ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023)

Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard procedure and acceptance for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examination of rolled fully killed carbon and alloy steel plates. The equipment shall be of the pulse-echo straight beam type. Nondestructive examination of the material shall be conducted in an area free of operations that interfere with proper functioning of the equipment. The test shall be done by one of the following methods: direct contact, immersion, or liquid column coupling. Ultrasonic examination shall be made on either major surface of the plate. Grid scanning shall be continuous along perpendicular grid lines or shall be continuous along parallel paths, transverse to the major plate axis, or shall be continuous along parallel paths, parallel to the major plate axis, or smaller centers. Any discontinuity indication causing a total loss of back reflection which cannot be contained within a circle is unacceptable.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers the procedure and acceptance standards for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examination of rolled fully killed carbon and alloy steel plates, 1/2 in. [12.5 mm] and over in thickness. It was developed to assure delivery of steel plates free of gross internal discontinuities such as pipe, ruptures, or laminations and is to be used whenever the inquiry, contract, order, or specification states that the plates are to be subjected to ultrasonic examination.  
1.2 Individuals performing examinations in accordance with this specification shall be qualified and certified in accordance with the requirements of the latest edition of ASNT SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent accepted standard. An equivalent standard is one which covers the qualification and certification of ultrasonic nondestructive examination candidates and which is acceptable to the purchaser.  
1.3 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 the specification.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2023
• ICS: 77.040.20 - Non-destructive testing of metals
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.11 - Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A435/A435M-17 - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E1316-24 - Standard Terminology for <?Pub Dtl?>Nondestructive Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E1316-23b - Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A645/A645M-10(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, 5 % and 5<fraction><num>1</num> <den>2</den></fraction> % Nickel Alloy Steels, Specially Heat Treated
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A204/A204M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Molybdenum
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A537/A537M-20 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Heat-Treated, Carbon-Manganese-Silicon Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A841/A841M-17 - Standard Specification for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels, Produced by Thermo-Mechanical Control Process (TMCP)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A299/A299M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, Manganese-Silicon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A736/A736M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A225/A225M-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Manganese-Vanadium-Nickel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A662/A662M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon-Manganese-Silicon Steel, for Moderate and Lower Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and Tempered Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A1017/A1017M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum-Tungsten
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A672/A672M-19 - Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A832/A832M-17 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum-Vanadium
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023), Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates, provides detailed requirements and acceptance standards for the nondestructive examination of rolled fully killed carbon and alloy steel plates using straight-beam, pulse-echo ultrasonic testing. Developed by ASTM International, this standard aims to ensure that steel plates used in pressure vessels, boilers, and critical applications are free from gross internal discontinuities such as pipe, ruptures, or laminations. Compliance with this standard is essential for quality control and assurance in industries where the integrity of steel plates is critical for safety and performance.

Key Topics

• Applicable Materials: Covers rolled fully killed carbon and alloy steel plates, 1/2 inch [12.5 mm] and over in thickness.
• Examination Methods: Describes straight-beam, pulse-echo ultrasonic testing using either direct contact, immersion, or liquid column coupling.
• Test Procedures:
  • Examination may be performed on either major surface of the plate.
  • Scanning patterns can be continuous along grid lines or parallel paths, both transverse and parallel to the plate axis.
  • Grid spacing options include nominal 9-in. [225 mm], 4-in. [100 mm], or 3-in. [75 mm] centers, ensuring comprehensive area coverage.
  • Additional scanning within 2 in. [50 mm] of plate edges is required.
  • Plates must be prepared with clean and smooth surfaces to enable accurate reflection.
• Acceptance Criteria:
  • Any discontinuity causing a total loss of back reflection that cannot be contained in a specified circle size is deemed unacceptable.
  • The manufacturer has the opportunity to repair plates with detected defects prior to final rejection.
• Personnel Qualification: Examinations must be carried out by individuals qualified and certified to the latest edition of ASNT SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent standard.
• Units: Permits the use of either inch-pound or SI units, but they must not be mixed within the same application.

Applications

ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023) is widely used in industries that require high assurance of structural integrity in steel plates, such as:

• Pressure Vessel and Boiler Manufacturing: Ensuring steel plates used in pressure containment are free from harmful discontinuities, helping prevent failures in service.
• Petrochemical and Oil & Gas Sectors: Applied to critical components where plate integrity is essential to process safety.
• Heavy Machinery and Structural Components: Supporting the production of robust machine parts and load-bearing structures.
• Quality Assurance in Steel Mills: Utilized as a contractual and specification requirement to verify that supplied steel plates meet safety and quality expectations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Satisfying requirements for international markets, given its foundation on globally recognized standardization principles.

By following ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023), companies demonstrate due diligence in nondestructive testing and increase confidence in the quality of their steel products.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to nondestructive evaluation, the following related standards are frequently referenced alongside ASTM A435/A435M:

• ASNT SNT-TC-1A: Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing.
• ASTM E317: Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems.
• ASTM E1316: Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations.
• ASTM E2491: Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems.
• ASME SA-435/SA-435M: Pressure vessel code requirements aligning with ASTM A435/A435M for steel plate inspection.

Adhering to ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023) ensures that steel plates meet stringent quality and safety standards, supporting reliability in demanding industrial applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A435/A435M − 17 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A435/A435M; 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 E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems
1.1 This specification covers the procedure and acceptance
without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
standards for straight-beam, pulse-echo, ultrasonic examina-
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
tion of rolled fully killed carbon and alloy steel plates, ⁄2 in.
E2491 Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
[12.5 mm] and over in thickness. It was developed to assure
Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
delivery of steel plates free of gross internal discontinuities
2.2 ASNT Documents:
such as pipe, ruptures, or laminations and is to be used
ASNT SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel
whenever the inquiry, contract, order, or specification states
Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
that the plates are to be subjected to ultrasonic examination.
1.2 Individuals performing examinations in accordance with 3. Terminology
this specification shall be qualified and certified in accordance
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to nonde-
with the requirements of the latest edition of ASNT SNT-
structive examinations used in this specification, refer to
TC-1A or an equivalent accepted standard. An equivalent
Terminology E1316.
standard is one which covers the qualification and certification
of ultrasonic nondestructive examination candidates and which 4. Apparatus
is acceptable to the purchaser.
4.1 The manufacturer shall furnish suitable ultrasonic
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units equipment and qualified personnel necessary for performing
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
the test. The equipment shall be of the pulse-echo straight beam
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each type. The transducer is normally 1 in. to 1 ⁄8 in. [25 mm to
system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each system must
30 mm] in diameter or 1 in. [25 mm] square; however, any
2 2
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the transducer having a minimum active area of 0.7 in. [450 mm ]
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi- may be used, including phased-array probes using an equiva-
cation.
lent active aperture. The test shall be performed by one of the
following methods: direct contact, immersion, or liquid column
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
coupling.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Other search units may be used for evaluating and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
pinpointing indications.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.3 Vertical or horizontal linearity or both shall be checked
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
in accordance with Practice E317, Guide E2491, or another
procedure approved by the users of this specification. An
2. Referenced Documents
acceptable linearity performance may be agreed upon by the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
manufacturer and purchaser.
1 5. Test Conditions
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
5.1 Conduct the examination in an area free of operations
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
that interfere with proper functioning of the equipment.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A435/A435M – 17.
5.2 Clean and smooth the plate surface sufficiently to
DOI: 10.1520/A0435_A0435M-17R23.
2 maintain a reference back reflection from the opposite side of
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi-
cations SA-435/SA-435M in Section II of that Code. the plate at least 50 % of the full scale during scanning.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
the ASTM website. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, https://www.asnt.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A435/A435M − 17 (2023)
5.3 The surf
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