ASTM E273-01(2005)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of the Weld Zone of Welded Pipe and Tubing
Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of the Weld Zone of Welded Pipe and Tubing
ABSTRACT
This practice describes the general ultrasonic examination procedures for the detection of discontinuities in the weld and adjacent heat affected zones of welded pipe and tubing by scanning with relative motion between the search unit and pipe or tube. When contact or unfocused immersion search units are employed, this practice is intended for tubular products having specified outside diameters and wall thicknesses. And when properly focused immersion search units are employed, this practice may also be applied to material of smaller diameter and thinner wall. This practice does not establish acceptance criteria for this procedure. A pulsed ultrasonic angle beam shall be propagated in the wall of the pipe or tube by either the surface contact or immersion method. The weld line shall then be examined from both sides to ensure detection of imperfections with a shape or orientation that produces a preferential direction of reflection.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes general ultrasonic examination procedures for the detection of discontinuities in the weld and adjacent heat affected zones of welded pipe and tubing by scanning with relative motion between the search unit and pipe or tube. When contact or unfocused immersion search units are employed, this practice is intended for tubular products having specified outside diameters 2 in. (50 mm) and specified wall thicknesses of 1/8to 11/16 in. (3 to 27 mm). When properly focused immersion search units are employed, this practice may also be applied to material of smaller diameter and thinner wall.
Note 1—When contact or unfocused immersion search units are used, precautions should be exercised when examining pipes or tubes near the lower specified limits. Certain combinations of search unit size, frequency, thin-wall thicknesses, and small diameters could cause generation of unwanted sound waves that may produce erroneous examination results.
1.2 All surfaces of material to be examined in accordance with this practice shall be clean from scale, dirt, burrs, slag, spatter or other conditions that would interfere with the examination results. The configuration of the weld must be such that interfering signals are not generated by reflections from it. Treatment of the inner surface and outer surface weld beads such as trimming ("scarfing") or rolling is often required to remove protuberances that could result in spurious reflections.
1.3 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria, they must be specified by the using parties.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents are in parentheses and may be approximate.
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.
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Designation: E273 – 01 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Practice for
Ultrasonic Examination of the Weld Zone of Welded Pipe
and Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E273; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This practice describes general ultrasonic examination
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures for the detection of discontinuities in the weld and
adjacent heat affected zones of welded pipe and tubing by
2. Referenced Documents
scanning with relative motion between the search unit and pipe
2.1 ASTM Standards:
or tube.When contact or unfocused immersion search units are
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestruc-
employed, this practice is intended for tubular products having
tive Testing
specified outside diameters $2 in. ($50 mm) and specified
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1 1
wall thicknesses of ⁄8 to 1 ⁄16 in. (3 to 27 mm). When properly
2.2 ASNT Documents
focused immersion search units are employed, this practice
Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualifica-
may also be applied to material of smaller diameter and thinner
tion and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
wall.
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—When contact or unfocused immersion search units are used,
precautions should be exercised when examining pipes or tubes near the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
lowerspecifiedlimits.Certaincombinationsofsearchunitsize,frequency,
tice, see Terminology E1316.
thin–wall thicknesses, and small diameters could cause generation of
unwanted sound waves that may produce erroneous examination results.
4. Summary of Practice
1.2 All surfaces of material to be examined in accordance
4.1 A pulsed ultrasonic angle beam shall be propagated in
with this practice shall be clean from scale, dirt, burrs, slag,
the wall of the pipe or tube by either the surface contact or
spatter or other conditions that would interfere with the
immersion method. Fig. 1 illustrates the characteristic oblique
examination results. The configuration of the weld must be
sound entry into the pipe wall for both contact and immersion
such that interfering signals are not generated by reflections
examination from one search unit.
from it. Treatment of the inner surface and outer surface weld
NOTE 2—The immersion examination method may include tanks,
beads such as trimming (“scarfing”) or rolling is often required
wheel search units, or bubbler systems.
to remove protuberances that could result in spurious reflec-
tions. 4.2 The weld line shall be examined from both sides to
1.3 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria, they ensure detection of imperfections with a shape or orientation
must be specified by the using parties. that produces a preferential direction of reflection.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5. Apparatus
as the standard. The SI equivalents are in parentheses and may
5.1 The instruments and accessory equipment shall be
be approximate.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the capable of producing, receiving, amplifying, and displaying
electrical pulses at frequencies and pulse rates deemed neces-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sary by the using parties. They shall be capable of distinguish-
ing the reference reflectors described in Section 7 to the extent
required in the standardization procedure outlined in Section 9.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on
Ultrasonic Method.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E273 - 01. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/E0273-01R05. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
SE-273 in Section II of that Code. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E273 – 01 (2005)
6. Basis of Application
6.1 The following are items that require decision for use of
this practice:
6.1.1 Acceptance criteria,
6.1.2 Type,dimension,andnumberofreferencereflectorsto
be placed in the reference standard,
6.1.3 Standardization of examination sensitivity intervals,
6.1.4 Operator qualifications,
6.1.5 Qualification of NDT agency (as defined in Practice
E543), if required. Practice E543 may be used for this agency
qualification.
6.1.6 Examination frequency,
6.1.7 Pulse repetition rate,
6.1.8 Sound beam orientation and number of beams used,
6.1.9 Procedure and use of distance amplitude compensa-
tion, and
6.1.10 Reporting of examination results.
7. Personnel Qualification
7.1 Personnel performing the ultrasonic examination shall
be qualified and certified in accordance with ASNT Recom-
mended Practice SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent document, to
establish their ability to conduct ultrasonic weld examinations.
NOTE 1—u = 35° through 70°.
8. Reference Standards
FIG. 1 Angle Projection of Ultrasonic Wave
8.1 A reference standard, of sufficient length to allow
verification of system standardization, shall be prepared from a
length of pipe or tubing of the same nominal diameter and wall
5.2 For pulse echo examination systems, the contact or
thickness, material, surface finish, and nominal heat treatment
immersion search units should produce ultrasonic waves that
as the material to be examined. The pipe or tube selected for
travel in the pipe or tube wall at a refracted angle of from 35°
this purpose shall be free of discontinuities or other abnormal
to 70° and perpendicular to the weld seam. For pitch/catch or
conditions that can cause interference with the detection of the
through transmission examination systems, orientation of the
reference reflectors. The reference reflectors shall be selected
entry sound beam other than perpendicular to the weld seam
to ensure uniform coverage of the weld at the sensitivity levels
may be required.
prescribed. The reference reflectors most commonly used will
5.3 Couplant—A liquid such as water, oil, glycerin, etc.,
consist of machined notches and drilled holes as described in
capable of conducting ultrasonic vibrations from the search
paragraph 8.2. All upset metal, burrs, etc., adjacent to the
unit to the pipe or tube shall be used. Rust inhibitors, softeners,
reference reflectors, shall be removed.
and wetting agents may be added to the couplant.The couplant
8.1.1 Electric Resistance-Welded, Laser-Welded or Butt-
liquid with all additives should not be detrimental to the
Welded Pipe—Referencereflectorsshallbeplacedinthecenter
surface condition of the pipe or tubing and should wet the
of weld seam and in a line parallel to it unless permission is
surface. In examining electric-resistance-welded pipe, water-
obtained from the contracting or using agency to place the
soluble oil used in cooling the pipe serves as a satisfactory
reference reflectors elsewhere in the reference standard. When
couplant.
longitudinal notches are used as reference reflectors, they shall
be placed on the outer and inner surfaces of the reference
5.4 Distance Amplitude Compensation—The use of elec-
standard and be separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that
tronic methods to compensate for attenuation losses as a
the response from one reflector does not interfere with that
function of ultrasonic metal travel distance may be employed.
from the other.
5.5 Search Units—The search unit must be appropriately
sized with respect to width and beam included angle to achieve
NOTE 3—If reference reflectors are placed in a location other than the
centerline of the weld seam there is no assurance that the beam is
full wall thickness coverage (2). Where this can not be
penetrating the weld unless adequate signal response is obtained from the
achieved with a single search unit propagating in a given
search units scanning the reflector from both sides of the weld. The lower
direction, two or more search units may be used to scan in each
amplitude of response from the two directions must be used in determin-
direction.The effective beam length of the search units shall be
ing the rejection threshold level. Positioning of automatic alarm gates
such that reliable detection of all reference reflectors is
must be such as to respond to the signal from the reference reflector, but
accomplished without exceeding the “noise” limits of 9.2. The also the signals originating from the reflections from discontinuities
anywhere in the weld seam itself.
focallengthoffocusedsearchunitsshallbeatleastequaltothe
radius of the material plus a suitable
...
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:E 273–01 Designation: E273 – 01 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Practice for
Ultrasonic Examination of the Weld Zone of Welded Pipe
and Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E273; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes general ultrasonic examination procedures for the detection of discontinuities in the weld and
adjacent heat affected zones of welded pipe and tubing by scanning with relative motion between the search unit and pipe or tube.
When contact or unfocused immersion search units are employed, this practice is intended for tubular products having specified
1 1
outside diameters $2 in. ($50 mm) and specified wall thicknesses of ⁄8 to 1 ⁄16 in. (3 to 27 mm). When properly focused
immersion search units are employed, this practice may also be applied to material of smaller diameter and thinner wall.
NOTE 1—When contact or unfocused immersion search units are used, precautions should be exercised when examining pipes or tubes near the lower
specifiedlimits.Certaincombinationsofsearchunitsize,frequency,thin–wallthicknesses,andsmalldiameterscouldcausegenerationofunwantedsound
waves that may produce erroneous examination results.
1.2 All surfaces of material to be examined in accordance with this practice shall be clean from scale, dirt, burrs, slag, spatter
or other conditions that would interfere with the examination results. The configuration of the weld must be such that interfering
signals are not generated by reflections from it. Treatment of the inner surface and outer surface weld beads such as trimming
(“scarfing”) or rolling is often required to remove protuberances that could result in spurious reflections.
1.3 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria, they must be specified by the using parties.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents are in parentheses and may be
approximate.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E543 PracticeSpecification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
2.2 ASNT Documents
Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, see Terminology E 1316E1316.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Apulsed ultrasonic angle beam shall be propagated in the wall of the pipe or tube by either the surface contact or immersion
method.Fig.1illustratesthecharacteristicobliquesoundentryintothepipewallforbothcontactandimmersionexaminationfrom
one search unit.
NOTE 2—The immersion examination method may include tanks, wheel search units, or bubbler systems.
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE07onNondestructiveTestingandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE07.06onUltrasonicMethod.
Current edition approved July 10, 2001. Published September 2001. Originally published as E 273–65T. Last previous edition E 273–93.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E273 - 01. DOI:
10.1520/E0273-01R05.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice SE-273 in Section II of that Code.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 03.03.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E273 – 01 (2005)
NOTE 1—u = 35° through 70°.
FIG. 1 Angle Projection of Ultrasonic Wave
4.2 The weld line shall be examined from both sides to ensure detection of imperfections with a shape or orientation that
produces a preferential direction of reflection.
5. Apparatus
5.1 The instruments and accessory equipment shall be capable of producing, receiving, amplifying, and displaying electrical
pulses at frequencies and pulse rates deemed necessary by the using parties. They shall be capable of distinguishing the reference
reflectors described in Section 7 to the extent required in the standardization procedure outlined in Section 9.
5.2 For pulse echo examination systems, the contact or immersion search units should produce ultrasonic waves that travel in
the pipe or tube wall at a refracted angle of from 35° to 70° and perpendicular to the weld seam. For pitch/catch or through
transmission examination systems, orientation of the entry sound beam other than perpendicular to the weld seam may be required.
5.3 Couplant—Aliquid such as water, oil, glycerin, etc., capable of conducting ultrasonic vibrations from the search unit to the
pipe or tube shall be used. Rust inhibitors, softeners, and wetting agents may be added to the couplant. The couplant liquid with
all additives should not be detrimental to the surface condition of the pipe or tubing and should wet the surface. In examining
electric-resistance-welded pipe, water-soluble oil used in cooling the pipe serves as a satisfactory couplant.
5.4 Distance Amplitude Compensation—The use of electronic methods to compensate for attenuation losses as a function of
ultrasonic metal travel distance may be employed.
5.5 Search Units—The search unit must be appropriately sized with respect to width and beam included angle to achieve full
wall thickness coverage (2).Where this can not be achieved with a single search unit propagating in a given direction, two or more
searchunitsmaybeusedtoscanineachdirection.Theeffectivebeamlengthofthesearchunitsshallbesuchthatreliabledetection
ofallreferencereflectorsisaccomplishedwithoutexceedingthe“noise”limitsof9.2.Thefocallengthoffocusedsearchunitsshall
be at least equal to the radius of the material plus a suitable water path so that initial focus may be on the tube or pipe central axis
(1).
6. Basis of Application
6.1 The following are items that require decision for use of this practice:
6.1.1 Acceptance criteria,
6.1.2 Type, dimension, and number of reference reflectors to be placed in the reference standard,
6.1.3 Standardization of examination sensitivity intervals,
6.1.4 Operator qualifications,
6.1.5 Qualification of NDT agency (as defined in Practice E 543E543), if required. Practice E 543E543 may be used for this
agency qualification.
6.1.6 Examination frequency,
E273 – 01 (2005)
6.1.7 Pulse repetition rate,
6.1.8 Sound beam orientation and number of beams used,
6.1.9 Procedure and use of distance amplitude compensation, and
6.1.10 Reporting of examination results.
7. Personnel Qualification
7.1 Personnel performing the ultrasonic examination shall be qualified and certified in accordance with ASNT Recommended
Practice SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent document, to establish their ability to conduct ultrasonic weld examinations.
8. Reference Standards
8.1 Areference standard, of sufficient length to allow verification of system standardization, shall be prepared from a length of
pipeortubingofthesamenominaldiameterandwallthickness,material,surfacefinish,andnominalheattreatmentasthematerial
to be examined. The pipe or tube selected for this purpose shall be free of discontinuities or other abnormal conditions that can
cause interference with the detection of the reference reflectors. The reference reflectors shall be selected to ensure uniform
coverage of the weld at the sensitivity levels prescribed. The reference reflectors most commonly used will consist of machined
notches and drilled holes as described in paragraph 8.2. All upset metal, burrs, etc., adjacent to the reference reflectors, shall be
removed.
8.1.1 Electric Resistance-Welded, Laser-Welded or Butt-Welded Pipe—Referencereflectorsshallbeplacedinthecenterofweld
seam and in a line parallel to it unless permission is obtained from the contracting or using agency to place the reference reflectors
elsewhere in the reference standard. When longitudinal notches are used as reference reflectors, they shall be placed on the outer
and inner surfaces of the reference standard and be separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that the response from one reflector
does not interfere with that from the other.
NOTE 3—If reference reflectors are placed in a location other than the centerline of the weld seam there is no assurance that the beam is penetrating
the weld unless adequate signal response is obtained from the search units scanning the reflector from both sides of the weld. The
...
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