P-003 Ultrasonic Testing Procedure
P-003 Ultrasonic Testing Procedure
KTI/LONESTAR
P-004
Doc. No.
1.0 SCOPE
2.0 REFERENCES
3.0 SAFETY
4.0 PERSONNEL
6.0 EQUIPMENT
7.0 MATERIALS
8.0 PREPARATION
10.0 METHOD
11.0 EVALUATION
13.0 REPORTS
14.0 RECORDS
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1.0 SCOPE
This procedure covers the minimum requirements for the ultrasonic testing (UT) of
welded joints and base materials by applying manual pulse echo contact method in all
forms of ferric steels having thicknesses of 12 mm to 100 mm and when in circular
forms a minimum outside diameter of 100 mm, in accordance with ASME Section V for
the Project both Pipeline per ASME B31.8 and Process Piping per ASME B31.3
Welds of various configurations shall be examined using this procedure. The weld shall
be scanned from both sides where accessible.
2.1 ASME Section V Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for Non Destructive Testing
2.7 ADCO Doc. No. 11.99.12.1617 Specification for Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities
2.9 ANSI / ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
3.0 SAFETY
All personnel shall be aware at all times of hazards both of site and method in order to
prevent accident or injury to self or others.
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3.1 General
Care shall be taken when using the following,
a) Electrical items, undamaged wiring, correct plug for socket, correct voltage.
3.2 Specific
Due to necessity of using couplants as cellulose paste, oils and greases, care shall be
exercised in handling ensuring that hands are washed frequently with warm water and
soap. Prolonged contact may cause adverse skin reactions, dermatitis, etc.
4.0 PERSONNEL
4.1 Qualification
Personnel shall be qualified at least one of the following,
c) Personnel having other qualification may use this procedure with specific written
approval of Client authorized representative.
4.2 Vision
Personnel performing examination shall have vision, with correction if necessary, as
follows,
a) Near vision acuity: capable of reading Jaeger J-2 or equivalent on standard chart at
a distance of not less than 300 mm (12 in). Test shall be administered annually
b) Color contrast vision: shall have color vision acuity per Ishihara charts, or shall be
able to differentiate the contrast among the shades of colours used in method. Test
shall be administered at three-year intervals.
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6.0 EQUIPMENT
b) The equipment shall have the frequency range from 1 MHz to 10 MHz.
c) The equipment time base linearity shall be within 2% over the whole range.
d) The amplifier shall have an accuracy of 1% within the range of 20% to 80% echo
height.
6.2 Calibration
The operator shall use only calibrated equipment. The calibration for digital type
equipment shall be valid for one (1) year.
Recalibration shall be required when any part of the examination system is
changed.
Periodic examination calibration check shall be carried out:
a. On the finish of each examination.
b. Every 4 hour during the examination.
c. When examination personnel are changed.
6.3 Probes
a) The choice of probe(s) depends on weld thickness, diameter and metallurgical
structure. For practical purposes, shear wave angle probes of 1MHz to 5MHz shall
be used unless variables, such as grain structure of material requires the use of
other frequencies to assure adequate penetration or better resolution.
c) Specific angle beam probes of specific frequencies not mentioned above may be
used, as the usage will depend upon weld profiles, type of welding, thickness and
orientation. In general at least one angle beam probe shall be chosen to be as near
normal to the weld fusion face(s) as practicable.
d) When testing components less then 150 mm (6 in) diameter pipes probe shoes
suitable to the shape / contour of the scanning surface shall be used.
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6.4 Cables
Minimum of 2 m (6 ft) and a maximum of 5 m (15 ft) in length, single or twin, with
suitable connections.
7.0 MATERIALS
The same couplant used for calibration shall be used during the
examination
8.0 PREPARATION
The difference of temperature between the calibration block and test item shall not be
greater than 14°C ( 25°F)
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Figure 1a: IIW V1 Block
50 mm 25 mm
40° 60°
70°
5 mmØ
9.1 Material
Material of calibration block shall be of the same product form and material specification
or equivalent, P-number as of the material being examined. P-numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5
materials are considered equivalent.
For dissimilar weld materials, calibration reflectors shall be provided in both materials.
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9.2 DAC Curve
The DAC curve with angle beam probe or normal beam probe shall be drawn separately
when testing with the particular probe (angle or normal) using the suitable standard
reference blocks for the material and thickness of the test surface. Refer to figures 2
and 3.
The DAC curve shall be drawn by selecting holes of 3 mm diameter in the reference
block so that the full testing range required for the weld shall be covered.
9.2.1 Method
a) Select a target hole for DAC and adjust the probe position to obtain maximum
echo height from that hole.
b) Adjust the gain (dB) to show 80% FSH echo height. Mark the position on the
screen.
c) Without altering the equipment adjust the probe position to obtain maximum
amplitude from the other directions of the probe positions. Refer to figures 2 and
3.
d) Join the marked points on the screen to obtained DAC for that probe.
e) The steps a, b, c and d shall be followed for the other probe angles.
To compensate the difference in the surface roughness of test specimen and the
reference block, the transfer correction shall be carried out. The procedure for the
determination of transfer loss is as follows:
1. Calibrate the screen for a suitable range using a probe of the same angle and
frequency as will be used for the test.
2. Use two probes of same crystal size, angle and frequency operating as separate
transmitter and receiver.
3. Place the two probes at one skip distance apart (Fig. 1c) on the BCB and bring
the echo to 80% of full screen height. Note the reading of the gain control. Let it
be „A‟ dB.
T R1 R2
Figure: 1c
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4. Repeat step-3 but this time with the test specimen (Fig. 1) and note the gain
control reading. Let it be „B‟ dB.
5. By using the DGS diagram of the probe used, determine the difference in the
echo heights due to the beam spread as follows:
T.L = (A - B) dB
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Figure: 2 CONSTRUCTION OF REFERENCE CURVE (DAC) WITH NORMAL PROBE
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FOR THICKNESS < 25 mm
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EXAMINATION SENSITIVITY
SCAN Evaluation
Scanning Sensitivity
Sensitivity
Normal beam DAC + 6dB DAC + losses (dB)
Longitudinal DAC + 6dB + losses
DAC + losses (dB)
imperfections (dB)
Transverse
DAC + 14dB DAC + losses (dB)
imperfections
10.0 METHOD
10.1 Essential Variables
The essential variables as detailed below shall remain constant for all the testing:
Weld configurations to be examined, including thickness dimensions and base
material product from (pipe, plate, etc.).
The surfaces from which the examination shall be performed.
Technique(s) (straight beam, angle beam, contact and/or immersion).
Angle(s) and mode(s) of wave propagation in the material
Search unit type(s), frequency(ies), and element size(s) / shape(s).
Special search units, wedges, shoes or saddles, when used
Ultrasonic equipment(s)
Calibration {calibration block(s) and technique(s)}
Direction and extent of scanning
Scanning (manual versus automatic)
Method for discriminating geometric from flaw indications
Computer enhanced data acquisition, when used
Scan overlap (decrease only)
Personnel performance requirements, when required
10.2 General
a) The thickness of each member to be tested shall be determined by using pulse-echo
contact method with normal beam probe. In case of circumferential weld on tubular
member thickness shall be checked at least four locations around the
circumference. Thickness shall be checked every 2 m (6 ft) in flat plate connections.
b) To cover the complete area of the test surface probe shall overlap a minimum of
10% of the transducer dimension or as specified in Section 10.3 and 10.4, parallel to
the direction of scan.
10.3 Scanning
A minimum of three transducers, one straight beam and two angle beam shall be
used for scanning of welds and parent metal.
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The parent metal adjacent to the weld on both sides shall be scanned using 00
probe to locate any imperfections such as laminations which may interfere or
influence the degree of inspections when testing with angle beam probes.
a) Weld scanned from the both sides wherever accessible and feasible.
b) For detection of longitudinal defects the probe shall be placed on the parent
metal in such way that the sound beam is normal to the weld axis. Refer to
figure 4a and 4b.
d) For detection of transverse defects the probe shall be placed along the side
0 0
of the weld so that the sound beam forms an angle of 10 -20 with the
centerline of the weld connection.
Scanning Area
Figure: 5a
Figure: 4a Single
Single“V”
“V”Weld
WeldScan
Scan
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Scanning area
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WELD AXIS
PATTERN D
PATTERN E
a a C
B
MOVEMENT A
MOVEMENT B MOVEMENT C
Notes:
1 Testing patterns are all symmetrical around the weld axis with the
exception of pattern D which is conducted directly over the weld axis.
2 Testing from both sides of the weld axis is to be made wherever
mechanically possible.
Figure : 6 5 PLAN
Figure: VIEWOF
PLAN VIEW OFUT
UTSCANNING
SCANNING PATTERN
PATTERN
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10.4 Nozzle Weld
10.4.1 For inspection of nozzle weld access to all the scanning surfaces may not be
possible. The possible scans are illustrated in the Figure 6.
10.4.2 Choice of probe angle and frequency depends upon the weld configuration,
thickness of weld and material.
Weld
Probe
Probe Probe
1
2 3 4
40°
Figure:
Figure: Scansfor
9 6 Scans forfully
fully penetrated
penetrated “set“set
on” on” welds .
welds
10.4.3 Scan 1 and 2 are normal beam scan with 0° probe. Scan 3 is a root scan. Scan
4 is the scan made by moving the probe between half skip and full skip limits to
determine lack of sidewall fusion and weld body defects.
11.0 EVALUATION
11.1 Geometric Indications
Ultrasonic indications that are determined to originate from weld reinforcement or root
geometry or variation in metallurgical structure of material (such as cladding to the base
metal interface) may be classified as geometric indications and
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11.2 Recording
The discontinuities which produce an indication greater than 20% of the reference level
shall be investigated.
All indications that have an echo height more than 50% of the reference hole shall be
recorded and evaluated.
50 % Height
0 2 4 6 8 10
Figure:
Fig : 10 7Defect
Defectsizing
sizingby
by 6
6dB
dB drop
dropmethod
method
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Other discontinuities are unacceptable if the indication exceeds the reference
level and their length exceeds the following:
19.0mm for „t‟ over 57.0mm where „t‟ is the thickness of weld. If the weld joins
two different thicknesses, „t‟ is the thinner of these thicknesses.
13.0 REPORTS
For each weld examined the technician shall submit a signed report detailing the
following information
Report no
Client
Job no./ work order no.
Item description
Weld / item no.
Weld Configuration
Acceptance criteria
Length of weld / diameter of weld
Thickness and reinforcement.
Welder No.
Welding process
UT procedure number and procedure
UT technique
UT equipment model and serial no.
UT probes, manufacturer, serial no., frequency and size
UT probe cables type and length
UT probe beam angles used
Couplant, type, brand
Special equipment, auto-scanning, wedges, recording, etc
Calibration block(s), type and identification
UT set reference level gain, damping and reject settings
Simulation or data correlation blocks
Scan details, volume, etc
Access surface / face, and condition
Surface(s) from which examination was conducted
Record or map of detected rejectable indications
Date of test with technician name and signature
14.0 RECORDS
Following acceptance of report by Client, copy shall be filed, together with copies of
sketch(es), specific procedure(s), photograph(s) or other relevant material, in such
manner to allow easy retrieval if and when required.
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A: TECHNIQUE SHEET FOR THE WELD (plus HAZ ) EXAMINATION
BY ULTRASONIC PULSE ECHO CONTACT METHOD
Weld type Butt weld
1
Material Carbon Steel
2 Thickness (t) 12 to 25mm
3 Weld groove design Single Vee
Free of contaminations, loose paint, scale and spatters
4 Surface preparation
etc.
Ultrasonic Equipment Digital display, Freq. 1 MHz to 10 MHz
5
Equipment Calibration Annual
6 Couplant Cellulose paste, glycerin, grease or light machine oil
Parent Metal Scan Normal beam probe 4 MHz-TC/4MHz-SC
Range Calibration As appropriate
7 Scanning Area From weld toe to full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Ist backwall echo to 80% of FSH from sound portion of
Sensitivity Settings(dB)
test specimen
Scanning sensitivity Reference Sensitivity + 6dB
Weld Scan Angle beam probes 60° & 70° -4MHz
Range calibration As appropriate
Scanning Area Half to Full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Calibration blocks IIW V1, V2 & VW (Step block)
Basic Calibration Block (s)
t = 19mm with ø 2.5mm side drill holes, ¼ t, ½ t & ¾ t
8 (BCB)
Reference reflector for
sensitivity Side Drill Hole - ¾ t
Scanning sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)+6dB
Evaluation sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)
Investigation – echo height 20% DAC
Evaluation of indication Recording – echo height 50% DAC
Evaluation –echo height 100% DAC and above
DAC 100% and 20% DAC For each 60° & 70° probe
9
Transfer Losses As appropriate.
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B: TECHNIQUE SHEET FOR THE WELD (plus HAZ ) EXAMINATION
BY ULTRASONIC PULSE ECHO CONTACT METHOD
Weld type Butt weld
1
Material Carbon Steel
2 Thickness (t) 25 to 50mm
3 Weld groove design Single Vee
Free of contaminations, loose paint, scale and spatters
4 Surface preparation
etc.
Ultrasonic Equipment Digital display, Freq. 1 MHz to 10 MHz
5
Equipment Calibration Annual
6 Couplant Cellulose paste, glycerin, grease or light machine oil
Parent Metal Scan Normal beam probe 4 MHz-SC
Range Calibration As appropriate
7 Scanning Area From weld toe to full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Ist backwall echo to 80% of FSH from sound portion of
Sensitivity Settings(dB)
test specimen
Scanning sensitivity Reference Sensitivity + 6dB
Weld Scan Angle beam probes 45°, 60° & 70° -4MHz
Range calibration As appropriate
Scanning Area Half to Full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Calibration blocks IIW V1, V2 & VW (Step block)
Basic Calibration Block (s)
t = 38mm with ø 3mm side drill holes, ¼ t, ½ t & ¾ t
8 (BCB)
Reference reflector for Side Drill Hole – 1/2 t (t = 21-30mm) and ¾ t (t = 31-
sensitivity 50mm)
Scanning sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)+6dB
Evaluation sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)
Investigation – echo height 20% DAC
Evaluation of indication Recording – echo height 50% DAC
Evaluation – echo height 100% DAC and above
DAC 100% and 20% DAC For each 45°, 60° & 70° probe
9
Transfer Losses As appropriate.
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C: TECHNIQUE SHEET FOR THE WELD (plus HAZ ) EXAMINATION
BY ULTRASONIC PULSE ECHO CONTACT METHOD
Weld type Butt weld
1
Material Carbon Steel
2 Thickness (t) 25-50 mm
3 Weld groove design Double Vee
Free of contaminations, loose paint, scale and spatters
4 Surface preparation
etc.
Ultrasonic Equipment Digital display, Freq. 1 MHz to 10 MHz
5
Equipment Calibration Annual
6 Couplant Cellulose paste, glycerin, grease or light machine oil
Parent Metal Scan Normal beam probe 4 MHz-SC
Range Calibration As appropriate
7 Scanning Area From weld toe to full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Ist backwall echo to 80% of FSH from sound portion of
Sensitivity Settings(dB)
test specimen
Scanning sensitivity Reference Sensitivity + 6dB
Root Scan Angle beam probes 60° & 70° -4MHz
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D: TECHNIQUE SHEET FOR THE WELD (plus HAZ ) EXAMINATION
BY ULTRASONIC PULSE ECHO CONTACT METHOD
Weld type Butt weld
1
Material Carbon Steel
2 Thickness (t) 50-100 mm
3 Weld groove design Double Vee
Free of contaminations, loose paint, scale and spatters
4 Surface preparation
etc.
Ultrasonic Equipment Digital display, Freq. 1 MHz to 10 MHz
5
Equipment Calibration Annual
6 Couplant Cellulose paste, glycerin, grease or light machine oil
Parent Metal Scan Normal beam probe 4 MHz-SC
Range Calibration As appropriate
7 Scanning Area From weld toe to full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Ist backwall echo to 80% of FSH from sound portion of
Sensitivity Settings(dB)
test specimen
Scanning sensitivity Reference Sensitivity + 6dB
Root Scan Angle beam probes 45° & 60° -4MHz
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E: TECHNIQUE SHEET FOR THE WELD (plus HAZ ) EXAMINATION
BY ULTRASONIC PULSE ECHO CONTACT METHOD
Weld type Nozzle weld
1
Material Carbon Steel
2 Thickness (t) Upto 50mm
3 Weld groove design Single bevel full penetration
Free of contaminations, loose paint, scale and spatters
4 Surface preparation
etc.
Ultrasonic Equipment Digital display, Freq. 1 MHz to 10 MHz
5
Equipment Calibration Annual
6 Couplant Cellulose paste, glycerin, grease or light machine oil
Parent Metal Scan Normal beam probe 4 MHz-TC/4MHz-SC
Range Calibration As appropriate
From weld toe to full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Scanning Area
7 Refer figure 9 of this document
Ist backwall echo to 80% of FSH from sound portion of
Sensitivity Settings(dB)
test specimen
Scanning sensitivity Reference Sensitivity + 6dB
Weld Scan Angle beam probes 45°, 60° & 70° -4MHz
Range calibration As appropriate
Scanning Area Half to Full skip distance + ½ weld cap
Calibration blocks IIW V1, V2 & VW (Step block)
Basic Calibration Block (s) t = 19/38mm with ø 2.5 / 3.0mm side drill holes, ¼ t, ½ t &
8 (BCB) ¾t
Reference reflector for
Side Drill Hole - ¾ t
sensitivity
Scanning sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)+6dB
Evaluation sensitivity Reference dB +losses(dB)
Investigation – echo height 20% DAC
Evaluation of indication Recording – echo height 50% DAC
Evaluation –echo height 100% DAC and above
DAC 100% and 20% DAC For each 45°. 60° & 70° probe
9
Transfer Losses As appropriate.
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Project No.: P 90115
DOCUMENT TITLE:
ADCO Doc. No. 11.99.97.2663
ULTRASONIC TESTING PROCEDURE Rev. 1 Date :14/04/2010
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