ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.

V-2019

T-433 COUPLANT T-434.1.4 Cladding.

T-433.1 General. The couplant, including additives, (a) Block Selection. The material from which the block
shall not be detrimental to the material being examined. is fabricated shall be from one of the following:
(1) nozzle dropout from the component
T-433.2 Control of Contaminants. (2) a component prolongation
(a) Couplants used on nickel base alloys shall not con-
(3) material of the same material specification, pro-
tain more than 250 ppm of sulfur.
duct form, and heat treatment condition as the material
(b) Couplants used on austenitic stainless steel or tita- to which the search unit is applied during the
nium shall not contain more than 250 ppm of halides examination
(chlorides plus fluorides).
(b) Clad. Where the component material is clad and the
cladding is a factor during examination, the block shall be
T-434 CALIBRATION BLOCKS clad to the component clad nominal thickness ± 1/8 in.
T-434.1 General. (3 mm). Deposition of clad shall be by the same method
T-434.1.1 Reflectors. Specified reflectors (i.e., (i.e., roll-bonded, manual weld deposited, automatic wire
side-drilled holes, flat bottom holes, notches, etc.) shall deposited, or automatic strip deposited) as used to clad
be used to establish primary reference responses of the the component to be examined. When the cladding meth-
equipment. An alternative reflector(s) may be used pro- od is not known or the method of cladding used on the
vided that the alternative reflector(s) produces a sensitiv- component is impractical for block cladding, deposition
ity equal to or greater than the specified reflector(s) (e.g., of clad may be by the manual method.
side-drilled holes in lieu of notches, flat bottom holes in When the parent materials on opposite sides of a weld
lieu of side-drilled holes). are clad by either different P-, A-, or F-numbers or mate-
T-434.1.2 Material. rial designations or methods, the calibration block shall
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(a) Similar Metal Welds. The material from which the be clad with the same P-, A-, or F-numbers or material
block is fabricated shall be of the same product form designations using the same method used on the side of
and material specification or equivalent P-Number group- the weld from which the examination will be conducted.
ing as one of the materials being examined. For the pur- When the examination is conducted from both sides of
poses of this paragraph, P-Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5A through 5C, the weld, the calibration block shall provide for calibra-
and 15A through 15F materials are considered tion for both materials and methods of cladding. For
equivalent. welds clad with a different material or method than the
(b) Dissimilar Metal Welds. The material selection shall adjoining parent materials, and it is a factor during the ex-
be based on the material on the side of the weld from amination, the calibration block shall be designed to be
which the examination will be conducted. If the examina- representative of this combination.
tion will be conducted from both sides, calibration reflec- T-434.1.5 Heat Treatment. The calibration block
tors shall be provided in both materials. shall receive at least the minimum tempering treatment
(c) Transfer Correction. When the block material is not required by the material specification for the type and
of the same product form or has not received the same grade. If the calibration block contains welds other than
heat treatment, it may be used provided it meets all other cladding, and the component weld at the time of the ex-
block requirements and a transfer correction for acousti- amination has been heat treated, the block shall receive
cal property differences is used. Transfer correction shall the same heat treatment.
be determined by noting the difference between the sig-
nal response, using the same transducers and wedges to T-434.1.6 Surface Finish. The finish on the scan-
be used in the examination, received from either ning surfaces of the block shall be representative of the
scanning surface finishes on the component to be
(1) the corresponding reference reflector (same type
examined.
and dimensions) in the basic calibration block and in the
component to be examined, or T-434.1.7 Block Curvature.
(2) two search units positioned in the same orienta- T-434.1.7.1 Materials With Diameters Greater
tion on the basic calibration block and component to be Than 20 in. (500 mm). For examinations in materials
examined. where the examination surface diameter is greater than
The examination sensitivity shall be adjusted for the 20 in. (500 mm), a block of essentially the same curva-
difference. ture, or alternatively, a flat basic calibration block, may
be used.
T-434.1.3 Quality. Prior to fabrication, the block
material shall be completely examined with a straight T-434.1.7.2 Materials With Diameters 20 in.
beam search unit. Areas that contain an indication ex- (500 mm) and Less. For examinations in materials where
ceeding the remaining back-wall reflection shall be ex- the examination surface diameter is equal to or less than
cluded from the beam paths required to reach the 20 in. (500 mm), a curved block shall be used. Except
various calibration reflectors. where otherwise stated in this Article, a single curved

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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 4

basic calibration block may be used for examinations in T-434.2 Non-Piping Calibration Blocks.
the range of curvature from 0.9 to 1.5 times the basic ca- T-434.2.1 Basic Calibration Block. The basic cali-
libration block diameter. For example, an 8 in. (200 mm) bration block configuration and reflectors shall be as
diameter block may be used to calibrate for examinations shown in Figure T-434.2.1. The block size and reflector lo-
on surfaces in the range of curvature from 7.2 in. to 12 in. cations shall be adequate to perform calibrations for the
(180 mm to 300 mm) in diameter. The curvature range beam angle(s) and distance range(s) to be used.
from 0.94 in. to 20 in. (24 mm to 500 mm) in diameter re- T-434.2.2 Block Thickness. The block thickness
quires six curved blocks as shown in Figure T-434.1.7.2 (T) shall be per Figure T-434.2.1.
for any thickness range.
T-434.2.3 Alternate Block. Alternatively, the
T-434.1.7.3 Alternative for Convex Surface. As block may be constructed as shown in Nonmandatory
an alternative to the requirements in T-434.1.7.1 when Appendix J, Figure J-431.
examining from the convex surface by the straight beam
contact technique, Nonmandatory Appendix G may be
used.

Figure T-434.1.7.2
Ratio Limits for Curved Surfaces

0.93 (23) 1.56 (39)

2.69 (67)
4.32 (108) 7.2 (180) 12 (300) 20 (500)
20 (500)

k
oc
bl
n
t io

15 (375)
ra
Basic Calibration Block Examination Surface

lib
ca

13.33 (333)
it
m
Li
9
0.
Diameter, in. (mm)

it
c
si

im
Ba

L
1.5
10 (250)
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8 (200)

5 (125)
4.8 (120)

2.88 (72)

1.73 (43)
1.04 (26)

0
0 5 (125) 10 (250) 15 (375) 20 (500)

Examination Surface Diameter, in. (mm)

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 ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.V-2019

Figure T-434.2.1
Nonpiping Calibration Blocks

3 T [Note (1)]

1/ T
2
[Note (1)]
D [Note (1)]
1/ T
4
6 in. [Note (1)] (150 mm) 1/ T
2 3/ T
[Note (1)] 4

CT

1/ T
2

T 1/ T
1/ T 1/ T 2
2 2
[Note (1)] [Note (1)]
Minimum dimensions
D [Note (1)] D = 1/2 in. (13 mm)
Width = 6 in. (150 mm)
Length = 3 x Thickness
Cladding (if present)

Notch Dimensions, in. (mm)

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Notch depth = 1.6% T to 2.2% T
Notch width = 1/4 (6) max.
Notch length = 1 (25) min.
Calibration Block Thickness (T), Hole Diameter, in.
Weld Thickness (t), in. (mm) in. (mm) (mm)
3 3
Up to 1 (25) /4 (19) or t /32 (2.5)
Over 1 (25) through 2 (50) 11/2 (38) or t 1
/8 (3)
3
Over 2 (50) through 4 (100) 3 (75) or t /16 (5)
Over 4 (100) t ±1 (25) [Note (2)]

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) Holes shall be drilled and reamed 1.5 in. (38 mm) deep minimum, essentially parallel to the examination surface.
(b) For components equal to or less than 20 in. (500 mm) in diameter, calibration block diameter shall meet the requirements
of T-434.1.7.2. Two sets of calibration reflectors (holes, notches) oriented 90 deg from each other shall be used. Alterna-
tively, two curved calibration blocks may be used.
(c) The tolerance for hole diameter shall be ±1/32 in. (0.8 mm). The tolerance for hole location through the calibration block
thickness (i.e., distance from the examination surface) shall be ±1/8 in. (3 mm).
(d) For blocks less than 3/4 in. (19 mm) in thickness, only the 1/2T side-drilled hole and surface notches are required.
(e) All holes may be located on the same face (side) of the calibration block, provided care is exercised to locate all the reflectors
(holes, notches) to prevent one reflector from affecting the indication from another reflector during calibration. Notches
may also be in the same plane as the inline holes (see Nonmandatory Appendix J, Figure J-431). As in Figure J-431, a suffi-
cient number of holes shall be provided for both angle and straight beam calibrations at the 1/4T, 1/2T, and 3/4T depths.
(f) When cladding is present, notch depth on the cladding side of the block shall be increased by the cladding thickness, CT (i.e.,
1.6% T + CT minimum to 2.2% T + CT maximum).
(g) Maximum notch width is not critical. Notches may be made by EDM or with end mills up to 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) in diameter.
(h) Weld thickness, t, is the nominal material thickness for welds without reinforcement or, for welds with reinforcement, the
nominal material thickness plus the estimated weld reinforcement not to exceed the maximum permitted by the referencing
Code Section. When two or more base material thicknesses are involved, the calibration block thickness, T, shall be deter-
mined by the average thickness of the weld; alternatively, a calibration block based on the greater base material thickness
may be used provided the reference reflector size is based upon the average weld thickness.
NOTES:
(1) Minimum dimension.
(2) For each increase in weld thickness of 2 in. (50 mm) or fraction thereof over 4 in. (100 mm), the hole diameter shall increase
1
/16 in. (1.5 mm).

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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 4

T-434.3 Piping Calibration Blocks. The basic cali- T-434.4.2 Alternate Calibration Blocks for Tech-
bration block configuration and reflectors shall be as nique One. Alternately, calibration blocks as shown in
shown in Figure T-434.3-1 or the alternate provided in Figure T-434.4.2.1 or Figure T-434.4.2.2 may be used.
Figure T-434.3-2 where curvature and/or wall thickness The thickness of the weld metal overlay cladding shall
permits. The basic calibration block curvature shall be be at least as thick as that to be examined. The thickness
in accordance with T-434.1.7. Thickness, T , shall be of the base material shall be at least twice the thickness of
±25% of the nominal thickness of the component to be ex- the weld metal overlay cladding.
amined. The block size and reflector locations shall be T-434.4.3 Calibration Block for Technique Two.
adequate to perform calibrations for the beam angle(s) The basic calibration block configuration and reflectors
and distance range(s) to be used. shall be as shown in Figure T-434.4.3. A flat bottom hole
drilled to the weld/base metal interface shall be used.
T-434.4 Weld Metal Overlay Cladding Calibration
This hole may be drilled from the base material or weld
Blocks.9
metal overlay cladding side. The thickness of the weld
T-434.4.1 Calibration Blocks for Technique One. metal overlay cladding shall be at least as thick as that
The basic calibration block configuration and reflectors to be examined. The thickness of the base metal shall be
shall be as shown in Figure T-434.4.1. Either a side-drilled within 1 in. (25 mm) of the calibration block thickness
hole or flat bottom hole may be used. The thickness of the when the examination is performed from the base mate-
weld metal overlay cladding shall be at least as thick as rial surface. The thickness of the base material on the
that to be examined. The thickness of the base material
shall be at least twice the thickness of the weld metal
overlay cladding.

Figure T-434.3-1
Calibration Block for Piping

L Nominal wall
thickness (T)
CT

Arc length

Note
(1)
Note Note (1)
(1)

Note
(1)

Cladding (if present)

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) The minimum calibration block length, L, shall be 8 in. (200 mm) or 8T, whichever is greater.
(b) For O.D. 4 in. (100 mm) or less, the minimum arc length shall be 75% of the circumference. For O.D. greater than 4 in. (100 mm), the
minimum arc length shall be 8 in. (200 mm) or 3T, whichever is greater.
(c) Notch depths shall be from 8% T minimum to 11% T maximum. When cladding is present, notch depths on the cladding side of the block
shall be increased by the cladding thickness, CT (i.e., 8% T + CT minimum to 11% T + CT maximum). Notch widths shall be 1/4 in. (6 mm)
maximum. Notch lengths shall be 1 in. (25 mm) minimum.
(d) Maximum notch width is not critical. Notches may be made with EDM or with end mills up to 1/4 in. (6 mm) in diameter.
(e) Notch lengths shall be sufficient to provide for calibration with a minimum 3 to 1 signal-to-noise ratio.
(f) Two blocks shall be used when a weld joining two different thicknesses of material is examined and a single block does not satisfy the
requirements of T-434.3.
(g) When a flat block is used as permitted by T-434.1.7.1, the two axial notches may be omitted and the block width may be reduced to 4 in.
(100 mm), provided the I.D. and O.D. notches are placed on opposite examination surfaces of the block. When cladding is not present, only
one notch is required provided each examination surface is accessible during calibrations.
NOTE:
(1) Notches shall be located not closer than 1/2T or 1/2 in. (13 mm), whichever is greater, to any block edge or to other notches.
--`,``,``,,`,`,,````,`,``,,,`-`-`,

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 ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.V-2019

ð19Þ Figure T-434.3-2

Alternate Calibration Block for Piping

½T axial hole Circumferential notch

¾T tangential hole [Note (2)] ¼T tangential hole [Note (2)]

1.5 in. (38 mm) min.

Length [Note (1)]

Axial notch
1.0 in. (25 mm) or T

1.0 in. (25 mm) min.

1.5 in. (38 mm) min.

½T tangential hole [Note (2)]

¼T axial hole ¾T axial hole

¼T ¾T
¾T ¼T
½T
0.75 in. (19 mm)
Arc [Note (1)] 0.75 in. (19 mm)

T Cladding (if present)

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) For blocks less than 3/4 in. (19 mm) in thickness, only the 1/2T side drilled hole is required..
(b) Inclusion of notches is optional. Notches as shown in Figure T-434.3-1 may be utilized in conjunction with this calibration block.
(c) Notch depths shall be from 8% T minimum to 11% T maximum. Notch widths shall be 1/4 in. (6 mm) maximum. Notch lengths shall be
1 in. (25 mm) minimum.
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(d) Notches may be made with EDM or with end mills up to 1/4 in. (6 mm) in diameter.
(e) Notch lengths shall be sufficient to provide for calibration with a minimum 3 to 1 signal-to-noise ratio.
(f) Notches shall be located not closer than T or 11/2 in. (38 mm), whichever is greater, to any block edge or to other notches.
NOTES:
(1) Length and arc shall be adequate to provide required angle beam calibration.
(2) Side-drilled hole diameter, length, and tolerance shall be in accordance with T-434.2.1, as permitted by T-464.1.3. Tangential side-drilled
holes at 1/4T , 1/2T , and 3/4T positions or locations are to have the depth confirmed at one-half of their length. The radius of the side-drilled
hole shall be added to the measured depth to ensure the correct depth. Where thickness does not permit, the required depth of the side-
drilled hole and the location of the tangential position shall be indicated on the block surface.

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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 4

Figure T-434.4.1
Calibration Block for Technique One

Axis of weld beads

11/2 in. (38 mm)

min. depth

1/
16 in. (1.5 mm)
side-drilled hole's Weld metal
reflecting surface overlay cladding
at weld/base metal
interface. tolerance =
1/ in. (0.4 mm)
64

1/ in. (3 mm) flat-bottom hole

8
drilled to weld/base metal interface.
tolerance =
1/ in. (0.4 mm)
64
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calibration block shall be at least twice the thickness of (c) Curvature. For examinations of nozzles with an in-
the weld metal overlay cladding when the examination side diameter (I.D.) equal to or less than 20 in.
is performed from the weld metal overlay cladding (500 mm), the contact surface of the calibration block
surface. shall have the same curvature or be within the range of
T-434.5 Nozzle Side Weld Fusion Zone and/or Adja- 0.9 to 1.5 times the diameter as detailed in Figure
cent Nozzle Parent Metal Calibration Blocks. T-434.1.7.2.
T-434.5.1 Calibration Block. (d) Calibration Reflectors. The calibration reflectors
(a) Configuration. The calibration block configuration shall be side-drilled hole(s) that are in accordance with
shall be as shown in Figure T-434.5.1. The block size the requirements of Figure T-434.2.1 for the nozzle wall
and reflector locations shall be adequate to perform cali- thickness.
brations to cover the nozzle side weld fusion zone and/or (e) Alternative Blocks. Alternative calibration blocks
the adjacent nozzle parent metal. If the internal surface of may be used for similar types of examinations provided
the nozzle is clad before the examination, the ID surface of the sound path distance(s) to the block’s reflector(s) is
the calibration block shall be clad. (are) within 1/4 in. (6 mm) of what is required and the side
(b) Block Thickness. The calibration block shall be the drilled hole(s) is (are) the same or a smaller diameter
maximum thickness of the nozzle wall adjacent to the than what is required.
nozzle weld plus 3/4 in. (19 mm).

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 ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.V-2019

Figure T-434.4.2.1
Alternate Calibration Block for Technique One

Axis of weld beads

2 in.
(50 mm)

3/ CT 1/ CT 1/ CT
4 2 4

CT Weld metal
overlay cladding

2 CT
(min)

1 in. (typ) 1 in. (typ)

[25 mm (typ)] [25 mm (typ)]

GENERAL NOTE: All flat-bottom holes are 1/8 in. (3 mm) diameter. Tolerances for hole diameter and depth with respect to the weld metal
overlay cladding side of the block are ±1/64 in. (0.4 mm).

92
--`,``,``,,`

      
         
       
 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 4

Figure T-434.4.2.2
Alternate Calibration Block for Technique One

Axis of weld beads

2 in.
(50 mm)

1 in. (typ) 1 in. (typ)

[25 mm (typ)] [25 mm (typ)]
3/ CT 1/ CT 1/ CT
4 2 4

CT Weld metal
overlay cladding

2 CT
(min)

GENERAL NOTE: All side-drilled holes are 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) diameter. Tolerances for hole diameter and depth with respect to the weld metal
overlay cladding side of the block are ±1/64 in. (0.4 mm). All holes drilled to a minimum depth of 1.5 in. (38 mm).

Figure T-434.4.3
Calibration Block for Technique Two

1 in. (25 mm) minimum (typ.)

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Weld metal
overlay cladding

3/ in. (10 mm) diameter flat-bottom

8
hole machined to weld/base metal
interface, tolerance = ±1/64 in. (0.4 mm)

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 ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.V-2019

Figure T-434.5.1
Calibration Block for Straight Beam Examination of Nozzle Side Weld Fusion Zone and/or Adjacent
Nozzle Parent Metal

3/4 in.
(OD - ID) (19 mm)
=T
2 minimum

3/4 in.
(19 mm)
minimum

1 in.
(25 mm)
minimum

3/4 in.
(19 mm)
minimum
Clad
thickness
(OD - ID)
(if present)
4

R
1-1/2 in. (38 mm) [H]

Flat block surface

for diameters ≥
20 in. (500 mm)
ID Nozzle OD

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) The thickness, T , of the calibration block (O.D. – I.D.)/2 shall be selected for the maximum nozzle wall thickness under the nozzle attach-
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ment weld.
(b) Side-drilled holes shall be drilled and reamed the full height, H , of the block.
(c) The diameter of the side-drilled holes shall be selected for the maximum nozzle wall thickness per (a) above and Figure T-434.2.1.
(d) For nozzle side examinations, when the wall thickness of the calibration block exceeds 2 in. (50 mm), additional side-drilled holes shall be
placed in the block as required in the table below.
Hole Location, Hole Location, Hole Location,
5 3 7
Calibration Block Wall Thickness, in. (mm) /8T /4T /8T
> 2 (50) through 3 (75) … X …
> 3 (75) X X X

94