ISO 8203-2:2025
(Main)Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive testing — Part 2: Array and air-coupled ultrasonics
Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive testing — Part 2: Array and air-coupled ultrasonics
This document describes procedures for mechanized ultrasonic testing of FRP composite materials using array probes in conjunction with the application of synthetic focusing signal processing algorithms, as well as testing using air-coupled ultrasonic probes and the evaluation of the test result. This document is intended for array ultrasonic testing (A-UT) and for air-coupled ultrasonic testing (AC-UT) techniques applied to non-destructive testing of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites with thermoset or thermoplastic matrices. The procedures are primarily intended for inspection of continuous unidirectional or multidirectional composites; however, this does not exclude their use on other formats of structural composites including woven and stitched fabrics and pultrusions. The techniques contained within this document are intended to be used on flat, plane test objects where the material thickness differs by less than 20 %. This document addresses ultrasonic testing via contact or immersion techniques using ultrasonic array probes as well as testing in pitch-catch or through-transmission technique using single element air-coupled ultrasonic probes.
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non destructif — Partie 2: Ultrasons à réseau et couplés à l'air
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 8203-2
First edition
Fibre-reinforced plastic
2025-08
composites — Non-destructive
testing —
Part 2:
Array and air-coupled ultrasonics
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non
destructif —
Partie 2: Ultrasons à réseau et couplés à l'air
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principles of operation . 2
4.1 Ultrasonic array inspection .2
4.2 Air-coupled ultrasonic testing .3
5 Test equipment . 3
5.1 Selection of test equipment and test configuration .3
5.2 Ultrasonic array system .4
5.2.1 General .4
5.2.2 Ultrasonic array probe .4
5.3 Ultrasonic system for air-coupled testing .5
5.3.1 General .5
5.3.2 Air-coupled ultrasonic probes . .5
5.4 Manipulator .5
5.5 Delay path .6
6 Reference blocks . 6
7 Preparation of the test object . 7
7.1 Cleaning .7
7.2 Visual inspection .7
7.3 Surface roughness .7
8 Test procedure . 7
8.1 Determination of damping factor .7
8.2 Determination of the sound velocity in the test object material .7
8.3 Scanning .7
8.4 Recording .8
8.5 Signal processing .8
9 Configuring the test equipment . 8
9.1 Setting the zero point .8
9.2 Alignment .9
9.3 Adjustment of sensitivity setting for ultrasonic array testing .9
9.4 Adjustment of sensitivity setting for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .9
9.5 Periodic sensitivity check .9
10 Testing. 10
11 Data analysis . 10
11.1 Image evaluation for ultrasonic array testing .10
11.2 Image evaluation for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .10
11.3 Determination of discontinuity size .11
11.3.1 General .11
11.3.2 Determination of discontinuity size for ultrasonic array testing .11
11.3.3 Determination of discontinuity sizes for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 12
11.3.4 Determination of signal-to-noise ratio (R ) for ultrasonic array testing . 12
SN
11.3.5 Determination of contrast for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 12
12 Qualification of test personnel .13
13 Test report .13
Annex A (normative) Test report for ultrasonic array testing . 14
iii
Annex B (normative) Test report sheet for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .16
iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 13, Composites
and reinforcement fibres.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8203 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
Introduction
Advanced mechanized ultrasonic testing using array probes and signal processing, or air-coupled probes
enables the detection, sizing, and characterization of a wide range of manufacturing and in-service
imperfections in fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites by image evaluation.
By scanning the test object using linear or matrix array ultrasonic probes or air-coupled ultrasonic probes,
inhomogeneities and discontinuities can be detected and characterized by the evaluation of C-scan and
B-scan images generated by the space-resolved and processed acoustical response from the test object.
The objectives of testing with array probes are:
— detection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— determination of material thickness;
— determination of sound velocities;
— determination of position and size of imperfections;
— determination of depth position of imperfections (coverage).
The objectives of testing with air-coupled probes are:
— detection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— determination of lateral position and size of imperfections.
Usually, ultrasonic array tests are performed from one side of the test object. If access to both sides of
the tes
...
International
Standard
ISO 8203-2
First edition
Fibre-reinforced plastic
composites — Non-destructive
testing —
Part 2:
Array and air-coupled ultrasonics
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non
destructif —
Partie 2: Ultrasons à réseau et couplés à l'air
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principles of operation . 2
4.1 Ultrasonic array inspection .2
4.2 Air-coupled ultrasonic testing .3
5 Test equipment . 3
5.1 Selection of test equipment and test configuration .3
5.2 Ultrasonic array system .4
5.2.1 General .4
5.2.2 Ultrasonic array probe .4
5.3 Ultrasonic system for air-coupled testing .5
5.3.1 General .5
5.3.2 Air-coupled ultrasonic probes . .5
5.4 Manipulator .5
5.5 Delay path .6
6 Reference blocks . 6
7 Preparation of the test object . 7
7.1 Cleaning .7
7.2 Visual inspection .7
7.3 Surface roughness .7
8 Test procedure . 7
8.1 Determination of damping factor .7
8.2 Determination of the sound velocity in the test object material .7
8.3 Scanning .7
8.4 Recording .8
8.5 Signal processing .8
9 Configuring the test equipment . 8
9.1 Setting the zero point .8
9.2 Alignment .9
9.3 Adjustment of sensitivity setting for ultrasonic array testing .9
9.4 Adjustment of sensitivity setting for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .9
9.5 Periodic sensitivity check .9
10 Testing. 10
11 Data analysis . 10
11.1 Image evaluation for ultrasonic array testing .10
11.2 Image evaluation for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .10
11.3 Determination of discontinuity size .11
11.3.1 General .11
11.3.2 Determination of discontinuity size for ultrasonic array testing .11
11.3.3 Determination of discontinuity sizes for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 12
11.3.4 Determination of signal-to-noise ratio (R ) for ultrasonic array testing . 12
SN
11.3.5 Determination of contrast for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 12
12 Qualification of test personnel .13
13 Test report .13
Annex A (normative) Test report for ultrasonic array testing . 14
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iii
Annex B (normative) Test report sheet for air-coupled ultrasonic testing .16
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 13, Composites
and reinforcement fibres.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8203 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
v
Introduction
Advanced mechanized ultrasonic testing using array probes and signal processing, or air-coupled probes
enables the detection, sizing, and characterization of a wide range of manufacturing and in-service
imperfections in fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites by image evaluation.
By scanning the test object using linear or matrix array ultrasonic probes or air-coupled ultrasonic probes,
inhomogeneities and discontinuities can be detected and characterized by the evaluation of C-scan and
B-scan images generated by the space-resolved and processed acoustical response from the test object.
The objectives of testing with array probes are:
— detection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— determination of material thickness;
— determination of sound velocities;
— determination of position and size of imperfections;
— determination of depth position of imperfections (coverage).
The objectives of testing with air-coupled probes are:
— detection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— determination of lateral position and size of imperfections.
Usually, ultrasonic array tests are performed from one side o
...
ISO/DISPRF 8203-2:2025(en)
ISO/TC 61/SC 13
Secretariat: JISC
Date: 2025-01-1607-11
Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive testing —
Part 2:
Array and air-coupled ultrasonics
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non destructif —
Partie 2: Ultrasons à réseau et couplés à l'air
PROOF
ISO/PRF 8203-2:2025(en)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.orgwww.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/DISPRF 8203-2:20242025(en)
Contents
Foreword . v
Introduction . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principles of operation . 3
5 Test equipment . 4
6 Reference blocks . 7
7 Preparation of the test object . 8
8 Test procedure . 8
9 Configuring the test equipment . 10
10 Testing . 11
11 Data analysis . 11
12 Qualification of test personnel . 15
13 Test report . 15
Annex A (normative) Test report for ultrasonic array testing . 16
Annex B (normative) Test report sheet for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 18
Foreword . iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Basic method . 2
4.1 Principle of operation . 2
4.2 Ultrasonic array inspection . 2
4.3 Air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 3
5 Test equipment . 3
5.1 Selection of test equipment and test configuration . 3
5.2 Ultrasonic array system. 4
5.3 Ultrasonic system for air-coupled testing . 4
5.4 Manipulator . 5
5.5 Delay path . 6
6 Reference blocks . 6
7 Preparation of the test object . 6
7.1 Cleaning . 6
7.2 Visual inspection . 7
7.3 Surface roughness . 7
8 Test procedure . 7
8.1 Determination of damping factor . 7
8.2 Determination of the sound velocity in the test object material . 7
iii
ISO/PRF 8203-2:2025(en)
8.3 Scanning . 7
8.4 Recording . 8
8.5 Signal processing . 8
9 Configuring the test equipment . 8
9.1 Setting the zero point . 8
9.2 Alignment . 8
9.4 Adjustment of sensitivity setting for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 9
9.5 Periodic sensitivity check . 9
10 Testing . 9
11 Data analysis . 10
11.1 Image evaluation for ultrasonic array testing . 10
11.2 Image evaluation for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 10
Qualification of test . 12
12 personnel . 12
13 Test report . 12
Annex A (informative) Test report for ultrasonic array testing . 13
Annex B (informative) Test report sheet for air-coupled ultrasonic testing . 16
Bibliography . 19
iv
ISO/DISPRF 8203-2:20242025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents.www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.htmlwww.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 13, Composites
and reinforcement fibres.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8203 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
ISO/PRF 8203-2:2025(en)
vi
ISO/DISPRF 8203-2:20242025(en)
Introduction
Advanced mechanized ultrasonic testing using array probes and signal processing, or air-coupled probes
enables the detection, sizing, and characterization of a wide range of manufacturing and in-service
imperfections in fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites by image evaluation.
By scanning the test object using linear or matrix array ultrasonic probes or air-coupled ultrasonic probes,
inhomogeneities and discontinuities can be detected and characterized by the evaluation of C-scan and B-scan
images generated by the space-resolved and processed acoustical response from the test object.
The objectives of testing with array probes are:
— — Detectiondetection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— — Determinationdetermination of material thickness;
— — Determinationdetermination of sound velocities;
— — Determinationdetermination of position and size of imperfections;
— — Determinationdetermination of depth position of imperfections (coverage);).
The objectives of testing with air-coupled probes are:
— — Detectiondetection of imperfections, inclusions and inhomogeneities;
— — Determinationdetermination of lateral position and size of imperfections.
Usually, ultrasonic array tests are performed from one side of the test object. If access to both sides of the test
object is possible, additional testing from the opposite side of the test object can be performed to enhance the
outcome of the tests. Ultrasonic array testing can be performed in contact with the test object using a suitable
couplant or in an immersion tank using a defined water-path between the p
...
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