EN 16090:2019

Copper and copper alloys - Estimation of average grain size by ultrasound

This document specifies a method for the estimation of the average grain size of copper and copper alloy products by ultrasound. This document can be applied for seamless round tubes as well as for flat products.
This method can be used in place of test methods according to EN ISO 2624, mentioned in the relevant product standards. As reference method and in case of doubt the intercept procedure or planimetric procedure will be used.

Kupfer und Kupferlegierungen - Bestimmung der mittleren Korngröße durch Ultraschall

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren für die Bestimmung der mittleren Korngröße von Produkten aus Kupfer und Kupferlegierungen mit Ultraschall fest. Dieses Dokument kann auf nahtlose Rundrohre und auch auf Flacherzeugnisse angewendet werden.
Das Verfahren kann anstelle der Prüfverfahren nach EN ISO 2624 angewendet werden, die in den jeweiligen Produktnormen genannt werden. Als Referenzverfahren und im Zweifelsfall wird das Linienschnittverfahren oder das planimetrische Verfahren angewendet.

Cuivre et alliages de cuivre - Estimation de la taille moyenne de grain par ultrasons

Le présent document prescrit une méthode d’estimation de la taille moyenne de grain des produits en cuivre et alliages de cuivre par ultrasons. Le présent document est applicable aux tubes ronds sans soudure ainsi qu’aux produits plats.
La présente méthode peut remplacer les méthodes d’essai selon l’EN ISO 2624, mentionnées dans les normes de produit correspondantes. La méthode d’interception ou la méthode planimétrique sont utilisées comme méthodes de référence ou en cas de doute.

Baker in bakrove zlitine - Ocena povprečne velikosti zrn z ultrazvokom

Ta dokument določa metodo za oceno povprečne velikosti zrn izdelkov iz bakra in bakrovih zlitin z ultrazvokom. Ta dokument se lahko uporablja za nevarjene okrogle cevi in ploščate izdelke. To metodo je mogoče uporabljati namesto preskusnih metod iz standarda EN ISO 2624, ki so navedene v zadevnih standardih za izdelke. Kot referenčna metoda in v primeru dvoma bo uporabljen prestrezni postopek ali planimetrični postopek.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Nov-2019
• Withdrawal Date: 30-May-2020
• ICS: 77.120.30 - Copper and copper alloys
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 133 - Copper and copper alloys
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 133/WG 3 - Copper tubes (installation and industrial)
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 10-Jun-2025
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 16090:2020 - Copper and copper alloys - Estimation of average grain size by ultrasound

Relations

• Replaces: EN 16090:2011 - Copper and copper alloys - Estimation of average grain size by ultrasound
• Effective Date: 27-Nov-2019

Overview

EN 16090:2019 (CEN) defines an ultrasonic, non-destructive method to estimate the average grain size of copper and copper alloys. The procedure applies to seamless round tubes and flat products and can be used in place of micrometric reference methods described in EN ISO 2624. As a comparative technique, ultrasonic testing is calibrated against reference samples measured by the intercept or planimetric procedures when required.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability: Estimation of average grain size in copper and copper alloys for tubes and flat products; method intended as a substitute for EN ISO 2624 where agreed.
• Personnel and qualification: Tests must be performed by trained operators under the responsibility of qualified staff; certification according to EN ISO 9712 is recommended when agreed between purchaser and supplier.
• Test equipment and technique: Pulse-echo ultrasonic systems are used; probe frequency range recommended is 1 MHz to 60 MHz. Automated systems and immersion techniques are recommended for constant coupling and repeatability.
• Coupling and samples: Typical coupling fluids include water or oil. Products must be clean and free from deep cracks or grooves that could create parasitic echoes.
• Instrument adjustment and calibration: Daily adjustment using a relevant reference sample is required. Deviations greater than ±3 µm during adjustment trigger re-calibration; if recalibration fails, affected tests are considered invalid.
• Reference correlation: Calibration graphs are established per alloy or alloy group (and considering thickness) by correlating ultrasonic backscatter signals with grain sizes measured by intercept or planimetric procedures (EN ISO 2624).

Applications

• Rapid quality control of grain structure in copper and copper-alloy production lines for tubes and flat products.
• Non-destructive acceptance testing where product standards permit ultrasonic grain-size estimation in place of metallographic methods.
• Automated inspection stations using immersion or stable coupling to deliver consistent backscattered signal analysis and pass/fail decisions.

Practical benefits:

• Faster, non-destructive screening compared to destructive metallography
• Suitable for in-line or batch testing with automated data logging
• Reduces sampling when a validated calibration curve is established

Related Standards

• EN ISO 2624 - Estimation of average grain size (reference metallographic methods: intercept and planimetric)
• EN ISO 16810 - Ultrasonic testing: general principles
• EN ISO 5577 - Ultrasonic testing vocabulary
• EN ISO 9712 - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
• EN 12668-1 / EN 12668-2 - Ultrasonic instrument and probe characterization

Use EN 16090:2019 when you need a reliable, calibrated ultrasonic approach to grain-size estimation in copper alloys, ensuring personnel qualification, daily equipment checks, and correlation with EN ISO 2624 reference methods.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 16090:2012
Baker in bakrove zlitine - Ocena povprečne velikosti zrn z ultrazvokom
Copper and copper alloys - Estimation of average grain size by ultrasound
Kupfer und Kupferlegierungen - Bestimmung der mittleren Korngröße durch Ultraschall
Cuivre et alliages de cuivre - Estimation de la taille moyenne de grain par ultrasons
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16090:2019
ICS:
77.120.30 Baker in bakrove zlitine Copper and copper alloys
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 16090
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2019
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 77.120.30 Supersedes EN 16090:2011
English Version
Copper and copper alloys - Estimation of average grain
size by ultrasound
Cuivre et alliages de cuivre - Estimation de la taille Kupfer und Kupferlegierungen - Bestimmung der
moyenne de grain par ultrasons mittleren Korngröße durch Ultraschall
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 4 September 2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 16090:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements . 5
4.1 Personnel qualification . 5
4.2 Condition of products to be tested . 6
4.3 Test equipment . 6
4.4 Procedure. 7
5 Instrument adjustment . 8
6 Reference samples and calibration . 8
7 Acceptance criteria . 8
Bibliography . 9

European foreword
This document (EN 16090:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 133 “Copper and
copper alloys”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2020, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 16090:2011.
The following modifications were implemented in this new edition of EN 16090:
— updated normative references;
— editorial modifications.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Introduction
The test by ultrasound described in this standard has the objective of estimating the dimension of
average grain size in copper and copper alloy products.
When using this test by ultrasound technique it is important to recognize that the estimation of grain
size is not a precise measurement because a metal structure is an aggregate of three-dimensional
crystals of varying sizes and shapes. Clearly, no two areas of observation can then be exactly the same.
S
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