Significance and Use
This guide provides procedures for the application of contact straight-beam examination for the detection and quantitative evaluation of discontinuities in materials.
Although not all requirements of this guide can be applied universally to all inspections, situations, and materials, it does provide basis for establishing contractual criteria between the users, and may be used as a general guide for preparing detailed specifications for a particular application.
This guide is directed towards the evaluation of discontinuities detectable with the beam normal to the entry surface. If discontinuities or other orientations are of concern, alternate scanning techniques are required.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers procedures for the contact ultrasonic examination of bulk materials or parts by transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves into the material and observing the indications of reflected waves. This guide covers only examinations in which one search unit is used as both transmitter and receiver (pulse-echo). This guide includes general requirements and procedures that may be used for detecting discontinuities, locating depth and distance from a point of reference and for making a relative or approximate evaluation of the size of discontinuities as compared to a reference standard.
1.2 This guide complements Practice E 114 by providing more detailed procedures for the selection and calibration of the inspection system and for evaluation of the indications obtained.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to establish the appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
E114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam Examination by the Contact Method
E127 Practice for Fabricating and Checking Aluminum Alloy Ultrasonic Standard Reference Blocks
E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
E428 Practice for Fabrication and Control of Metal, Other than Aluminum, Reference Blocks Used in Ultrasonic Testing
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
E1158 Guide for Material Selection and Fabrication of Reference Blocks for the Pulsed Longitudinal Wave Ultrasonic Testing of Metal and Metal Alloy Production Material
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
ANSI/ASNT Standard
ANSI/ASNTCP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
Military Standard
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
Aerospace Industries Association Document
NAS-410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive Test Personnel
Index Terms
contact; evaluation; examination; procedure; pulse-echo; straight-beam; ultrasonic; Discontinuities--metals/alloys; Pulse-echo ultrasonic testing; Ultrasonic testing
ICS Code
DOI: 10.1520/E1901-08
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
[Back to Top]
