2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 4
ARTICLE 4
MANDATORY APPENDICES
APPENDIX I — SCREEN HEIGHT APPENDIX II — AMPLITUDE
LINEARITY CONTROL LINEARITY
I-410 SCOPE II-410 SCOPE
This Mandatory Appendix provides requirements for This Mandatory Appendix provides requirements for
checking screen height linearity and is applicable to ultra- checking amplitude control linearity and is applicable to
sonic instruments with A-scan displays. ultrasonic instruments with A-scan displays.
I-440 MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS II-440 MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS
Position an angle beam search unit on a calibration block, Position an angle beam search unit on a basic calibration
as shown in Fig. I-440 so that indications from both the block, as shown in Fig. I-440 so that the indication from
1
⁄2 and 3⁄4T holes give a 2:1 ratio of amplitudes between the the 1⁄2T side-drilled hole is peaked on the screen. Adjust
two indications. Adjust the sensitivity (gain) so that the the sensitivity (gain) as shown in the following table. The
larger indication is set at 80% of full screen height (FSH). indication shall fall within the specified limits. Alterna-
Without moving the search unit, adjust sensitivity (gain) tively, any other convenient reflector from any calibration
to successively set the larger indication from 100% to 20% block may be used with angle or straight beam search units.
of full screen height, in 10% increments (or 2 dB steps if
Indication Set at dB Control Indication Limits
a fine control is not available), and read the smaller indica- % of Full Screen Change % of Full Screen
tion at each setting. The reading shall be 50% of the larger
80% –6 dB 32 to 48%
amplitude, within 5% of FSH. The settings and readings 80% –12 dB 16 to 24%
shall be estimated to the nearest 1% of full screen. Alterna- 40% +6 dB 64 to 96%
tively, a straight beam search unit may be used on any 20% +12 dB 64 to 96%
calibration block that provides amplitude differences, with
The settings and readings shall be estimated to the near-
sufficient signal separation to prevent overlapping of the
est 1% of full screen.
two signals.
FIG. I-440 LINEARITY APPENDIX III — TIME OF FLIGHT
DIFFRACTION (TOFD) TECHNIQUE
III-410 SCOPE
This Mandatory Appendix describes the requirements
to be used for a Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) exami-
nation of welds.
III-420 GENERAL
The requirements of Article 4 apply unless modified by
this Appendix.
III-422 Written Procedure Requirements
III-422.1 Requirements. TOFD shall be performed in
accordance with a written procedure which shall, as a
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ARTICLE 4 2007 SECTION V
TABLE III-422 Equipment shall permit storage of all gated A-scans to
REQUIREMENTS OF A TOFD EXAMINATION a magnetic or optical storage medium. Equipment shall
PROCEDURE provide a sectional view of the weld with a minimum of
Requirement Essential Nonessential 64 gray scale or color levels. (Storage of just sectional
(As Applicable) Variable Variable images without the underlying A-scan RF waveforms is
not acceptable.) Computer software for TOFD displays
Instrument manufacturer and model X ...
Instrument software X ... shall include algorithms to linearize cursors or the wave-
Directions and extent of scanning X ... form time-base to permit depth and vertical extent estima-
Method for sizing flaw length X ... tions. In addition to storage of waveform data including
Method for sizing flaw height X ... amplitude and time-base details, the equipment shall also
Data sampling spacing (increase only) X ...
store positional information indicating the relative position
of the waveform with respect to the adjacent waveform(s),
i.e., encoded position.
minimum, contain the requirements listed in Tables T-422
and III-422. The written procedure shall establish a single III-432 Search Units
value, or range of values, for each requirement.
III-432.1 General. Ultrasonic probes shall conform to
III-422.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure the following minimum requirements:
qualification is specified, a change of a requirement in (a) Two probes shall be used in a pitch-catch arrange-
Tables T-422 or III-422 identified as an essential variable ment (TOFD pair).
shall require requalification of the written procedure by (b) Each probe in the TOFD pair shall have the same
demonstration. A change of a requirement identified as a nominal frequency.
nonessential variable does not require requalification of the (c) The TOFD pair shall have the same element dimen-
written procedure. All changes of essential or nonessential sions.
variables from those specified within the written procedure (d) The pulse duration of the probe shall not exceed
shall require revision of, or an addendum to, the written 2 cycles as measured to the 20dB level below the peak
procedure. response.
(e) Probes may be focused or unfocused. Unfocused
probes are recommended for detection and focused probes
III-430 EQUIPMENT are recommended for improved resolution for sizing.
III-431 Instrument Requirements (f) Probes may be single element or phased array.
III-431.1 Instrument. The instrument shall provide a (g) The nominal frequency shall be from 2 MHz to
linear “A” scan presentation for both setting up scan param- 15MHz unless variables, such as production material grain
eters and for signal analysis. Instrument linearity shall be structure, require the use of other frequencies to assure
such that the accuracy of indicated amplitude or time is adequate penetration or better resolution.
±5% of the actual full-scale amplitude or time. The ultra- III-432.2 Cladding — Search Units for Technique
sonic pulser may provide excitation voltage by tone burst, One. The requirements of T-432.2 are not applicable to
unipolar, or bipolar square wave. Pulse width shall be the TOFD technique.
tunable to allow optimization of pulse amplitude and dura-
tion. The bandwidth of the ultrasonic receiver shall be at
least equal to that of the nominal probe frequency and such III-434 Calibration Blocks
that the −6dB bandwidth of the probe does not fall outside III-434.1.1 Reflectors. Side drilled holes shall be
of the −6dB bandwidth of the receiver. Receiver gain con- used to confirm adequate sensitivity settings.
trol shall be available to adjust signal amplitude in incre- III-434.2.1 Basic Calibration Block. The basic cali-
ments of 1dB or less. Pre-amplifiers may be included in bration block configuration and reflectors shall be as shown
the system. Analog to digital conversion of waveforms in Fig. III-434.2.1(a). A minimum of two holes per zone,
shall have sampling rates at least four times that of the if the weld is broken up into multiple zones, is required.
nominal frequency of the probe. When digital signal pro- See Fig. III-434.2.1(b) for a two zone example. The block
cessing is to be carried out on the raw data, this shall be size and reflector location shall be adequate to confirm
increased to eight times the nominal frequency of the probe. adequate sensitivity settings for the beam angles used.
III-431.2 Data Display and Recording. The data dis- III-434.2.2 Block Thickness. The block thickness
play shall allow for the viewing of the unrectified A-scan shall be at ±10% of the nominal thickness of the piece to
so as to position the start and length of a gate that deter- be examined for thicknesses up to 4 in. (100 mm) or
mines the extent of the A-scan time-base that is recorded. ±0.4 in. (10 mm) for thicknesses over 4 in. (100 mm).
54
2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 4
FIG. III-434.2.1(a) TOFD REFERENCE BLOCK
T/4
3T/4
T
Weld Thickness, in. (mm) Hole Diameter, in. (mm)
3
Up to 1 (25) ⁄32 (2.4)
1
Over 1 (25) thru 2 (50) ⁄8 (3.2)
3
Over 2 (50) thru 4 (100) ⁄16 (4.8)
1
Over 4 (100) ⁄4 (6)
GENERAL NOTES:
(a) Holes shall be drilled and reamed 2 in. (50 mm) deep minimum, essentially parallel to the examination surface.
(b) Hole Tolerance. The tolerance on diameter shall be ± 1⁄32 in. (± 0.8 mm). The tolerance on location through the block thickness shall be
± 1⁄8 in. (± 3.2 mm).
(c) All holes shall be located on the same face (side) of the block and aligned at the approximate center of the face (side).
(d) When the weld is broken up into multiple zones, each zone shall have a Tz /4 and Tz 3/4 side drilled hole, where Tz is the zone thickness.
FIG III-434.2.1(b) TWO-ZONE REFERENCE BLOCK EXAMPLE
T1/4
T13/4 Upper zone
T1
T
T2/4
T23/4 Lower zone
T2
GENERAL NOTES:
(a) T1 equals the thickness of the upper zone.
(b) T2 equals the thickness of the lower zone.
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ARTICLE 4 2007 SECTION V
Alternatively, a thicker block may be utilized provided the additional offset scans are required with the probes offset
reference reflector size is based on the thickness to be by the distance(s) identified above. See Fig. III-463.5 for
examined and an adequate number of holes exist to comply an example.
with III-434.2.1 requirements. III-463.6 Encoder. Encoders shall be calibrated per the
III-434.2.3 Block Range of Use. The requirements manufacturer’s recommendations and confirmed by mov-
of T-434.2.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. ing a minimum distance of 20 in. (500 mm) and the dis-
III-434.2.4 Alternate Block. The requirements of played distance being ±1% of the actual distance moved.
T-434.2.4 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.
III-464 Calibration for Piping
III-434.3 Piping Calibration Block. The requirements
of T-434.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. The requirements of T-464 are not applicable to the
TOFD technique.
III-434.4 Cladding Calibration Blocks. The require-
ments of T-434.4 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.
III-465 Calibration for Cladding
III-434 Mechanics The requirements of T-465 are not applicable to the
TOFD technique.
Mechanical holders shall be used to ensure that probe
spacing is maintained at a fixed distance. The mechanical III-467 Encoder Confirmation
holders shall also ensure that alignment to the intended
scan axis on the examination piece is maintained. Probe A calibration check shall be performed at intervals not
motion may be achieved using motorized or manual means to exceed one month or prior to first use thereafter, made
and the mechanical holder for the probes shall be equipped by moving the encoder along a minimum distance of 20 in.
with a positional encoder that is synchronized with the (500 mm) and the displayed distance being ±1% of the
sampling of A-scans. acutal distance moved.
III-470 EXAMINATION
III-460 CALIBRATION
III-471.1 Examination Coverage. The volume to be
III-463 Calibration for Nonpiping scanned shall be examined with the TOFD probe pair cen-
III-463.1 Calibration Block. Calibration shall be per- tered on and transverse to the weld axis and then moving
formed utilizing the calibration block shown in the probe pair parallel to and along the weld axis. If offset
Fig. 434.2.1(a) or on the material to be examined. scans are required due to the width of the weld, repeat the
III-463.2 Calibration. Set the TOFD probes on the initial scan with the probes offset to one side of the weld
surface to be utilized for calibration and set the gain control axis and again with the offset to the opposite side of the
so that the lateral wave amplitude is from 40% to 90% of first offset scan.
the full screen height (FSH) and the noise (grass) level is III-471.4 Overlap. The minimum overlap between
less than 5–10% FSH. This is the reference sensitivity adjacent scans shall be 1 in. (25 mm).
setting. For multiple zone examinations when the lateral
wave is not displayed, or barely discernible, set the gain III-471.5 Multiple Zone Examination. When a weld
control based solely on the noise (grass) level. is broken down into multiple zones, repeat III-471.1 for
each weld zone.
III-463.3 Confirmation of Sensitivity. Scan the cali-
III-471.6 Recording Data (Gated Region). The unrec-
bration block’s SDHs with them centered between the
tified (RF waveform) A-scan signal shall be recorded. The
probes, at the reference sensitivity level set in III-463.2.
A-scan gated region shall be set to start just prior to the
The SDH with the weakest response shall display an indica-
lateral wave and, as a minimum, not end until all of the
tion of 80% of FSH minimum.
first back-wall signal with allowance for thickness and
III-463.4 Multiple Zone Examinations. When a weld mismatch variations, is recorded. Useful data can be
is broken up into multiple zones, repeat III-463.2 and obtained from mode-converted signals; therefore, the inter-
III-463.3 for each TOFD probe pair. In addition, the nearest val from the first back-wall to the mode-converted back-
SDH in the adjoining zone(s) shall be detected. wall signal shall also be included in the data collected
III-463.5 Width of Coverage Confirmation. Two when required by the referencing Code.
additional scans per III-463.3 shall be made with the probes III-471.8 Reflectors Transverse to the Weld Seam. 07
offset to either side of the applicable zone’s weld edge ±1⁄2 An angle beam examination shall be performed in accor-
in. (13 mm). If all the required holes are not detected, two dance with T-472.1.3 for reflectors transverse to the weld
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2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 4
FIG. III-463.5 OFFSET SCANS
SCAN #3
PCS offset ⫹1/2 of applicable zone
width ⫹1/2 in. (13 mm)
⫹ applicable zone
width ⫹1/2 in.
(13 mm)
⫺
SCAN #1
PCS centered on weld
axis
SCAN #2
PCS offset ⫺1/2 of applicable zone
width ⫹1/2 in. (13 mm)
axis unless the referencing Code Section specifies a TOFD III-475 Data Sampling Spacing
examination. In these cases, position each TOFD probe
pair essentially parallel to the weld axis and move the A maximum sample spacing of 0.040 in. (1 mm) shall
probe pair along and down the weld axis. If the weld be used between A-scans collected for thicknesses under
reinforcement is not ground smooth, position the probes 2 in. (50 mm) and a sample spacing of up to 0.080 in.
on the adjacent plate material as parallel to the weld axis (2 mm) may be used for thicknesses greater than 2 in.
as possible. (50 mm).
III-471.9 Supplemental Shear Wave Examination.
Due to the presence of the lateral wave and back-wall
indication signals, flaws occurring in these zones may not III-485 Missing Data Lines
be detected. Therefore, the weld’s near surfaces (i.e., both
top and bottom faces) shall be angle beam examined per Missing lines in the display shall not exceed 5% of the
Article 4 requirements with the angles chosen that are scan lines to be collected, and no adjacent lines shall be
closest to being perpendicular to the fusion lines. This missed.
examination may be performed manually or mechanized;
if mechanized, the data shall be collected in conjunction
with the TOFD examination. III-486 Flaw Sizing and Interpretation
III-472 Weld Joint Distance Amplitude When height of flaw sizing is required, after the system
Technique is calibrated per III-643, a free run on the calibration block
shall be performed and the depth of the back-wall reflection
The requirements of T-472 are not applicable to the
calculated by the system shall be ±0.4 in. (1 mm) of the
TOFD technique.
actual thickness. For multiple zone examinations where
the back wall is not displayed or barely discernible, a
III-473 Cladding Technique side-drilled hole in the calibration block shall be used. See
The requirements of T-473 are not applicable to the Nonmandatory Appendix N of this Article for additional
TOFD technique. information on flaw sizing and interpretation.
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ARTICLE 4 2007 SECTION V
III-490 DOCUMENTATION TABLE IV-422
REQUIREMENTS OF A PHASED ARRAY, SINGLE
III-492 Examination Record
FIXED ANGLE WITH MANUAL RASTER SCANNING
For each examination, the required information in T-492 EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
and the following information shall be recorded: Requirements Essential Nonessential
(a) probe center spacing (PCS) (As Applicable) Variable Variable
(b) data sampling spacing
Search unit type, element size X ...
(c) flaw height, if specified and number, and pitch and
gap dimensions
Focus range (identifying plane, X ...
III-493 Report depth, or sound path, as
applicable)
A report of the examination shall be made. The report
shall include those records indicated in T-491, T-492, and
III-492. The report shall be filed and maintained in accor-
dance with the referencing Code Section. the written procedure by demonstration. A change of a
requirement identified as a nonessential variable does not
require requalification of the written procedure. All
changes of essential or nonessential variables from those
APPENDIX IV — PHASED ARRAY, specified within the written procedure shall require revision
SINGLE FIXED ANGLE WITH of, or an addendum to, the written procedure.
MANUAL RASTER SCANNING
IV-410 SCOPE IV-461 Instrument Linearity Checks
This Mandatory Appendix describes the requirements IV-461.2 Amplitude Control Linearity. The ultra-
to be used for a manual phased array ultrasonic examination sonic instrument’s amplitude control linearity shall be eval-
utilizing a single fixed angle with manual raster scanning. uated in accordance with Mandatory Appendix III for each
pulser-receiver circuit.
IV-420 GENERAL IV-462 General Calibration Requirements
The requirements of Article 4 apply except as modified IV-462.7 Focal Law.1 The focal law to be used during
by this Appendix. the examination shall be used for calibration.
IV-422 Written Procedure Requirements IV-492 Examination Record
IV-422.1 Requirements. Phased array, single fixed For each examination, the required information of T-492
angle with manual raster scanning shall be performed in and the following information shall be recorded:
accordance with a written procedure which shall, as a (a) search unit type, element size and number, and pitch
minimum, contain the requirements listed in Tables T-422 and gap dimensions
and III-422. The written procedure shall establish a single (b) focal law parameters, including angle, focal depth,
value or range of values for each requirement. and elements used
IV-422.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure 1
Focal law is defined as a phased array operational file that defines
qualification is specified, a change of a requirement identi- the search unit elements and their time delays, for both the transmitter
fied as an essential variable shall require requalification of and receiver function.
58
