EN 16714-1:2016

Non-destructive testing - Thermographic testing - Part 1: General principles

This European Standard specifies the general principles for thermography of non-destructive testing. Thermographic testing is used for the detection and localization of discontinuities (e.g. cracks, delamination and inclusions) in different materials (e.g. composites, metals and coatings).
Usually a thermal stimulation is required. The choice of thermal stimulation depends on the application (e.g. type of material, geometry of test object, type of defects to be determined).
Acceptance criteria are not defined in this standard.

Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung - Thermografische Prüfung - Teil 1: Allgemeine Grundlagen

Diese Europäische Norm legt die allgemeinen Grundlagen für die Thermografie der zerstörungsfreien Prüfung fest. Die thermografische Prüfung wird zum Nachweis und zur Lokalisierung von Unregelmäßigkeiten (z. B. Risse, Ablösungen und Einschlüsse) in verschiedenen Werkstoffen (z. B. Verbundwerkstoffe, Metalle und Beschichtungen) angewendet.
Üblicherweise ist dazu eine thermische Anregung erforderlich. Die Auswahl der thermischen Anregung ist abhängig von der Anwendung (z. B. Werkstoff, Geometrie des Prüfgegenstandes, Art des nachzuweisenden Fehlers).
In dieser Norm sind keine Zulassungskriterien definiert.

Essais non destructifs - Examen par thermographie - Partie 1 : Principes généraux

La présente norme spécifie les principes généraux qui s'appliquent à la thermographie dans le cadre des essais non destructifs.

Neporušitveno preskušanje - Termografsko preskušanje - 1. del: Splošna načela

Ta standard določa splošna načela za termografijo neporušitvenega preskušanja.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 09-Aug-2016
• Withdrawal Date: 27-Feb-2017
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 138 - Non-destructive testing
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 138/WG 11 - Infrared thermographic testing
• Current Stage: 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 04-Mar-2022
• Completion Date: 04-Mar-2022
• Ref Project: SIST EN 16714-1:2016 - Non-destructive testing - Thermographic testing - Part 1: General principles

Overview

EN 16714-1:2016 is a European Standard published by CEN that establishes the general principles for thermographic testing as a method of non-destructive testing (NDT). Thermographic testing uses infrared imaging to detect and localize discontinuities such as cracks, delaminations, and inclusions in various materials including composites, metals, and coatings. This standard addresses the core concepts and requirements for preparing, conducting, and evaluating thermographic inspections using thermal stimulation tailored to specific materials and defects.

This standard is essential for professionals and organizations engaged in NDT thermographic inspections and helps ensure consistent methodology and reliable results across different industries.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Specifies the application of thermographic testing for detecting subsurface and surface defects in materials, with emphasis on the influence of material types, object geometry, and defects to be inspected. Acceptance criteria for defects are not covered in this document.

• Test Preparation
  Includes essential steps such as defining test instructions, handling apparatus calibration, defining test conditions, and preparing the test environment. Emissivity and surface conditions significantly affect temperature measurements and require attention.

• Thermography Procedures

  • Passive Thermography: Utilizes intrinsic heat flows within the object without additional stimulation; applied in building inspections and diagnostics.
  • Active Thermography: Introduces external heat or excitation (e.g., light, ultrasound, hot/cold air) to provoke temperature variations for defect detection.
  • Classification into transient and modulation thermography depending on excitation type.
  • Evaluation modes: qualitative, comparative, and quantitative.

• Equipment and Reference Specimens
  References EN 16714-2 for equipment requirements. Discusses the use of three types of reference specimens for verification, calibration, and quantification of detection sensitivity:

  • Calibration check specimens
  • Specimens with artificial defects
  • Specimens with natural defects

• Personnel Qualifications
  Highlights the need for qualified operators skilled in thermographic testing and familiar with the standard’s procedures and methods.

• Evaluation and Reporting
  Covers the evaluation of thermographic results, emphasizing proper documentation and test reporting as per defined criteria.

Applications

EN 16714-1:2016 is widely applicable across industries requiring non-destructive evaluation of components and structures, including:

• Aerospace and Automotive: Inspection of composite materials, engine parts, and joints for cracks and delamination.
• Manufacturing: Quality control of metal parts, weld inspections, detection of inclusions and voids.
• Building and Construction: Identification of moisture intrusion, thermal bridges, leaks, and insulation defects.
• Electrical and Mechanical Systems: Monitoring thermal anomalies, locating faults in insulation and mechanical components.
• Maintenance and Repair: Condition monitoring and scheduled inspection of in-service equipment.

The standard supports practitioners in selecting appropriate thermal stimulation methods and optimizing testing setups based on material properties and expected defect types to achieve reliable diagnostics.

Related Standards

• EN 16714-2:2016 - Non-destructive testing - Thermographic testing - Part 2: Equipment
• EN 16714-3:2016 - Non-destructive testing - Thermographic testing - Part 3: Terms and definitions
• EN 1330-1 & EN 1330-2 - NDT Terminology standards for general and method-specific terms
• EN ISO 9712 - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
• Other relevant ISO and European Standards related to infrared measurement and nondestructive evaluation techniques provide complementary guidance for thermographic testing.

---

By adhering to EN 16714-1:2016, organizations and professionals can ensure that thermographic NDT is performed consistently, with reliable results that aid in the accurate detection of structural defects, contributing to safety, quality, and cost savings in asset management and production.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung - Thermografische Prüfung - Teil 1: Allgemeine GrundlagenEssais non destructifs - Analyse thermographique - Partie 1: Principes générauxNon-destructive testing - Thermographic testing - Part 1: General principles19.100Neporušitveno preskušanjeNon-destructive testingICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16714-1:2016SIST EN 16714-1:2016en,fr,de01-november-2016SIST EN 16714-1:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16714-1
August
t r s x ICS
s {ä s r r English Version
Nonædestructive testing æ Thermographic testing æ Part
sã General principles Essais non destructifs æ Analyses thermographiques æ Partie
sã Principes généraux
Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung æ Thermografische Prüfung æ Teil
sã Allgemeine Grundlagen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t w June
t r s xä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s x CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s x y s væ sã t r s x ESIST EN 16714-1:2016
...