This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E213 − 22

Standard Practice for

Ultrasonic Testing of Metal Pipe and Tubing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E213; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for detecting discon- safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tinuities in metal pipe and tubing during a volumetric exami- responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nation using ultrasonic methods. Specific techniques of the priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ultrasonic method to which this practice applies include mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pulse-reflection techniques, both contact and non-contact (for 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
example, as described in Guide E1774 and Practice E1816), dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
and angle beam immersion techniques, both conventional and ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
phased array. Artificial reflectors consisting of longitudinal, Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and, when specified by the using party or parties, transverse mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
reference notches placed on the surfaces of a reference Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
standard are employed as the primary means of standardizing 2. Referenced Documents
the ultrasonic system.
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
iTeh Standards
1.2 This practice is intended for use with tubular products
having outside diameters approximately 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) and
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
Testing
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larger, provided that the examination parameters comply with
and satisfy the requirements of Section 11. These procedures
have been successful with smaller sizes. These may be speci-
E1065 Practice for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic
Search Units

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fied upon contractual agreement between the using parties.
These procedures are intended to ensure that proper beam
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1774 Guide for Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers
(EMATs)
angles and beam shapes are used to provide full volume E1816 Practice for Measuring thickness by Pulse-Echo Elec-
ASTM
coverage of pipes and tubes, including those with low E213-22 tromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Methods
ratios of
outside diameter-to-wall thickness, and to avoid spurious 2.2 ASNT Documents:4
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signal responses when examining small-diameter, thin-wall Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A for Nondestructive
tubes. Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
1.3 The procedure in Annex A1 is applicable to pipe and ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
tubing used in nuclear and other special and safety applica- cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
tions. The procedure in Annex A2 may be used to determine 2.3 ISO Standard:5
the helical scan pitch. ISO 9712 Non-destructive Testing— Qualification and Cer-
1.4 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria; they tification of NDT Personnel
must be specified by the using party or parties. 2.4 AIA Document:6
NAS 410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
1.5 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be Testing Personnel
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
3
information only and are not considered standard. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- the ASTM website.
4
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
Ultrasonic Method. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
5
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022. Published February 2022. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as E213 – 20. DOI: Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
10.1520/E0213-22. Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
2 6
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Practice Available from Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd.,
SE-213 in the Code. Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E213 − 22
3. Terminology 5. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this 5.1 The purpose of this practice is to outline a procedure for
practice, see Terminology E1316. detecting and locating significant discontinuities such as pits,
voids, inclusions, cracks, splits, etc., by the ultrasonic pulse-
4. Summary of Practice reflection method.
4.1 A pulsed ultrasonic angle beam by means of non-
contact, surface contact, or immersion method shall be used. 6. Basis of Application
Fig. 1 illustrates the characteristic ultrasonic angle beam entry 6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
into the wall of a pipe or tube in the circumferential direction ment between the parties using or referencing this practice.
to detect longitudinal discontinuities using a single search unit.
Fig. 2 illustrates the characteristic angle beam ultrasound entry 6.2 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel
into the wall of a pipe or tube in the axial direction to search performing examinations to this practice shall be qualified in
for transverse discontinuities using a single search unit. accordance with a nationally recognized NDT personnel quali-
fication practice or standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189,
NOTE 1—The immersion method may include tanks, wheel search units, SNT-TC-1A, ISO 9712, NAS 410, or a similar document and
or systems that use streams or columns of liquid to couple the ultrasonic certified by the employer or certifying agency, as applicable.
energy from the search unit to the material.
The practice or standard used and its applicable revision shall
4.2 To ensure detection of discontinuities that may not be identified in the contractual agreement between the using
provide a favorable response from one side, scanning shall be parties.
performed in both circumferential directions for longitudinal
6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified
discontinuities and when an axial scan is specified by the using
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified
party or parties, in both axial directions for transverse discon-
and evaluated as described in Specification E543. The appli-
tinuities.
cable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in the
4.3 For efficient examination of large quantities of material, contractual agreement.

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multiple search units and instruments may be used simultane-
6.4 Size and type of pipe or tubing to be examined.
ously to perform scanning in the required directions. Multiple

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search units may be employed for “interlaced” scanning in
6.5 Procedures and Techniques—The procedures and tech-
each required direction to enable higher examination rates to be
niques to be utilized shall be as specified in the contractual
achieved through higher allowable scan index or “pitch.”
agreement and should include:
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ASTM E213-22
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FIG. 1 Circumferential Propagation of Sound in a Pipe or Tube Wall

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 E213 − 22

FIG. 2 Axial Propagation of Sound in a Pipe or Tube Wall

6.5.1 Type, dimension, location, and number of reference 8. Apparatus

reflectors to be placed in the reference standard,
8.1 Instruments shall be of the pulse echo type and shall be
6.5.2 Method(s) for measuring side versus side acoustic
capable of detecting the reference notches of the types de-
response of reference notches and tolerance limits,
scribed in Section 10 to the extent required in the standardiza-
6.5.3 Items that affect examination coverage may also be
tion procedure described in Section 11. An independent chan-
specified such as scan overlap, examination frequency, pulse
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density, and maximum search unit size,
6.5.4 Sound beam orientation and number of beams used,
nel (or channels) of instrumentation shall be employed to
individually monitor the responses from the longitudinal and,

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when required, transverse oriented search units. The instrument
6.5.5 Number of dead elements within a phased array virtual
pulse repetition rate per channel shall be capable of being
probe,
adjusted to a sufficiently high value to ensure notch detection at
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6.5.6 Procedure and use of distance amplitude
the scanning rate employed. The instrument shall be capable of
compensation, and
this pulse repetition rate without false indications due to
6.5.7 Maximum time interval between equipment standard-
spurious reflections or interference from other instruments and
ization checks, if different from that described in 12.2, and the
search units being used for simultaneous examinations in other
tolerance to be applied to a standardization check, ASTM E213-22
directions or along other scan paths.
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6.6 The stage(s) in the manufacturing process at which the 8.1.1 The frequency and bandwidth of the instrument and
material will be examined. search unit shall be capable of being selected to produce a
6.7 Surface Preparation—The pre-examination surface satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio for the detection of the re-
preparation if additional requirements are necessary beyond quired notches as compared to background “noise” response
what is specified in Section 7. from irregularities such as grain boundaries and surface rough-
6.8 Reporting ness.
6.8.1 Criteria for reportable and rejectable indications (ac- 8.2 Search unit frequency shall be selected to produce a
ceptance criteria), and desirable “signal-to-noise” ratio (S/N), from the material to be
6.8.2 Requirements for permanent records of the response examined, at the specified sensitivity. A S/N value of at least 3
from each tube, if applicable. to 1 is usually considered to be minimum. A higher minimum
6.9 Reexamination of Repaired/Reworked Items— value is desirable and may be specified by the contracting
Reexamination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in agency.
this practice and if required shall be specified in the contractual 8.2.1 Select a search unit size, frequency, and refracted
agreement. angle (or corresponding parameters for non-contact tech-
niques) to produce an approximate 45 degrees beam-center
7. Surface Condition shear wave in the tube or pipe wall. For material with an
7.1 All surfaces shall be clean and free of scale, dirt, grease, outside diameter-to-thickness ratio less than 7, a lower re-
paint, or other foreign material that could interfere with fracted angle (or corresponding parameters for non-contact
interpretation of examination results. The methods used for techniques) must be used to ensure intersection with the inside
cleaning and preparing the surfaces for ultrasonic examination
shall not be detrimental to the base metal or the surface finish.
Excessive surface roughness or scratches can produce signals
that interfere with the examination.

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 E213 − 22
surface. This does not ensure detection of midwall disconti- ultrasonic transmission when the tubing is precoated several hours before
nuities (See Ref (1)).7 the examination.
8.2.2 Phased Array Transducers: Linear or Non-Linear
Arrays—Each virtual probe in the array shall meet the appli- 10. Reference Standards
cable requirements of a search unit as defined in 8.2.1. Virtual 10.1 A reference standard of a convenient length (see A1.4)
probe responses within an array shall be normalized to each shall be prepared from a length of pipe or tube of the same
other for a defined beam profile. nominal diameter, wall thickness, material, surface finish, and
8.2.3 For contact systems, the curvature of the contact acoustical properties as the material to be examined. The
mechanism should match the tube outside diameter. reference pipe or tube shall be free of discontinuities or other
8.3 The positions of all conveyor and drive mechanisms conditions producing indications that can interfere with detec-
must be set to support and feed the material to be examined in tion of the reference notches.
a stable manner and at the desired scan “pitch” (helix). For 10.2 Longitudinal and, when required by the contracting
small tubes, support mechanisms must be used in the exami- agency, transverse reference notches shall be placed on both
nation station to prevent any transverse motion with respect to the outside and inside surfaces of the reference standard to
the search unit beam during scanning. If larger material that is ensure satisfactory examination sensitivity near each of these
not straight is to be examined, the search units may have to be boundaries.
supported in a “follower” mechanism to compensate for this.
10.3 Reference notches shall be separated sufficiently (cir-
9. Couplant cumferentially or axially, or both) to preclude interference and
interpretation difficulties.
9.1 For piezoelectric-based search units (non-contact tech-
niques do not require couplant), a couplant such as water, oil, 10.4 All upset metal, burrs, etc., adjacent to the reference
or glycerin, capable of conducting ultrasonic vibrations be- notches shall be removed.
tween the search unit and the pipe or tube being examined shall 10.5 The notch dimensions and tolerances, which are
be used. Rust inhibitors, softeners, and wetting agents may be length, depth, and width (and for V-notches, the included

iTeh Standards
added to the couplant. The couplant liquid with all the angle) must be decided upon by the using party or parties,
additives shall not be detrimental to the surface condition of the unless specified otherwise by the product specification. Fig. 3
pipe or tube, and shall wet the surface of the material to illustrates the common notch configurations and the dimen-
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provide adequate coupling efficiency. To prevent spurious
signals or loss of sensitivity, or both, care must be taken to
sions to be measured (Note 3). Reflection amplitudes from V-,
square-, and U-shaped notches of comparable dimensions may
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avoid the presence of air bubbles in the couplant. For contact,
squirter, or wheel-type systems, the equipment may use ultra-
sonic or other means/techniques to monitor the coupling to
vary widely depending on the angle, frequency, and vibrational
mode of the interrogating sound beam.
ensure uninterrupted examination. NOTE 3—In Fig. 3 (a), ( b), and (d), the sharp corners are for ease of
ASTM E213-22 illustration. It is recognized that in normal machining practice, a radius
NOTE 2—In the contact method, some couplants result in better will be generated.
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10.5.1 The notch depth shall be an average measured from
7
the circular tubing surface to the maximum and minimum
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard.
penetration of the notch. Measurements may be made by

FIG. 3 Common Notch Shapes

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 E213 − 22
optical, replicating, or other agreed upon techniques. Unless 11.3 The pitch of the feed helix shall be small enough to
specified otherwise by the using party or parties, the notch ensure at least 100 % coverage at the examination distance and
depth shall be within 60.0005 in. (0.013 mm) of the specified sensitivity established during standardization. Coverage shall
value for notches 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) or less in depth, and be based upon the maximum effective size of the search unit,
within + 10, − 15 % of the specified value for notches over the pulse density for each instrument channel, and the helix.
0.005 in. in depth. At the option of the testing agency,
12. Procedure
shallower notches may be used to provide a more stringent
examination. 12.1 Examine the pipe or tubing with the ultrasound trans-
mitted in both circumferential directions for longitudinal dis-
NOTE 4—For as-rolled or scaly pipe or tube surfaces, it may be continuities and, when specified, in both axial directions for
necessary to modify 10.5.1. Two acceptable modifications are listed
below. Modification (a) is preferred; however, modification (b) may be transverse discontinuities, under identical conditions used for
used unless otherwise specified. equipment standardization (see Note 7).
(a) The circular pipe or tube surface may be smoothed or prepared in the NOTE 7—Identical conditions include all instrument settings, mechani-
notch area, or
cal motions, search unit position and alignment relative to the pipe or tube,
(b) The notch depth shall be within ±0.002 in. (0.051 mm), or + 10, − 15 %
of the specified depth, whichever is greater.
liquid couplant, and any other factors that affect the performance of the
examination.
10.5.2 When notch tolerances are specified by the using
12.2 Standardization Checks—Periodically check the dy-
party or parties, tolerances may often include only negative
namic standardization of the equipment by passing the refer-
values with zero positive deviation allowed so that sensitivity
ence standard through the examination system in accordance
is never reduced below a specified minimum value. The use of
with 11.2. Make these checks prior to any examination run,
smaller notches by the examination agency is permissible,
prior to equipment shutdown after an examination run, and at
provided that concurrence is obtained from the contracting
least every four hours during continuous equipment operation.
agency.
Restandardize the equipment in accordance with 11.1 and 11.2
NOTE 5—The amplitude of indications obtained from reference notches any time the equipment fails to produce the signal amplitudes
may not be linearly proportional to notch depth. This depends upon the or other conditions for rejection within the tolerances agreed
length. iTeh Standards
transducer beam profile as well as the intercepting beam width to notch upon with the contracting agency or the product manufactur-
er’s procedure. In the event that the equipment does not meet

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10.5.3 The width of the notches shall be as small as this requirement, reexamine all pipe or tubing examined since
practical, but should not exceed twice the depth. the last acceptable standardization after restandardization has
been accomplished.
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10.6 Other types and orientations of reference reflectors
may be specified by the using party or parties. 12.2.1 When required by the purchaser, more specific re-
standardization criteria may be specified.
11. Standardization of Apparatus 12.3 For many tubular sizes and examination arrangements,
11.1 Static Standardization—Using the referenceASTM E213-22
standard there will be a reflection from the entry surface of the pipe or
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specified in Section 10, adjust the equipment to produce clearly tube. This signal may be observed, but not gated for evaluation
identifiable indications from both the inner and outer surface purposes, as a supplement to the required checking of the
notches. The response from the inner and outer surface notches reference standard to provide increased assurance that the
should be as nearly equal as possible. Use the lesser of the two equipment is functioning properly. If such a signal does not
responses to establish the rejection level. On large diameter or exist, make more frequent equipment standardization checks.
heavy wall pipe and tubing, if the inner and outer surface notch 12.4 Do not make any equipment adjustments, during
amplitude cannot be made equal because of material soundpath examination, unless the complete standardization procedure
distance and inside diameter curvature, a separate rejection described in Section 11 is performed after any such adjustment.
level or gain may be established for the inner and outer surface 12.5 The examination shall be applied to 100 % of the pipe
notches. or tubing unless otherwise specified.
NOTE 6—Distance-Amplitude Correction— A method of compensating NOTE 8—Some traversing mechanisms do not allow examination of
for the reduction in ultrasonic signal amplitude as a function of material pipe or tube ends. When this condition exists, clearly indicate the extent
sound-path distance may be employed. Details of the procedures used to of this effect, per tube, in the examination report.
establish and apply the distance-amplitude correction (DAC) curve shall
be established by the using party or parties. 13. Interpretation of Results
11.2 Dynamic Standardization—Standardize the equipment 13.1 All indications that are equal to or greater than the
under dynamic conditions that simulate the production exami- rejection level established during standardization as described
nation. The pipe or tubing to be examined and the search unit in Section 11, using the agreed upon reference indicators
assembly shall have a rotating translating motion relative to described in 10.5, shall be considered as representing defects
each other such that a helical scan path will be described on the and may be cause for rejection of the pipe or tube.
outer surface of the pipe or tube. Maintain the speed of rotation Alternatively, the using party or parties may specify specific
and translation constant within 610 %. Axial scanning with acceptance criteria or other means (manual or semi-automated
circumferential indexing may be used to provide equivalent techniques) to further evaluate the indication to determine its
coverage. acceptability.

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 E213 − 22
13.2 If, upon further examination of the pipe or tube, no contain recordings of all standardizations and standardization
rejectable indications are detected, the material shall be con- checks and should be annotated to provide a positive correla-
sidered as having passed the ultrasonic examination, except as tion between examination record for each reject pipe or tube
noted in 12.2. and the corresponding pipe or tube. The supplier shall maintain
a report of the examination on file. When requested by the
NOTE 9—Rejected pipe or tubes may be reworked in a manner
acceptable to the purchaser. If, upon ultrasonic reexamination of the customer, a report of the examination shall be submitted to the
reworked pipe or tube, no rejectable indications are detected, the material customer. The report shall include at least the following
should be considered as having passed the ultrasonic examination. information:
NOTE 10—Care should be exercised to ensure that reworking a pipe or 14.2.1 Identification of the material by type, size, lot, heat
tube does not change its acceptability with respect to other requirements
treatment, and any other pertinent information.
of the material specification such as wall thickness, ovality, surface finish,
length, and the like. 14.2.2 Identification of the examination equipment and
accessories.
14. Documentation 14.2.3 Details of the examination technique, including ex-
amination speed, examination frequency, and end effects if any.
14.1 When a report is required, it shall contain such 14.2.4 Description of the reference standard, including the
information as is mutually considered adequate to document actual (measured) dimensions of the artificial reference reflec-
that the examination of the pipe or tubes supplied meets the tors.
requirements of this practice, and any modifications specified 14.2.5 Description of the distance-amplitude correction
in the contractual agreement. procedure, if used.
14.2 When a “third party” examination is required, as might 14.2.6 Examination results.
be performed by an independent examination facility, and to
the extent specified in the contractual agreement, a permanent 15. Keywords
record containing objective evidence of the examination results 15.1 angle beam; nondestructive examination; pipe; tubing;
shall be obtained for each pipe or tube examined. It shall ultrasonic examination

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ANNEXES

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(Mandatory Information)

A1. EXAMINATION OF PIPE AND TUBING FOR SPECIAL AND SAFETY APPLICATIONS

A1.1 Introduction—When the end use of pipe ASTM E213-22

or tubing generated by a cylindrically focused immersion search unit. In
depends critically upon freedom from discontinuities over a pipes and tubes with diameters several times larger than the
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certain maximum size, certain additional ultrasonic examina- length of a contact search unit, the general beam shapes are
tion procedures are required to assure that the required quality approximately the same.
standards are met. The immersion method is almost always
required for examining tubes for these uses. In some instances, A1.3 Additional Apparatus Requirements
such as field examination or where part contact with water is A1.3.1 Although contact search units may be used for small
undesirable, the contact method, or non-contact technique, for quantity and field examinations of pipes and tubes, cylindri-
instance as described in Guide E1774, may be employed. cally (line) focused immersion search units are preferred for
critical examinations and for larger quantities (See Refs (2),
A1.1.1 This practice is intended for use with tubular prod-
(3), and (4)). Search unit element size and focused beam length
ucts of any diameter and wall thickness, provided that proper shall be suitable for achieving reliable detection of defects
procedures, as described herein, are followed. These proce- equivalent in size to the reference notches at the scanning pitch
dures are intended to ensure that proper refraction angles and or index used. When examination of heavy-wall pipes and
beam shapes are used to provide full volume coverage of pipes tubes is required, the focal length, refraction angle, and
and tubes, including those with low ratios of outside diameter- included beam angle of focused search units shall be suitable
to-wall thickness, and to avoid spurious signal responses when for complete through-wall coverage (See (1)).
examining small-diameter, thin-wall tubes.
A1.3.2 The beam length of the search unit in the wall
A1.2 Summary of Practice—Pulsed ultrasonic angle beams material must be either longer or shorter than the length of
by either the surface contact or immersion method shall be longitudinal notches in the reference standard, by an amount
used. Fig. A1.1 illustrates characteristic angle beam ultrasound that is no less than the “pitch” (linear advance per revolution)
entry into the wall of a pipe or tube in the circumferential of the helical scan path (see A2.1). This is necessary to ensure
direction to detect longitudinal defects and in the axial direc- detection of discontinuities that are as long as the notches in
tion to detect transverse defects, when required. The incident spite of their random locations with respect to the scan path,
and refracted beams in these cases are pictured as being (See Annex A2).

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 E213 − 22

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ASTM E213-22
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FIG. A1.1 Beam Propagation in Pipe or Tube Walls