Plate for Pressure
1
Vessels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B548; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date
1.1 Thistestmethodcoverspulse-echoultrasonicinspection
of material purchase form a part of this specification to the
of aluminum-alloy plate of thickness equal to or greater than
extent referenced herein:
0.500 in. (12.7 mm) for use in the fabrication of pressure
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vessels. The ultrasonic test is employed to detect gross internal
2.2 ASTM Standards:
discontinuities oriented in a direction parallel to the rolled E114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam
surface such as cracks, ruptures, and laminations, and to Contact Testing
provide assurance that only plate that is free from rejectable E214 Practice for Immersed Ultrasonic Testing by the Re-
discontinuities is accepted for delivery. flection Method Using Pulsed Longitudinal Waves (With-
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drawn 2007)
1.2 The inspection method and acceptance criteria included
E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
in this standard shall be limited to plate of the following
Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems
aluminum alloys: 1060, 1100, 3003,Alclad 3003, 3004,Alclad
without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
3004, 5050, 5052, 5083, 5086, 5154, 5254, 5454, 5456, 5652,
2.3 Other Standards:
6061, and Alclad 6061.
ASNT Recommended Practice for Nondestructive Testing
1.3 This test method applies only to ultrasonic tests using Personnel Qualification and Certification—Ultrasonic
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pulsed longitudinal waves which are transmitted and received Testing Method—SNT-TC-1A
by a search unit containing either a single crystal or a
3. Summary of Method
combination of electrically interconnected multiple crystals.
Ultrasonic tests employing either the through-transmission or
3.1 The plate is inspected ultrasonically by scanning one
the angle-beam techniques are not included.
rolled surface with a beam of pulsed longitudinal waves which
is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the entry surface of
1.4 This test method shall be used when ultrasonic inspec-
the plate. The ultrasound is transmitted into the plate either by
tion as prescribed herein is required by the contract, purchase
the direct contact, immersion, or liquid-column coupling
order, or referenced plate specification.
method. During the scan, an indication representing the first
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
back reflection is observed on the A-scan screen of the test
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical instrument.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.2 When the test system sensitivity level is appropriately
and are not considered standard.
adjusted, a discontinuity is detected during the scan by noting
an isolated indication associated with a loss of the first back
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reflection indication. The apparent size of the discontinuity is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
determined by measuring the total area in the scanned entry
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface of the plate where the isolated indication and the loss
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.03 on the ASTM website.
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Aluminum Alloy Wrought Products. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally www.astm.org.
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approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as B548 – 03. DOI: AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
10.1520/B0548-03R09. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B548 − 03 (2009)
of back reflectio
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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.
Designation:B548–03 Designation: B548 – 03 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Plate for Pressure
1
Vessels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B548; 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
1.1 This test method covers pulse-echo ultrasonic inspection of aluminum-alloy plate of thickness equal to or greater than 0.500
in. (12.7 mm) for use in the fabrication of pressure vessels. The ultrasonic test is employed to detect gross internal discontinuities
oriented in a direction parallel to the rolled surface such as cracks, ruptures, and laminations, and to provide assurance that only
plate that is free from rejectable discontinuities is accepted for delivery.
1.2 The inspection method and acceptance criteria included in this standard shall be limited to plate of the following aluminum
alloys: 1060, 1100, 3003, Alclad 3003, 3004, Alclad 3004, 5050, 5052, 5083, 5086, 5154, 5254, 5454, 5456, 5652, 6061, and
Alclad 6061.
1.3 This test method applies only to ultrasonic tests using pulsed longitudinal waves which are transmitted and received by a
search unit containing either a single crystal or a combination of electrically interconnected multiple crystals. Ultrasonic tests
employing either the through-transmission or the angle-beam techniques are not included.
1.4 This test method shall be used when ultrasonic inspection as prescribed herein is required by the contract, purchase order,
or referenced plate specification.
1.5The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein:
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2.2 ASTM Standards:
E114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam Contact Testing
E214 Practice for Immersed Ultrasonic Testing by the Reflection Method Using Pulsed Longitudinal Waves
E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems without
the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
2.3 Other Standards:
ASNT Recommended Practice for Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification—Ultrasonic Testing
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Method—SNT-TC-1A
3. Summary of Method
3.1 The plate is inspected ultrasonically by scanning one rolled surface with a beam of pulsed longitudinal waves which is
orientedinadirectionperpendiculartotheentrysurfaceoftheplate.Theultrasoundistransmittedintotheplateeitherbythedirect
contact, immersion, or liquid-column coupling method. During the scan, an indication representing the first back reflection is
observed on the A-scan screen of the test instrument.
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB07onLightMetalsandAlloysandisunderthejurisdictiondirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeB07.03
on Aluminum Alloy Wrought Products.
Current edition approved Nov.Dec. 1, 2003.2009. Published November 2003.January 2010. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 19972003 as
B548–90 (1997). B548 – 03. DOI: 10.1520/B0548-03R09.
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ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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B548 – 03 (2009)
3.2 When the test system sensitivity level is appropriate
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