ASTM A609/A609M-91(2007)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Castings, Carbon, Low-Alloy, and Martensitic Stainless Steel, Ultrasonic Examination Thereof
Standard Practice for Castings, Carbon, Low-Alloy, and Martensitic Stainless Steel, Ultrasonic Examination Thereof
ABSTRACT
This test method deals with the procedures for the standard practice of performing pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of heat-treated carbon, low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel castings by the longitudinal-beam technique. Calibration shall be executed by either flat-bottomed hole or back-wall reflection. The instrument to be used for examination shall be the ultrasonic, pulsed, reflection type. Personnel and equipment qualifications, materials preparation, casting and test conditions, data recording methods, and the acceptance standards for both types of testing procedure are all detailed thoroughly.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the standards and procedures for the pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of heat-treated carbon, low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel castings by the longitudinal-beam technique.
1.2 This practice is to be used whenever the inquiry, contract, order, or specification states that castings are to be subjected to ultrasonic examination in accordance with Practice A 609/A 609M.
1.3 This practice contains two procedures for ultrasonic inspection of carbon, low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel castings; that is, Procedure A and Procedure B. Procedure A is the original A 609/A 609M practice and requires calibration using a series of test blocks containing flat bottomed holes. It also provides supplementary requirements for angle beam testing. Procedure B requires calibration using a back wall reflection from a series of solid calibration blocks.
Note 1-Ultrasonic examination and radiography are not directly comparable. This examination technique is intended to complement Guide E 94 in the detection of discontinuities.
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with this practice.
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: A609/A609M – 91 (Reapproved 2007)
Standard Practice for
Castings, Carbon, Low-Alloy, and Martensitic Stainless
Steel, Ultrasonic Examination Thereof
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA609/A609M; 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 (´) 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 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This practice covers the standards and procedures for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of heat-treated carbon, A217/A217M Specification for Steel Castings, Martensitic
low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel castings by the Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suit-
longitudinal-beam technique. able for High-Temperature Service
1.2 This practice is to be used whenever the inquiry, E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination
contract, order, or specification states that castings are to be E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics
subjected to ultrasonic examination in accordance with Prac- of Ultrasonic Pulse-EchoTesting Instruments and Systems
tice A609/A609M. without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
1.3 This practice contains two procedures for ultrasonic 2.2 Other Document:
inspection of carbon, low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Non-Destructive
castings; that is, ProcedureAand Procedure B. ProcedureAis Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
the original A609/A609M practice and requires calibration
3. Ordering Information
using a series of test blocks containing flat bottomed holes. It
3.1 Theinquiryandordershouldspecifywhichprocedureis
also provides supplementary requirements for angle beam
testing. Procedure B requires calibration using a back wall tobeused.Ifaprocedureisnotspecified,ProcedureAshallbe
used.
reflection from a series of solid calibration blocks.
3.2 Procedure A—Flat-Bottomed Hole Calibration Proce-
NOTE 1—Ultrasonic examination and radiography are not directly
dure:
comparable.ThisexaminationtechniqueisintendedtocomplementGuide
3.2.1 When this practice is to be applied to an inquiry,
E94 in the detection of discontinuities.
contract, or order, the purchaser shall furnish the following
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
information:
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
3.2.1.1 Quality levels for the entire casting or portions
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
thereof,
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must
3.2.1.2 Sections of castings requiring longitudinal-beam
beusedindependentlyoftheother.Combiningvaluesfromthe
examination,
two systems may result in nonconformance with this practice.
3.2.1.3 Sections of castings requiring dual element exami-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nation,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1.4 Sectionsofcastingsrequiringsupplementaryexami-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nation, using the angle-beam procedure described in Supple-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mentary Requirement S1 in order to achieve more complete
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
examination, and
3.2.1.5 Anyrequirementsadditionaltotheprovisionsofthis
practice.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and RelatedAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.18 on Castings. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as A609/A609M–91 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(2002). DOI: 10.1520/A0609_A0609M-91R07. the ASTM website.
2 4
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi- AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
cation SA-609 of Section II of that Code. 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.
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
3.3 Procedure B: Back-Wall Reflection Calibration
Procedure—Whenthisprocedureistobeappliedtoaninquiry,
contract, or order, the purchaser shall designate the quality
levels for the entire casting or applicable portions.
PROCEDURE A—FLAT-BOTTOMED HOLE
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
4. Apparatus
4.1 Electronic Apparatus:
4.1.1 An ultrasonic, pulsed, reflection type of instrument
that is capable of generating, receiving, and amplifying fre-
quencies of at least 1 to 5 MHz.
4.1.2 The ultrasonic instrument shall provide linear presen-
tation (within 65%) for at least 75% of the screen height
(sweep line to top of screen). Linearity shall be determined in
accordance with Practice E317 or equivalent electronic means.
4.1.3 The electronic apparatus shall contain a signal attenu-
ator or calibrated gain control that shall be accurate over its
useful range to 610% of the nominal attenuation or gain ratio
toallowmeasurementofsignalsbeyondthelinearrangeofthe
instrument.
NOTE 1—Opposite ends of reference block shall be flat and parallel
within 0.001 in. [0.025 mm].
4.2 Search Units:
NOTE 2—Bottom of flat-bottom hole shall be flat within 0.002-in.
4.2.1 Longitudinal Wave,internallygrounded,havinga½to
[0.051 mm] and the finished diameter shall be ⁄4 + 0.002 in. [6.4 +
1! in. [13 to 28 mm] diameter or 1-in. [25-mm] square
0.050].
piezo-electric elements. Based on the signals-to-noise ratio of
NOTE 3—Hole shall be straight and perpendicular to entry surface
the response pattern of the casting, a frequency in the range
within 0°, 30 min and located within ⁄32 in. [0.80 mm] of longitudinal
from1to5MHzshallbeused.Thebackgroundnoiseshallnot
axis.
1 1
exceed 25% of the distance amplitude correction curve NOTE 4—Counter bore shall be ⁄2 in. [15.0 mm] diameter by ⁄8 in. [5
mm] deep.
(DAC).Transducers shall be utilized at their rated frequencies.
FIG. 1 Ultrasonic Standard Reference Block
4.2.2 Dual-Element,5-MHz,½by1-in.[13by25-mm],12°
includedanglesearchunitsarerecommendedforsections1in.
TABLE 1 Dimensions and Identification of Reference Blocks in
[25 mm] and under.
the Basic Set (See Fig. 1)
4.2.3 Other frequencies and sizes of search units may be
Metal Overall Width or Block
used for evaluating and pinpointing indications.
Hole Diameter
Distance Length Diameter Identifi-
in ⁄64 ths, in.
A
4.3 Reference Blocks:
(B),in. (C),in. (D), min, cation
[mm]
[mm] [mm] in. [mm] Number
4.3.1 Referenceblockscontainingflat-bottomholesshallbe
16 [6.4] 1 [25] 1 ⁄4 [45] 2 [50] 16-0100
used to establish test sensitivity in accordance with 8.2.
16 [6.4] 2 [50] 2 ⁄4 [70] 2 [50] 16-0200
4.3.2 Reference blocks shall be made from cast steels that
16 [6.4] 3 [75] 3 ⁄4 [95] 2 [50] 16-0300
give an acoustic response similar to the castings being exam- 3
16 [6.4] 6 [150] 6 ⁄4 [170] 3 [75] 16-0600
ined. 16 [6.4] 10 [255] 10 ⁄4 [275] 4 [100] 16-1000
3 B
16 [6.4] B B + ⁄4 [B + 20] 5 [125] 16-B00
4.3.3 The design of reference blocks shall be in accordance
A
Tolerance 6 ⁄8 in. [3 mm].
withFig.1,andthebasicsetshallconsistofthoseblockslisted
B
Additional supplemental blocks for testing thickness greater than 10 in. [250
inTable 1.When section thicknesses over 15 in. [380-mm] are
mm], see 4.3.3.
to be inspected, an additional block of the maximum test
thickness shall be made to supplement the basic set.
5. Personnel Requirements
4.3.4 Machined blocks with ⁄32-in. [2.4-mm] diameter flat-
bottom holes at depths from the entry surface of ⁄8 in. [3 mm], 5.1 The manufacturer shall be responsible for assigning
1 1 3 3
⁄2 in. [13 mm], or ⁄2 t and ⁄4 in. [19 mm], or ⁄4 t (where t =
qualified personnel to perform ultrasonic examination in con-
thickness of the block) shall be used to establish the DAC for formance with the requirements of this practice.
the dual-element search units (see Fig. 2).
5.2 Personnel performing ultrasonic examinations in accor-
4.3.5 Each reference block shall be permanently identified dance with this practice shall be familiar with the following:
alongthesideoftheblockindicatingthematerialandtheblock
5.2.1 Ultrasonic terminology,
identification. 5.2.2 Instrument calibration,
4.4 Couplant—A suitable couplant having good wetting 5.2.3 Effect of transducer material, size, frequency, and
characteristics shall be used between the search unit and mode on test results,
examination surface. The same couplant shall be used for 5.2.4 Effect of material structure (grain size, cleanliness,
calibrations and examinations. etc.) on test results,
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
NOTE 1—Entrant surface shall be 250 µin. [6.3 µm] or finer.
NOTE 2—The ⁄32-in.[2.4mm]flat-bottomholemustbeflatwithin0.002in.[0.05mm].Diametermustbewithin+0.005in.[0.13mm]oftherequired
diameter. Hole axis must be perpendicular to the block and within an angle of 0°, 30 min.
NOTE 3—Hole shall be plugged following checking for ultrasonic response.
in. [mm] in. [mm]
1 1
⁄8 [3] 1 ⁄4 [32]
1 1
⁄4 [6] 1 ⁄2 [38]
1 3
⁄2 [13] 1 ⁄4 [44]
⁄4 [19.0] 2 [50]
1 [25] 10 [254]
FIG. 2 Ultrasonic Standard Reference Block for Dual-Search Unit Calibration
5.2.5 Effect of test distance on test results, 7.3 The ultrasonic beam shall be introduced perpendicular
5.2.6 Effect of nonlinearity on test results, to the examination surface.
5.2.7 Effect of thickness and orientation of discontinuities
8. Procedure
on test results, and
5.2.8 Effect of surface roughness on test results. 8.1 Adjust the instrument controls to position the first back
reflection for the thickness to be tested at least one half of the
5.3 Aqualification record (see Note 2) of personnel consid-
ered suitable by the manufacturer to perform examinations in distance across the cathode ray tube.
8.2 Usingthesetofreferenceblocksspanningthethickness
accordance with this practice shall be available upon request.
of the casting being inspected, mark the flat-bottom hole
NOTE 2—SNT-TC-1A, Ultrasonic Testing Method, provides a recom-
indication height for each of the applicable blocks on the
mended procedure for qualifying personnel. Other personnel qualification
cathode ray tube shield. Draw a curve through these marks on
requirement documents may by used when agreed upon between the
the screen or on suitable graph paper. The maximum signal
purchaser and the supplier.
amplitude for the test blocks used shall peak at approximately
6. Casting Conditions
three-fourthsofthescreenheightabovethesweepbyuseofthe
6.1 Castings shall receive at least an austenitizing heat attenuator.Thiscurveshallbereferredtoasthe100%distance
treatment before being ultrasonically examined. amplitude correction (DAC) curve. If the attenuation of ultra-
6.2 Test surfaces of castings shall be free of material that sound in the casting thickness being examined is such that the
will interfere with the ultrasonic examination. They may be as system’s dynamic range is exceeded, segmented DAC curves
cast, blasted, ground, or machined. are permitted.
6.3 The ultrasonic examination shall be conducted prior to 8.3 The casting examination surface will normally be
machining that prevents an effective examination of the cast- rougher than that of the test blocks; consequently, employ a
ing. transfer mechanism to provide approximate compensation. In
order to accomplish this, first select a region of the casting that
7. Test Conditions
has parallel walls and a surface condition representative of the
7.1 To assure complete coverage of the specified casting restofthecastingasatransferpoint.Next,selectthetestblock
section, each pass of the search unit shall overlap by at least whose overall length, C (Fig. 1), most closely matches the
10% of the width of the transducer. reflection amplitude through the block length. Place the search
7.2 Therateofscanningshallnotexceed6in./s[150mm/s]. unit on the casting at the transfer point and adjust the
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
TABLE 2 Rejection Level
instrument gain until the back reflection amplitude through the
casting matches that through the test block. Using this transfer
NOTE 1—The areas in the table refer to the surface area on the casting
technique, the examination sensitivity in the casting may be
overwhichacontinuousindicationexceedingtheamplitudereferenceline
expected to be within 630% or less of that given by the test or a continuous loss of back reflection of 75% or greater is maintained.
NOTE 2— Areas shall be measured from the center of the search unit.
blocks.
NOTE 3—In certain castings, because of very long test distances or
8.4 Do not change those instrument controls and the test
curvature of the test surface, the casting surface area over which a given
frequency set during calibration, except the attenuator, or
discontinuity is detected may be considerably larger or smaller than the
calibrated gain control, during acceptance examination of a
actual area of the discontinuity in the casting; in such cases a graphic plot
given thickness of the casting. Make a periodic calibration
that incorporates a consideration of beam spread should be used for
during the inspection by checking the amplitude of response
realistic evaluation of the discontinuity.
2 2
from the ⁄4-in. [6.4-mm] diameter flat-bottom hole in the test
Area, in. [cm ]
Ultrasonic Testing Length, max,
(see 10.2.1 and
block utilized for the transfer.
Quality Level in. [mm]
10.2.2)
NOTE 3—The attenuator or calibrated gain control may be used to
1 0.8 [5] 1.5 [40]
changethesignalamplitudeduringexaminationtopermitsmallamplitude
2 1.5 [10] 2.2 [55]
signalstobemorereadilydetected.Signalevaluationismadebyreturning 3 3 [20] 3.0 [75]
4 5 [30] 3.9 [100]
the attenuator or calibrated gain control to its original setting.
5 8 [50] 4.8 [120]
6 12 [80] 6.0 [150]
8.5 During examination of areas of the casting having
7 16 [100] 6.9 [175]
parallel walls, recheck areas showing 75% or greater loss of
back reflection to determine whether loss of back reflection is
due to poor contact, insufficient couplant, misoriented discon-
10.2.2 No reduction of back reflection of 75% or greater
tinuity, etc. If the reason for loss of back reflection is not
that has been dete
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:A 609/A 609M–91 (Reapproved 2002) Designation: A609/A609M – 91
(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Practice for
Castings, Carbon, Low-Alloy, and Martensitic Stainless
Steel, Ultrasonic Examination Thereof
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA609/A609M; 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 (´) 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 covers the standards and procedures for the pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of heat-treated carbon,
low-alloy, and martensitic stainless steel castings by the longitudinal-beam technique.
1.2 This practice is to be used whenever the inquiry, contract, order, or specification states that castings are to be subjected to
ultrasonic examination in accordance with Practice A609/A609M.
1.3 Thispracticecontainstwoproceduresforultrasonicinspectionofcarbon,low-alloy,andmartensiticstainlesssteelcastings;
that is, ProcedureAand Procedure B. ProcedureAis the originalA609/A609M practice and requires calibration using a series of
test blocks containing flat bottomed holes. It also provides supplementary requirements for angle beam testing. Procedure B
requires calibration using a back wall reflection from a series of solid calibration blocks.
NOTE 1—Ultrasonic examination and radiography are not directly comparable.This examination technique is intended to complement Guide E 94E94
in the detection of discontinuities.
1.4 Thevaluesstatedineitherinch-poundunitsorSIunitsaretoberegardedseparatelyasstandard.Withinthetext,theSIunits
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with this practice.
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:
A217/A217M Specification for Steel Castings, Martensitic Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for
High-Temperature Service
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination
E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo ExaminationTesting Instruments and
Systems Withoutwithout the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
2.2 Other Document:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
3. Ordering Information
3.1 The inquiry and order should specify which procedure is to be used. If a procedure is not specified, Procedure A shall be
used.
3.2 Procedure A—Flat-Bottomed Hole Calibration Procedure:
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.18
on Castings.
Current edition approved March 10, 2002. Published July 1992. Originally published as A 609–70. Last previous edition A 609/A 609M–90.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as A609/A609M–91 (2002).
DOI: 10.1520/A0609_A0609M-91R07.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specification SA-609 of Section II of that Code.
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 01.02.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
Available from 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.
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
3.2.1 When this practice is to be applied to an inquiry, contract, or order, the purchaser shall furnish the following information:
3.2.1.1 Quality levels for the entire casting or portions thereof,
3.2.1.2 Sections of castings requiring longitudinal-beam examination,
3.2.1.3 Sections of castings requiring dual element examination,
3.2.1.4 Sections of castings requiring supplementary examination, using the angle-beam procedure described in Supplementary
Requirement S1 in order to achieve more complete examination, and
3.2.1.5 Any requirements additional to the provisions of this practice.
3.3 Procedure B: Back-Wall Reflection Calibration Procedure—When this procedure is to be applied to an inquiry, contract, or
order, the purchaser shall designate the quality levels for the entire casting or applicable portions.
PROCEDURE A—FLAT-BOTTOMED HOLE CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
4. Apparatus
4.1 Electronic Apparatus:
4.1.1 An ultrasonic, pulsed, reflection type of instrument that is capable of generating, receiving, and amplifying frequencies
of at least 1 to 5 MHz.
4.1.2 The ultrasonic instrument shall provide linear presentation (within 65%) for at least 75% of the screen height (sweep
line to top of screen). Linearity shall be determined in accordance with Practice E 317E317 or equivalent electronic means.
4.1.3 The electronic apparatus shall contain a signal attenuator or calibrated gain control that shall be accurate over its useful
rangeto 610%ofthenominalattenuationorgainratiotoallowmeasurementofsignalsbeyondthelinearrangeoftheinstrument.
4.2 Search Units:
4.2.1 Longitudinal Wave, internally grounded, havinga½to1! in. [13 to 28 mm] diameter or 1-in. [25-mm] square
piezo-electric elements. Based on the signals-to-noise ratio of the response pattern of the casting, a frequency in the range from
1 to 5 MHz shall be used. The background noise shall not exceed 25% of the distance amplitude correction curve (DAC).
Transducers shall be utilized at their rated frequencies.
4.2.2 Dual-Element,5-MHz,½by1-in.[13by25-mm],12°includedanglesearchunitsarerecommendedforsections1in.[25
mm] and under.
4.2.3 Other frequencies and sizes of search units may be used for evaluating and pinpointing indications.
4.3 Reference Blocks:
4.3.1 Reference blocks containing flat-bottom holes shall be used to establish test sensitivity in accordance with 8.2.
4.3.2 Reference blocks shall be made from cast steels that give an acoustic response similar to the castings being examined.
4.3.3 The design of reference blocks shall be in accordance with Fig. 1, and the basic set shall consist of those blocks listed
inTable 1.When section thicknesses over 15 in. [380-mm] are to be inspected, an additional block of the maximum test thickness
shall be made to supplement the basic set.
3 1 1
4.3.4 Machined blocks with ⁄32-in. [2.4-mm] diameter flat-bottom holes at depths from the entry surface of ⁄8 in. [3 mm], ⁄2
1 3 3
in. [13 mm], or ⁄2 t and ⁄4 in. [19 mm], or ⁄4 t (where t = thickness of the block) shall be used to establish the DAC for the
dual-element search units (see Fig. 2).
4.3.5 Each reference block shall be permanently identified along the side of the block indicating the material and the block
identification.
4.4 Couplant—Asuitable couplant having good wetting characteristics shall be used between the search unit and examination
surface. The same couplant shall be used for calibrations and examinations.
5. Personnel Requirements
5.1 The manufacturer shall be responsible for assigning qualified personnel to perform ultrasonic examination in conformance
with the requirements of this practice.
5.2 Personnel performing ultrasonic examinations in accordance with this practice shall be familiar with the following:
5.2.1 Ultrasonic terminology,
5.2.2 Instrument calibration,
5.2.3 Effect of transducer material, size, frequency, and mode on test results,
5.2.4 Effect of material structure (grain size, cleanliness, etc.) on test results,
5.2.5 Effect of test distance on test results,
5.2.6 Effect of nonlinearity on test results,
5.2.7 Effect of thickness and orientation of discontinuities on test results, and
5.2.8 Effect of surface roughness on test results.
5.3 A qualification record (see Note 2) of personnel considered suitable by the manufacturer to perform examinations in
accordance with this practice shall be available upon request.
NOTE 2—SNT-TC-1A, Ultrasonic Testing Method, provides a recommended procedure for qualifying personnel. Other personnel qualification
requirement documents may by used when agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
NOTE 1—Opposite ends of reference block shall be flat and parallel
within 0.001 in. [0.025 mm].
NOTE 2—Bottom of flat-bottom hole shall be flat within 0.002-in.
[0.051 mm] and the finished diameter shall be ⁄4 + 0.002 in. [6.4 +
0.050].
NOTE 3—Hole shall be straight and perpendicular to entry surface
within 0°, 30 min and located within ⁄32 in. [0.80 mm] of longitudinal
axis.
1 1
NOTE 4—Counter bore shall be ⁄2 in. [15.0 mm] diameter by ⁄8 in. [5
mm] deep.
FIG. 1 Ultrasonic Standard Reference Block
TABLE 1 Dimensions and Identification of Reference Blocks in
the Basic Set (See Fig. 1)
Metal Overall Width or Block
Hole Diameter
Distance Length Diameter Identifi-
in ⁄64 ths, in.
A
(B),in. (C),in. (D), min, cation
[mm]
[mm] [mm] in. [mm] Number
16 [6.4] 1 [25] 1 ⁄4 [45] 2 [50] 16-0100
16 [6.4] 2 [50] 2 ⁄4 [70] 2 [50] 16-0200
16 [6.4] 3 [75] 3 ⁄4 [95] 2 [50] 16-0300
16 [6.4] 6 [150] 6 ⁄4 [170] 3 [75] 16-0600
16 [6.4] 10 [255] 10 ⁄4 [275] 4 [100] 16-1000
3 B
16 [6.4] B B + ⁄4 [B + 20] 5 [125] 16-B00
A
Tolerance 6 ⁄8 in. [3 mm].
B
Additional supplemental blocks for testing thickness greater than 10 in. [250
mm], see 4.3.3.
6. Casting Conditions
6.1 Castings shall receive at least an austenitizing heat treatment before being ultrasonically examined.
6.2 Test surfaces of castings shall be free of material that will interfere with the ultrasonic examination. They may be as cast,
blasted, ground, or machined.
6.3 The ultrasonic examination shall be conducted prior to machining that prevents an effective examination of the casting.
7. Test Conditions
7.1 To assure complete coverage of the specified casting section, each pass of the search unit shall overlap by at least 10% of
the width of the transducer.
7.2 The rate of scanning shall not exceed 6 in./s [150 mm/s].
7.3 The ultrasonic beam shall be introduced perpendicular to the examination surface.
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
NOTE 1—Entrant surface shall be 250 µin. [6.3 µm] or finer.
NOTE 2—The ⁄32-in.[2.4mm]flat-bottomholemustbeflatwithin0.002in.[0.05mm].Diametermustbewithin+0.005in.[0.13mm]oftherequired
diameter. Hole axis must be perpendicular to the block and within an angle of 0°, 30 min.
NOTE 3—Hole shall be plugged following checking for ultrasonic response.
in. [mm] in. [mm]
1 1
⁄8 [3] 1 ⁄4 [32]
1 1
⁄4 [6] 1 ⁄2 [38]
1 3
⁄2 [13] 1 ⁄4 [44]
⁄4 [19.0] 2 [50]
1 [25] 10 [254]
FIG. 2 Ultrasonic Standard Reference Block for Dual-Search Unit Calibration
8. Procedure
8.1 Adjust the instrument controls to position the first back reflection for the thickness to be tested at least one half of the
distance across the cathode ray tube.
8.2 Usingthesetofreferenceblocksspanningthethicknessofthecastingbeinginspected,marktheflat-bottomholeindication
height for each of the applicable blocks on the cathode ray tube shield. Draw a curve through these marks on the screen or on
suitable graph paper. The maximum signal amplitude for the test blocks used shall peak at approximately three-fourths of the
screen height above the sweep by use of the attenuator.This curve shall be referred to as the 100% distance amplitude correction
(DAC) curve. If the attenuation of ultrasound in the casting thickness being examined is such that the system’s dynamic range is
exceeded, segmented DAC curves are permitted.
8.3 The casting examination surface will normally be rougher than that of the test blocks; consequently, employ a transfer
mechanism to provide approximate compensation. In order to accomplish this, first select a region of the casting that has parallel
walls and a surface condition representative of the rest of the casting as a transfer point. Next, select the test block whose overall
length, C (Fig. 1), most closely matches the reflection amplitude through the block length. Place the search unit on the casting at
the transfer point and adjust the instrument gain until the back reflection amplitude through the casting matches that through the
test block. Using this transfer technique, the examination sensitivity in the casting may be expected to be within 630% or less
of that given by the test blocks.
8.4 Do not change those instrument controls and the test frequency set during calibration, except the attenuator, or calibrated
gain control, during acceptance examination of a given thickness of the casting. Make a periodic calibration during the inspection
bycheckingtheamplitudeofresponsefromthe ⁄4-in.[6.4-mm]diameterflat-bottomholeinthetestblockutilizedforthetransfer.
NOTE 3—The attenuator or calibrated gain control may be used to change the signal amplitude during examination to permit small amplitude signals
to be more readily detected. Signal evaluation is made by returning the attenuator or calibrated gain control to its original setting.
8.5 During examination of areas of the casting having parallel walls, recheck areas showing 75% or greater loss of back
reflection to determine whether loss of back reflection is due to poor contact, insufficient couplant, misoriented discontinuity, etc.
If the reason for loss of back reflection is not evident, consider the area questionable and further investigate.
9. Report
9.1 The manufacturer’s report of final ultrasonic examination shall contain the following data and shall be furnished to the
purchaser:
9.1.1 Thetotalnumber,location,amplitude,andareawhenpossibletodelineateboundariesbymonitoringthemovementofthe
A609/A609M – 91 (2007)
center of the search unit of all
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