ASTM E215-98(2004)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Standardizing Equipment for Electromagnetic Examination of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube
Standard Practice for Standardizing Equipment for Electromagnetic Examination of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended as a guide for standardizing eddy-current equipment employed in the examination of seamless aluminum-alloy tube. Artificial discontinuities consisting of flat-bottomed or through holes, or both, are employed as the means of standardizing the eddy-current system. General requirements for eddy-current examination procedures are included.
1.2 Procedures for fabrication of reference standards are given in Appendixes and .
1.3 This practice is intended for the examination of tubular products having nominal diameters up to 4 in. [101.6 mm] and wall thicknesses up to the standard depth of penetration (SDP) of eddy currents for the particular alloy (conductivity) being examined and the examination frequency being used. Note 1This practice may also be used for larger diameters or heavier walls up to the effective depth of penetration (EDP) of eddy currents as specified by the using party or parties.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria. They must be established by the using party or parties.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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:E215–98 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Practice for
Standardizing Equipment for Electromagnetic Examination
of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E215; 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 specification has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
´ NOTE—Reapproved with editorial changes throughout in January 2004.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This practice is intended as a guide for standardizing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
eddy-current equipment employed in the examination of seam- E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestruc-
less aluminum-alloy tube. Artificial discontinuities consisting tive Testing
of flat-bottomed or through holes, or both, are employed as the E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
means of standardizing the eddy-current system. General 2.2 Federal Standard:
requirements for eddy-current examination procedures are Fed Std. No. 245D Tolerance for Aluminum Alloy and
included. Magnesium Alloy Wrought Products
1.2 Procedures for fabrication of reference standards are 2.3 Other Documents:
given in Appendixes X1.1 and X2.1. SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
1.3 This practice is intended for the examination of tubular cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
products having nominal diameters up to 4 in. [101.6 mm] and ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
wall thicknesses up to the standard depth of penetration (SDP) Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
of eddy currents for the particular alloy (conductivity) being NAS-410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nonde-
examined and the examination frequency being used. structive Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)
NOTE 1—This practice may also be used for larger diameters or heavier
3. Terminology
walls up to the effective depth of penetration (EDP) of eddy currents as
3.1 Standard terminology relating to electromagnetic ex-
specified by the using party or parties.
amination may be found in Terminology E1316, Section C,
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Electromagnetic Testing.
as the standard.
1.5 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria.
4. Significance and Use
They must be established by the using party or parties.
4.1 The examination is performed by passing the tube
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
lengthwise through or near an eddy current sensor energized
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
with alternating current of one or more frequencies. The
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
electrical impedance of the eddy current sensor is modified by
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the proximity of the tube. The extent of this modification is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on the ASTM website.
Electromagnetic Methods. AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Current edition approved January 1, 2004. Published February 2004. Originally Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E215 - 98. DOI: Available fromTheAmerican Society for NondestructiveTesting (ASNT), P.O.
10.1520/E0215-98R04E01. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518.
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For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250 Eye
SE-215 in the Code. Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E215–98 (2004)
NOTE 3—MIL-STD-410 is canceled and has been replaced with NAS-
determined by the distance between the eddy current sensor
410, however, it may be used with agreement between contracting parties.
and the tube, the dimensions, and electrical conductivity of the
tube. The presence of metallurgical or mechanical discontinui-
5.2 If specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies
ties in the tube will alter the apparent impedance of the eddy
shall be qualified and evaluated in accordance with Practice
current sensor. During passage of the tube, the changes in eddy
E543. The applicable edition of Practice E543 shall be speci-
currentsensorcharacteristicscausedbylocalizeddifferencesin
fied in the contractual agreement.
the tube produce electrical signals which are amplified and
modified to actuate either an audio or visual signalling device
6. Apparatus
or a mechanical marker to indicate the position of discontinui-
6.1 Electronic Apparatus—The electronic apparatus shall
ties in the tube length. Signals can be produced by disconti-
be capable of energizing eddy current sensors with alternating
nuities located either on the external or internal surface of the
currents of suitable frequencies and shall be capable of sensing
tube or by discontinuities totally contained within the tube
the changes in the electromagnetic characteristics of the eddy
wall.
current sensors. Equipment may include a detector, phase
4.2 The depth of penetration of eddy currents in the tube
discriminator, filter circuits, gating circuits, and signalling
wall is influenced by the conductivity (alloy) of the material
devices as required for the particular application.
being examined and the excitation frequency employed. As
6.2 Eddy Current Sensors—Eddy current sensors shall be
defined by the standard depth of penetration equation, the
capable of inducing currents in the tube and sensing changes in
eddy-current penetration depth is inversely related to conduc-
the electrical characteristics of the tube. The eddy current
tivity and excitation frequency (Note 2). Beyond one standard
sensors may be of the encircling coil (annular) type or surface
depth of penetration (SDP), the capacity to detect discontinui-
probe type.
ties by eddy currents is reduced. Electromagnetic examination
of seamless aluminum alloy tube is most effective when the
7. Standardization of Apparatus
wallthicknessdoesnotexceedtheSDPorinheaviertubewalls
when discontinuities of interest are within one SDP. The limit
7.1 The apparatus shall be adjusted with an appropriate
for detecting metallurgical or mechanical discontinuities by
reference standard to ensure that the equipment is operating at
way of conventional eddy current sensors is generally accepted
the proper level of sensitivity, with the following consider-
to be approximately three times the SDP point and is referred
ations:
to as the effective depth of penetration (EDP).
7.1.1 Primary reference standards employed for this pur-
NOTE 2—The standard depth of penetration is defined by the following pose shall be prepared in accordance with the methods de-
equations:
scribed in Appendix X1.1.
1 7.1.2 Equivalent secondary reference standards, prepared in
SDP 5 503.3
Œ
fs accordance with methods described in Appendix X2.1, also
may be employed for standardizing the apparatus.
7.1.3 Reference standards normally are of the same alloy,
where:
temper, and dimensions as the tube to be examined.
SDP = one standard depth of penetration,
f = frequency, Hz (cycles per second), and 7.1.4 Examinations shall not be conducted unless the equip-
s = conductivity, siemens-metre/mm . ment can be set to the levels required by this standardization
procedure.
or:
7.1.5 For practical applications, reference standards also
may be employed to establish quality control levels.
SDP 5 26
Œ
fs
8. Procedure
8.1 Standardize the examination instrument using the ap-
where:
propriate reference standard prior to examination and check at
SDP = one standard depth of penetration, in
least every 4 h during continuous operation, or whenever
f = frequency in Hz (cycles per second), and
improper functioning of the examination apparatus is sus-
s = conductivity, % IACS.
pected. If improper functioning occurs, restandardize the
apparatus in accordance with Section 7, and reexamine all
5. Basis of Application
tubes examined since the last successful standardization.
5.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel
8.2 Tubes may be examined in the final drawn, annealed, or
performing examinations to this practice shall be qualified in
heat-treated temper, or in the drawn temper prior to the final
accordance with a nationally recognized NDT personnel quali-
anneal or heat treatment.
fication practice or standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189,
SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410, NAS-410, or a similar document 8.3 The length of tube over which end effect is significant
and certified by the certifying agency’s as applicable. The may be determined by placing a series of holes or notches in
practice or standard used and its applicable revision shall be special reference tubes and determining the distance from the
identified in the contractual agreement between the using tube end at which the signal amplitude from the discontinuities
parties. begins to decrease.
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E215–98 (2004)
9. Application 9.3.3 Phase Setting—The phase setting should be selected
to provide the best signal-to-noise ratio for the reference
9.1 Thisapplicationcoverstheelectromagneticexamination
standard employed, that is, the maximum ratio of indication
of aluminum-alloy seamless tube using primary and secondary
height from the appropriate artificial discontinuities to the
reference standards.
indication height from nondetrimental discontinuities.
9.2 Primaryandsecondaryreferencestandards,describedin
9.3.4 Filter Setting—The filter setting should be selected
Appendixes X1.1 and X2.1, respectively, when used as accep-
tance standards, will establish probable detection of defects commensurate with the examination speed to provide optimum
filtering of non-detrimental, time-varying discontinuities such
that are of a severity likely to cause leaks or substantial
weakening of the tube. as geometry, pathline variation, high-frequency noise, etc.
9.3 Using electronic apparatus and eddy current sensors
9.3.5 Sensitivity Setting—The sensitivity setting shall be
described in Section 6, the equipment sensitivity shall be
adjusted to provide clearly discernible indications of a conve-
standardized in accordance with Section 7 under the following
nient height for the appropriate accept holes (A or d ), but it
a
examination conditions:
shall not be high enough to cause off-scale or saturated
9.3.1 Frequency—The frequency shall be in the range from
indications for the appropriate reject holes (2A or d)ofthe
b
1to125kHz.Theexaminationfrequencyshouldbeadjustedto
reference standard.
provide optimum penetration of the tube wall or to place
9.3.6 Threshold-Level Setting—The threshold-level setting
discontinuities of interest within one SDP. Discontinuities
(reject level) shall be adjusted to automatically trigger an audio
located deeper than the SDP point will be detected with less
or visual-signalling device or a mechanical marker when the
sensitivity. The SDP point will vary as a function of the tube
appropriate artificial discontinuity (or discontinuities) of the
alloy (conductivity) and examination frequency and may be
acceptance standard passes through or by the eddy current
determined by the depth of penetration equation given in
sensor.
Section 4, Note 2.
9.4 When using reference standards as acceptance standards
9.3.2 Speed of Examination—The examination rate, or
the threshold level should be adjusted to accept tubes exhibit-
speed of the tube with respect to the eddy current sensor, may
ing eddy-current responses smaller than those obtained from
vary with the application. In encircling coil applications,
the appropriate reject holes (2A or d ) and to reject those with
b
examination speeds of 15.2 m/min [50 fpm] to 152 m/min [500
responses equivalent to or greater than those obtained from the
fpm] are recommended where possible, but examination
appropriate reject holes (2A or d ) in the reference standard.
b
speeds as high as 305 m/min [1000 fpm] are permissible. In
Experience shows that this procedure will aid in the rejection
surface probe applications, examination speeds are inherently
of severe defects and, at the same time, minimize erroneous
slower due to reduced surface coverage and the necessity to
rejection of tubes that might exhibit noise from non-
rotate the eddy current sensor or the tube to produce a helical
detrimental discontinuities.
scan. All instrument adjustments, that is, frequency, phase
setting, filter setting, sensitivity setting, threshold-level setting,
10. Keywords
etc., shall be made with the reference standard or acceptance
standard or both passing through or by the eddy current sensor 10.1 aluminum alloy; eddy currents; electromagnetic ex-
at the same speed at which the examination of tube is to be amination; equipment standardization; NDT; nondestructive
conducted. testing; tubing
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. PURPOSE, DESCRIPTION, FABRICATION, AND CHECKING OF PRIMARY REFERENCE STANDARDS
X1.1 Purpose X1.2 Description
X1.1.1 Primary reference standards are used to standardize
X1.2.1 The primary reference standard shall contain six
examination equipment under operating conditions to establish
artificial discontinuities in the form of flat-bottomed drilled
acceptable limits of sensitivity, reproducibility, and capability
holes in a 183-cm [6-ft] length of tube which is free of
for detecting defects of a severity likely to cause leaks or
significant natural discontinuities. Fig. X1.1 describes the
substantial weakening of the tube.
primary reference standard for aluminum-alloy seamless tube.
X1.1.2 Thedimensionsoftheappropriateprimaryreference
X1.2.2 The six flat-bottomed holes shall be of equal diam-
standard are determined by the size of the tube to be examined.
eter, d, and shall be located in the mid-portion of the tube. The
Aprimary reference standard shall be a tube of the same alloy,
distance between adjacent holes is 152 mm [6 in.]. The
temper, outside diameter, D, and wall thickness, t, as the tube
minimum distance between a hole
...
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