ASTM E3370-22
(Practice)Standard Practice for Matrix Array Ultrasonic Testing of Composites, Sandwich Core Constructions, and Metals Used in Aerospace Applications
Standard Practice for Matrix Array Ultrasonic Testing of Composites, Sandwich Core Constructions, and Metals Used in Aerospace Applications
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The procedures described in this practice have proven utility in the inspecting (1) monolithic polymer matrix composites for bulk defects, (2) metals for corrosion during the service life of the part of interest, (3) thickness checks, (4) adhesive bonding of metals, composites, and sandwich core constructions, (5) coatings, and (6) composite filament windings.
5.2 This practice provides guidelines for the application of longitudinal wave examination to the detection and quantitative evaluation of damage, discontinuities, and thickness variations in materials.
5.3 This practice is intended primarily for the testing of parts to acceptance criteria most typically specified in a purchase order or other contractual document, and for testing of parts in-service to detect and evaluate damage.
5.4 MAUT search units provide near-surface resolution and detection of small discontinuities comparable to phased array probes. They may or may not be capable of beam steering. The advantage of MAUT for straight-beam longitudinal wave inspections is the ability to provide real-time C-scan data, which facilitates data interpretation and shortens inspection time. Depending on inspection needs, data can be displayed as A-, B- or C-scans, or three-dimensional renderings. Toggling between pulse-echo and through transmission ultrasonic (TTU) modes without having to use another system or changing transducers is also possible.
5.5 The MAUT technique has proven utility in the inspection of multi-ply carbon-fiber reinforced laminates used in primary aircraft structures.11
5.6 For ultrasonic testing, the flat panel composites and sandwich core materials using conventional UT equipment consult Practice E2580. Consult Practice E114 for ultrasonic testing of materials by the pulse-echo method using straightbeam longitudinal waves introduced by a piezoelectric element (transducer) with diameters of 3.2 to 28.6 mm (⅛ to 1⅛ in.) in contact with the material being examined and usuall...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes procedures for matrix array ultrasonic testing (MAUT) of monolithic composites, composite sandwich constructions, and metallic test articles. These procedures can be used throughout the life cycle of a part during product and process design optimization, on line process control, post-manufacturing inspection, and in-service inspection.
1.2 In general, ultrasonic testing is a common volumetric method for detection of embedded or subsurface discontinuities. This practice includes general requirements and procedures which may be used for detecting flaws and for making a relative or approximate evaluation of the size of discontinuities and part anomalies. The types of flaws or discontinuities detected include delamination, foreign object debris, inclusions, disbond/un-bond, fiber debonding, porosity, voids, impact damage, thickness variation, and corrosion.
1.3 Typical test articles include monolithic composite lay-ups such as uniaxial, cross ply and angle ply laminates, sandwich constructions, bonded structures, and filament windings, as well as forged, wrought and cast metallic parts. Two techniques can be considered based on accessibility of the inspection surface: namely, pulse echo inspection for one-sided access and through-transmission for two-sided access. As used in this practice, both require the use of a pulsed straight-beam ultrasonic longitudinal wave followed by observing indications of either the reflected (pulse-echo) or received (through transmission) wave.
1.4 This practice provides two ultrasonic test procedures. Each has its own merits and requirements for inspection and shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual document.
1.4.1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo (non-contacting and contacting) is at a minimum a single matrix array transducer transmitting and receiving longitudinal waves in the range of 0.5 to 20 MHz (see Fig. 1). This procedure requires access t...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: E3370 − 22
Standard Practice for
Matrix Array Ultrasonic Testing of Composites, Sandwich
Core Constructions, and Metals Used in Aerospace
1
Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3370; 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 0.5 to 20 MHz (see Fig. 1). This procedure requires access to
only one side of the specimen. This procedure can be con-
1.1 This practice establishes procedures for matrix array
ducted by automated or manual means. Automated and manual
ultrasonic testing (MAUT) of monolithic composites, compos-
test results may be analyzed in real time or recorded and
ite sandwich constructions, and metallic test articles. These
analyzed later.
procedures can be used throughout the life cycle of a part
1.4.2 Test Procedure B, Through Transmission (non-
during product and process design optimization, on line pro-
contacting and contacting) is a combination of two transduc-
cess control, post-manufacturing inspection, and in-service
ers. One transmits a longitudinal wave and the other receives
inspection.
the longitudinal wave in the range of 0.5 to 20 MHz (see Fig.
1.2 In general, ultrasonic testing is a common volumetric
2). This procedure requires access to both sides of the
method for detection of embedded or subsurface discontinui-
specimen. This procedure can be conducted by automated or
ties. This practice includes general requirements and proce-
manual means. Automated and manual test results may be
dures which may be used for detecting flaws and for making a
imaged or recorded.
relative or approximate evaluation of the size of discontinuities
1.5 Other contact methods such as angle-beam techniques
and part anomalies. The types of flaws or discontinuities
using shear waves to characterize welds, or surface-beam
detected include delamination, foreign object debris,
techniques using Lamb waves to detect impact damage in
inclusions, disbond/un-bond, fiber debonding, porosity, voids,
composite panel structures are not covered.
impact damage, thickness variation, and corrosion.
1.6 This practice does not specify accept-reject criteria.
1.3 Typical test articles include monolithic composite lay-
ups such as uniaxial, cross ply and angle ply laminates, 1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
sandwich constructions, bonded structures, and filament as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
windings, as well as forged, wrought and cast metallic parts. provided for information only and are not considered standard.
Two techniques can be considered based on accessibility of the
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
inspection surface: namely, pulse echo inspection for one-sided
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
access and through-transmission for two-sided access. As used
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in this practice, both require the use of a pulsed straight-beam
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ultrasonic longitudinal wave followed by observing indications
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of either the reflected (pulse-echo) or received (through trans-
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
mission) wave.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.4 This practice provides two ultrasonic test procedures.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Each has its own merits and requirements for inspection and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual document.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.4.1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo (non-contacting and
contacting) is at a minimum a single matrix array transducer
2. Referenced Documents
transmitting and receiving longitudinal waves in the range of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
2
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Ultrasonic Method. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published January 2023. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E3370-22. the ASTM website.
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