ASTM E499/E499M-11

Standard Practice for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the Detector Probe Mode <a href="#fn00002"></a>

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Test Method A is frequently used to test large systems and complex piping installations that can be filled with a trace gas. Helium is normally used. The test method is used to locate leaks but cannot be used to quantify except for approximation. Care must be taken to provide sufficient ventilation to prevent increasing the helium background at the test site. Results are limited by the helium background and the percentage of the leaking trace gas captured by the probe.
Test Method B is used to increase the concentration of trace gas coming through the leak by capturing it within an enclosure until the signal above the helium background can be detected. By introducing a calibrated leak into the same volume for a recorded time interval, leak rates can be measured.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for testing and locating the sources of gas leaking at the rate of 1 × 10−7 Pa m3/s (1 × 10−8 Std cm3/s) or greater. The test may be conducted on any device or component across which a pressure differential of helium or other suitable tracer gas may be created, and on which the effluent side of the leak to be tested is accessible for probing with the mass spectrometer sampling probe.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—Direct probing, and
1.2.2 Test Method B—Accumulation.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents: therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with 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 establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2011
• ICS: 71.060.01 - Inorganic chemicals in general
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.08 - Leak Testing Method

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E499-95(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the Detector Probe Mode
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM E499/E499M-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the Detector Probe Mode<rangeref></rangeref >
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM E2533-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Polymer Matrix Composites Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2982-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Thin-Walled Metallic Liners in Filament-Wound Pressure Vessels Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011

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: E499/E499M − 11
Standard Practice for
Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the
1,2
Detector Probe Mode
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E499/E499M; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2.2 Other Documents:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
1.1 This practice covers procedures for testing and locating
5
−7 3 cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
the sources of gas leaking at the rate of 1×10 Pa m /s
−8
ANSI/ASNT CP-189ASNT Standard for Qualification and
3 3
(1×10 Std cm /s) or greater. The test may be conducted on
5
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
any device or component across which a pressure differential
of helium or other suitable tracer gas may be created, and on
3. Terminology
which the effluent side of the leak to be tested is accessible for
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
probing with the mass spectrometer sampling probe.
standard, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—Direct probing, and
4. Summary of Practice
1.2.2 Test Method B—Accumulation.
6
4.1 Section1.8oftheLeakageTestingHandbook willbeof
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec units
value to some users in determining which leak test method to
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
use.
each system may not be exact equivalents: therefore, each
4.2 The test methods covered in this practice require a leak
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
−6 3
detector with a full-scale readout of at least 1×10 Pa m /s
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
−7
3 3
(1×10 Std cm /s) on the most sensitive range, a maximum
with the standard.
1-mindriftofzeroandsensitivityof 65%offullscaleonthis
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
range, and 62% or less on others (see 7.1). The above
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sensitivities are those obtained by probing an actual standard
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
leak in atmosphere with the detector, or sampling, probe, and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
not the sensitivity of the detector to a standard leak attached
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
directly to the vacuum system.
4.3 Test Method A, Direct Probing (see Fig. 1), is the
2. Referenced Documents
simplest test, and may be used in parts of any size, requiring
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
only that a tracer gas pressure be created across the area to be
E1316Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
tested, and the searching of the atmospheric side of the area be
with the detector probe. This test method detects leakage and
its source or sources. Experience has shown that leak testing
−5 3 −6 3 3
1
down to 1×10 Pa m /s (1×10 Std cm /s) in factory
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on Leak
environments will usually be satisfactory if reasonable precau-
Testing Method.
tionsagainstreleasinggaslikethetracergasinthetestareaare
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
observed, and the effects of other interferences (Section 6) are
in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E499-95(2006). DOI:
10.1520/E0499_E0499M-11. considered.
2
(Atmospheric pressure external, pressure above atmospheric internal). This
document covers the Detector Probe Mode described in Guide E432.
3
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference
5
temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273) ⁄273. AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
ref ref
4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
6
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Marr,J.William,“LeakageTestingHandbook,”preparedforLiquidPropulsion
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Section,JetPropulsionLaboratory,NationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration,
the ASTM website. Pasadena, CA, Contract NAS 7-396, June 1961.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. Unit
...

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:E499–95 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Methods for Designation: E499/E499M – 11
Standard Practice for
Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the
,
1 2
Detector Probe Mode
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E499/E499M; 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 specification has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
−13 *
1.1Thesetestmethodscoverproceduresfortestingandlocatingthesourcesofgasleakingattherateof4.5310 mol/s(1310
−7
3 −8
1.1 Thispracticecoversproceduresfortestingandlocatingthesourcesofgasleakingattherateof1 310 Pam /s(1 310
3
3
Std cm /s) or greater. The test may be conducted on any device or component across which a pressure differential of helium or
other suitable tracer gas may be created, and on which the effluent side of the leak to be tested is accessible for probing with the
mass spectrometer sampling probe.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—Direct probing, and
1.2.2 Test Method B—Accumulation.
1.3
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec units are to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents: therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with 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 establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
2.2 Other Documents:
5
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
5
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this standard, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and areis the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on Leak Testing
Method.
Current edition approved Dec.July 1, 2006.2011. Published January 2007.July 2011. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20002006 as
E499-95(20006). DOI: 10.1520/E0499-95R06.10.1520/E0499_E0499M-11.
2
(Atmospheric pressure external, pressure above atmospheric internal). This document covers the Detector Probe Mode described in Guide E432.
3
The gas temperature is referenced to 0°C. To convert to another gas reference temperature, T , multiply the leak rate by (T +273)/273.
ref ref
4
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
5
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E499/E499M – 11
4. Summary of Test Methods Summary of Practice
6
4.1 Section 1.8 of the LeakageTesting Handbook will be of value to some users in determining which leak test method to use.
−12
4.2These test methods require a leak detector with a full-scale readout of at least 4.5310 mol/s (1310
−6
3
4.2 The test methods covered in this practice require a leak detector with a full-scale readout of at least 1 310 Pa m /s
−7
3
3
(1 310 Stdcm /s) onthemostsensitiverange,amaximum1-mindriftofzeroandsensitivityof 65%offullscaleonthisrange,
and 62% or less on others (see 7.1). The above sensitivities are those obtained by probing an actual standard leak in atmosphere
with the detector, or sampling, probe, and not the sensitivity of the detector to a standard leak attached directly to the vacuum
system.
4.3 Test Method A, Direct Probing (see Fig. 1), is t
...