ISO 16823:2025
(Main)Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Through-transmission technique
Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Through-transmission technique
This document specifies the principles of ultrasonic through-transmission techniques. Through-transmission techniques can be used for: — detection of discontinuities; — determination of sound attenuation. The general principles required for the use of ultrasonic testing of industrial products are described in ISO 16810. The through-transmission technique is used for the testing of flat products, e.g. plates and sheets. Further, it can be used for tests, for example: — where the shape, dimensions or orientation of possible discontinuities are unfavourable for direct reflection; — of materials with high sound attenuation; — on thin test objects.
Essais non destructifs — Contrôle par ultrasons — Technique par transmission
L'ISO 16823:2012 spécifie les principes des techniques de transmission. Les techniques de transmission peuvent être utilisées pour la détection de discontinuités et la détermination de l'atténuation. Les principes généraux exigés pour l'utilisation du contrôle par ultrasons de produits industriels sont décrits dans l'ISO 16810. La technique par transmission est utilisée pour le contrôle de produits plats, par exemple plaques et tôles. Elle est également utilisée pour l'examen d'éventuelles discontinuités dont la forme, les dimensions ou l'orientation sont défavorables au contrôle par réflexion, de matériaux à atténuation élevée et de produits minces.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 16823
Second edition
Non-destructive testing —
2025-01
Ultrasonic testing — Through-
transmission technique
Essais non destructifs — Contrôle par ultrasons — Technique par
transmission
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 NDT personnel . 2
5 Test equipment . 2
5.1 Instrument .2
5.2 Probes .2
5.2.1 General .2
5.2.2 Probe selection.2
5.2.3 Frequency and dimensions of transducer .2
5.2.4 Dead zone .3
5.2.5 Damping .3
5.2.6 Focusing probes .3
5.3 Coupling media .3
5.4 Standard blocks .3
5.5 Reference blocks .4
5.6 Specific test blocks .4
6 Principles of testing . 4
6.1 Basic techniques and setup .4
6.2 Capability of detection of discontinuities .6
6.3 Requirements for geometry and access .6
6.4 Effects of variations in coupling, angulation and alignment of probes .6
7 Test technique . 7
7.1 General .7
7.2 Sensitivity setting .7
7.3 Scanning .7
7.4 Evaluation of discontinuities .7
7.5 Determination of the attenuation coefficient .7
7.5.1 General .7
7.5.2 Comparative technique using a reference block .8
7.5.3 Technique using the test object only .9
Bibliography .12
iii
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)
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing, Subcommittee
SC 3, Ultrasonic testing, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 138, Non-destructive testing, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation
between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16823:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— normative references have been updated;
— figures have been improved;
— terminology has been aligned throughout the whole document.
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.
iv
Introduction
The following documents are linked:
ISO 16810, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — General principles
ISO 16811, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Sensitivity and range setting
ISO 16823, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Through transmission technique
ISO 16826, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Testing for discontinuities perpendicular to the surface
ISO 16827, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Characterization and sizing of discontinuities
ISO 16828, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Time-of-flight diffraction technique as a method for
detection and sizing of discontinuities
v
International Standard ISO 16823:2025(en)
Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Through-
transmission technique
1 Scope
This document specifies the principles of ultrasonic through-transmission techniques.
Through-transmission techniques can be used for:
— detection of discontinuities;
— determination of sound attenuation.
The general principles required for the use of ultrasonic testing of industrial products are described in
ISO 16810.
The through-transmission technique is used for the testing of flat products, e.g. plates and sheets.
Further, it can be used for tests, for example:
— where the shape, dimensions or orientation of possible discontinuities are unfavourable for direct
reflection;
— of materials with high sound attenuation;
— on thin test objects.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
1)
ISO 2400, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Specification for calibration block No. 1
ISO 5577, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Vocabulary
1)
ISO 7963, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Specification for calibration block No. 2
ISO 16810, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — General principles
ISO 22232-1, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test equipment — Part
1: Instruments
ISO 22232-2, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test equipment — Part
2: Probes
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 5577 apply.
1) It is intended to replace the term “calibration block“ by "standard block“ during the next revision of the standard.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 NDT personnel
For requirements concerning non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel, the requirements given in ISO 16810
shall apply.
5 Test equipment
5.1 Instrument
The ultrasonic instrument shall fulfil the requirements of ISO 22232-1.
5.2 Probes
5.2.1 General
The probe(s) shall initially fulfil the requirements of ISO 22232-2.
5.2.2 Probe selection
The choice of the probe depends on the purpose of the testing and the requirements of the referencing
standard or specification. It depends on:
— the material thick
...
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