ASTM E1002-96

Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Ultrasonics

SCOPE
1.1 Test Method A, Pressurization- This test method covers procedures for calibration of ultrasonic instruments, location, and estimated measurements of gas leakage to atmosphere by the airborn ultrasonic technique.  
1.2 In general practice this should be limited to leaks producing leakage of 4.5 X 10 -7  m /s (10   atm[dot]cm /s at 0°C) or more. Refer to Guide E 432 for additional information.  
1.3 Test Method B, Ultrasonic Transmitter- For object under test not capable of being pressurized but capable of having ultrasonic tone placed/injected into the test area to act as an ultrasonic leak trace source.  
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.4 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 consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-1996
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.08 - Leak Testing Method

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1002-05 - Standard Test Method for Leaks Using Ultrasonics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2533-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Polymer Matrix Composites Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1211/E1211M-17 - Standard Practice for Leak Detection and Location Using Surface-Mounted Acoustic Emission Sensors
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1066/E1066M-19 - Standard Practice for Ammonia Colorimetric Leak Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1996

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E1002–96
Standard Test Method for
Leaks Using Ultrasonics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1002; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 Test Method A, Pressurization—Thistestmethodcovers 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
procedures for calibration of ultrasonic instruments, location, method, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
and estimated measurements of gas leakage to atmosphere by
2 4. Summary of Test Method
the airborn ultrasonic technique.
1.2 In general practice this should be limited to leaks 4.1 Test MethodA—Thistestmethodsetsminimumrequire-
−7 −2 3
ments for an ultrasonic detector. It provides for calibration of
producing leakage of 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310 std. cm /s at
0°C) or more for the pressure method of gas leakage to the detector and gives procedures for pressurizing the test
object, locating leaks, and estimating the leakage rates.
atmosphere. Refer to Guide E432 for additional information.
1.3 Test Method B, Ultrasonic Transmitter—For object 4.2 Test Method B—Thistestmethodsetsminimumrequire-
ments for an ultrasonic detector used in conjunction with an
under test not capable of being pressurized but capable of
having ultrasonic tone placed/injected into the test area to act ultrasonic transmitter. It gives procedures for locating leaks
using an electronically generated ultrasonic leak tracer source.
as an ultrasonic leak trace source.
1.3.1 This test method is limited to leaks producing leakage
−6 −1 3
5. Personnel Qualification
of 4.5 310 mol/s (1 310 std. cm /s at 0°C) or greater.
5.1 It is recommended that personnel performing leak test-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ing attend a dedicated training course on the subject and pass
standard.
a written examination.The training course should be appropri-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ate for NDT level II qualification according to Recommended
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Practice No. SNT-TC-1A of the American Society for Nonde-
responsibility of the user of this standard to consult and
structive Testing or ANSI/ASNT Standard CP-189.
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
6.1 Test Method A—This test method is useful for locating
and estimating the size of pressurized gas leaks, either as a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
quality control test or as a field inspection procedure. It is also
E432 Guide for Selection of a Leak Testing Method
valuable as a pretest before other more time consuming and
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
more sensitive leak tests are employed. It should not be used
2.2 Other Documents:
exclusively to locate highly toxic or explosive gas leaks.
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
6.2 Test Method B—This test method is useful for locating
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
leaksinsystemsthatarenotunderpressureorvacuumaseither
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
aqualitycontrolorafieldinspectionprocedure.Itisnotuseful
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
for estimating the size of a leak. It is also valuable as a pretest
before leak tests using pressurized gas methods and more
sensitive leak tests are employed.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on
7. Interferences
Leak Testing Method.
7.1 The areas to be tested must be free of oil, grease, paint,
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1996. Published February 1997. Originally
published as E1002–86. Last previous edition E1002–94.
and other contaminants that might mask a leak.
This technique is sometimes called “ultrasonic translation.”
7.2 Under certain conditions background noise detected by
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
4 the instrument can prevent the detection of relevant leakage.
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228–0518. Thisbackgroundnoisecanresultfromequipmentvibrationand
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1002–96
air movement due, for example, to wind, or air-cooled motors, 9. Calibration
aircraft engines, pneumatic systems, etc.
9.1 Calibration/Sensitivity Validation—The ultrasonic in-
7.3 Use of earphones is required in areas where the back-
strument should be calibrated or have the sensitivity validated
groundnoisemightinterferewithhearingtheaudibleoutputof
before each initial use.
a speaker.
9.2 Calibration/Sensitivity Validation Equipment—Use the
following equipment for calibration of the test system:
8. Apparatus
NOTE 1—This equipment serves a dual function; either to calibrate the
8.1 Ultrasonic Leak Detection System:
ultrasonic instrument for leakage rate approximation as in 11.3, or to
8.1.1 The system shall consist of an instrument, probes,
verify the sensitivity for detection and location as in 11.1.
focusing probe accessory and earphones. (A speaker may or −5
9.2.1 Leak Standard, with a preset flow rate of 4.9 310
may not be utilized.) 3
mol/s (1.1 std. cm /s at 0°C) 6 5%. The orifice size shall be
8.1.2 The system shall provide for detection of acoustic
approximately 0.2 mm (0.008 in.).
energy in the ultrasonic range from 20000 to 100000 Hz and
9.2.2 Regulator, for the nitrogen supply with output pres-
shall translate this energy into an audible signal that can be
sure and flow gages. The tank pressure gage is optional.
heard by use of earphones or speaker, or both.
9.3 Calibration for Air Probe:
8.1.3 The detected energy shall be indicated on a meter
9.3.1 Locate the detection probe a distance of 10.0 m (60.1
readout.
m) from the calibrated leak standard specified in 9.2.1.
8.2 Minimum Instrument Requirements—The instrument
9.3.2 Check to see that the detector probe and leak source
shall meet the following requirements:
are aligned to obtain the peak response (see Fig. 1).
8.2.1 The detected ultrasonic energy shall be indicated on a
9.3.3 Adjust the instrument’s meter to a meter reading of
meterreadoutthatshallhavepointerdeflectiongreatenoughto
50% of full scale (65%).
exceed normal background fluctuations. The meter indication
9.3.4 Place a sound absorbing barrier in front of the micro-
may have a correlation to decibels.
phone, blocking out the calibrated leak source; the meter
8.2.2 The audible response shall consist of the down-
readingshouldzerowithacorrespondingabsenceofanaudible
converted heterodyned ultrasonic signal.This audio signal will
signal.
be representative of the amplitude or frequency characteristics,
9.4 Recalibration:
or both, of the original ultrasonic signal. Heterodyned signals
9.4.1 Recheckorvalidatethesensitivityoftheequipmentat
could allow the operator to discriminate audible background
the beginning of each shift or designated work period interval.
interference as in 7.2.
This test must be performed at the same sensing frequency as
8.2.3 The instrument shall be equipped with a sensitivity
the initial test.
controlorgainadjustment,orboth,toachievetheconditionsof
9.4.2 Recheck the equipment w
...