ASTM E3044/E3044M-16
(Practice)Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Butt Fusion Joints
Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Butt Fusion Joints
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is intended primarily for the automated or semi-automated ultrasonic examination of butt fusion joints used in the construction of polyethylene piping systems.
5.2 Polyethylene piping has been used in lieu of steel alloys in the petrochemical, power, water, gas distribution and mining industries due to its readability and resistance to corrosion and erosion. Recently, polyethylene pipe has also been used for nuclear safety-related cooling water applications.
5.3 Two ultrasonic techniques have proven useful to provide examination of fusion joint integrity; Ultrasonic time-of-flight-diffraction (TOFD) and phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). These techniques are often considered complementary but may be used independently of each other. The choice of the technique used may depend on a variety of parameters including diameter, thickness, surface access, detection capabilities near surfaces, and quality level required.
5.4 The joining process can be subject to a variety of flaws including, but not limited to: lack of fusion, particulate contamination, inclusions, and voids.
5.5 Polyethylene material can have a range of acoustic characteristics that make butt joint examination difficult. Acoustic velocity of the material is similar to that commonly used for ultrasound wedge materials, making it difficult to use these materials to achieve appropriate refraction of sound at the interface. Polyethylene materials are highly attenuative, which often limits the use of higher ultrasonic frequencies. It also exhibits a natural high frequency filtering effect. An example of the range of acoustic characteristics is provided in Table 1. The table notes the wide range of acoustic velocities reported in the literature. This makes it essential that the reference blocks are made of the same cell classification as that examined. This shall be confirmed by measuring the acoustic velocity of the pipe being examined. When using PAUT as the examination techn...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard practice establishes procedures for ultrasonic testing (UT) of butt fusion joints in polyethylene pipe. Although high density polyethylene (HDPE) and medium density polyethylene (MDPE) materials are most commonly used, the procedures described may apply to other types of polyethylene.
Note 1: The notes in this specification are for information only and shall not be considered part of this specification.
Note 2: This standard references HDPE and MDPE for pipe applications as defined by Specification D3350.
1.2 This standard practice does not address ultrasonic examination of electrofusion joints (coupling joints), socket joints, or saddles.
1.3 This practice provides two ultrasonic examination procedures. Each has its own merits and requirements for examination and shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual document.
1.3.1 Examination Procedure A, Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD), uses a pair of probes, one transmitting and the other receiving. The procedure requires access to both sides of the joint from one surface. Provided that position encoding is used, the procedure can be conducted by semi-automated or automated means that provide recoded imaging.
1.3.2 Examination Procedure B, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), uses low velocity refracting wedges or water gaps to produce angled compression mode pulses. The procedure can be applied where access is limited to one side of the joint from one surface. Provided that position encoding is used, the procedure can be conducted by semi-automated or automated means that provide recoded imaging.
1.4 The practice is intended to be used on thicknesses of 9 to 60 mm (0.375 to 2.4 in.) and diameters 100 mm (4 in.) and greater. Greater and lesser thicknesses and lesser diameters may be tested using this standard practice if the technique can be demonstrated to provide adequate detection on mockups of the same wall thickness and geom...
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Designation: E3044/E3044M − 16
StandardPractice for
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Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Butt Fusion Joints
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE3044/E3044M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
1.1 This standard practice establishes procedures for ultra-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
sonic testing (UT) of butt fusion joints in polyethylene pipe.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Although high density polyethylene (HDPE) and medium
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
density polyethylene (MDPE) materials are most commonly
with the standard.
used, the procedures described may apply to other types of
polyethylene.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 1—The notes in this specification are for information only and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
shall not be considered part of this specification.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 2—This standard references HDPE and MDPE for pipe applica-
tions as defined by Specification D3350. priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This standard practice does not address ultrasonic ex-
amination of electrofusion joints (coupling joints), socket
2. Referenced Documents
joints, or saddles.
1.3 This practice provides two ultrasonic examination pro-
2.1 The following documents form a part of this practice to
cedures. Each has its own merits and requirements for exami-
the extent specified herein.
nation and shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual
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2.2 ASTM Standards:
document.
D3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fit-
1.3.1 Examination Procedure A, Time of Flight Diffraction
tings Materials
(TOFD), uses a pair of probes, one transmitting and the other
E494 Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materi-
receiving. The procedure requires access to both sides of the
als
jointfromonesurface.Providedthatpositionencodingisused,
E543 Specification forAgencies Performing Nondestructive
the procedure can be conducted by semi-automated or auto-
Testing
mated means that provide recoded imaging.
1.3.2 Examination Procedure B, Phased Array Ultrasonic E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
Testing (PAUT), uses low velocity refracting wedges or water E2373 Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight
gaps to produce angled compression mode pulses. The proce-
Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
dure can be applied where access is limited to one side of the E2700 Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Welds
jointfromonesurface.Providedthatpositionencodingisused,
Using Phased Arrays
the procedure can be conducted by semi-automated or auto-
F2620 PracticeforHeatFusionJoiningofPolyethylenePipe
mated means that provide recoded imaging.
and Fittings
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1.4 The practice is intended to be used on thicknesses of 9
2.3 ASNT Standards:
to 60 mm (0.375 to 2.4 in.) and diameters 100 mm (4 in.) and
ASNT Practice SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualification and
greater. Greater and lesser thicknesses and lesser diameters
Certification in Nondestructive Testing
may be tested using this standard practice if the technique can
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
be demonstrated to provide adequate detection on mockups of
cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
the same wall thickness and geometry.
1.5 This practice does not specify acceptance criteria.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Ultrasonic Method. the ASTM website.
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Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016. Published August 2016. DOI: 10.1520/ AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
E3044_E3044M-16. 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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E3044/E3044M − 16
2.4 Aerospace Industries Association Document: 4.2 This practice uses sound waves to inspect butt fusion
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