0767c-Prc-Ue-Str-0009 - Procedure For Ultrasonic Test - Rev.02
0767c-Prc-Ue-Str-0009 - Procedure For Ultrasonic Test - Rev.02
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PROCEDURE FOR ULTRASONIC TESTING
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ATI-GP-020-UT-ISO; REV: 02
Qualification ISO LEVEL III ISO LEVEL III ASNT / PCN Level III
Sign
RECORD OF REVISIONS
01 24/01/2025 Appendix B
Singlas report attached
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC
REVISION STATUS
1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
2.0 REFERENCES
1.0
3.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
2.0
4.0 REQUIREMENT TO EQUIPMENT
5.0 PROBES
1.1 This procedure specifies methods for the manual ultrasonic testing (UT) of fusion welded joints in
metallic materials both tubular and non-tubular connections equal to and above 8 mm thickness as per
EN ISO 17640 and EN ISO 11666.
1.2 It is primarily intended for use on full penetrations welds in C, C-Mn steels, alloy steels.
2. REFERENCES
2.1 SNT-TC-1A: 2016 ASNT recommended practice for qualification and certification of NDT personnel.
2.2 BS EN ISO 9712 [Ed. 2022] : Non-destructive testing – Qualification and Certification of NDT
personnel
2.3 ISO 17640:2019: Non-destructive testing of welds-Ultrasonic testing –Techniques, Testing
levels, and assessment.
2.4 BS EN ISO 11666:2018-Non Destructive testing of weld-Ultrasonic testing-Acceptance Level
2.5 BS EN ISO 23279:2017-Non Destructive testing of welds-Ultrasonic testing –Characterization of
indication in welds.
2.6 BS EN ISO 5817:2023 : Welding Fusion welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys
(beam welding excluded). Quality levels for imperfections.
1. UT – Ultrasonic Tesing
2. DAC – Distance Amplitude Correction Curve
3. SDH – Side Drilled Hole
4. FSH – Full Screen Height
5. NDE – Non Destructive Examination
6. Calibration - Correlation of the Ultrasonic System responses with calibration reflectors.
7. Sensitivity – Measure of the level of response from a discontinuity by a Non Destructive
examination
8. Defect – One or more flaws whose aggregate size, shape, orientation, location or properties do
not meet specified acceptance criteria and are reject able
9. Calibration Reflector – A reflector with a dimensioned surface which is used to provide an
accurately reproducible reference level.
3.1 Personnel performing the test shall be qualified and certified in accordance with ISO 9712 , TWI, ACCP
Level 2.
3.2 Certified and experienced Level II or Level III personnel shall perform the interpretation and evaluation
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TITLE ULTRASONIC TESTING PROCEDURE
DOC.
ATI-GP-020-UT-ISO INITIAL ISSUE 09.08.2024
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PAGE Page 5 of 33 REV. NO. 02 REV DATE 24/01/2025
3.3 Personnel performing ultrasonic testing of tubular node welds (i.e. tubular TKY connections) shall be
qualified as per PCN 3.8 & 3.9 or equivalent.
4 REQUIREMENT TO EQUIPMENT
Ultrasonic Apparatus
The apparatus is to:
— be applicable for the pulse-echo technique and for the double-probe technique
— cover a minimum frequency range from 1 to 6 MHz
— have a calibrated gain regulator with minimum 2 dB per step over a range of minimum 60 dB
— be equipped with a flat screen accessible from the front for direct plotting of Distance Amplitude
Curves (DAC)
or be equipped with digital DAC- display presentation
— be able to clearly distinguish echoes with amplitudes of 5% of full screen height.
— Each ultrasonic apparatus shall have a calibration certificate with reference to the apparatus serial
number. This
calibration of the apparatus shall be performed by a company approved by the apparatus manufacturer.
The calibration is valid for a maximum of one year.
—The ultrasonic apparatus serial number shall be included in the examination report.
— Instruments used will be KRAUTKRAMER USM-35, USM GO,UT Pod , Modsonic or equivalent.
5 Probes
➢ Probes used for testing of welds in C, C-Mn steels and alloy steels shall be straight beam transducers
and angle shear-wave transducers of 35° to 70°. When testing is carried out with transverse waves and
techniques that require the ultrasonic beam to be reflected from an opposite surface, care shall be taken
to ensure that the incident angle of the beam, with the opposite reflecting surface, is not less than 35°
and preferably not greater than 70°. Where more than one probe angle is used, at least one of the angle
probes used shall conform to this requirement. One of the probe angles used shall ensure that the weld
fusion faces are tested at, or as near as possible to, normal incidence. When the use of two or more probe
angles is specified, the difference between the nominal beam angles shall be 10° or greater.
➢ The element size of the probe shall be chosen according to the ultrasonic path to be used and the
frequency.The smaller the element, the smaller the length and width of the near field and larger the beam
spread in the far field at a given frequency.
➢ Small probes having 6 mm to 12 mm diameter elements are best suited for short beam path ranges. For
beam path ranges > 100 mm (for single crystal normal beam probes), an element size of 12 mm to 24
mm is preferred. For rectangular elements the following to be chosen:
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TITLE ULTRASONIC TESTING PROCEDURE
DOC.
ATI-GP-020-UT-ISO INITIAL ISSUE 09.08.2024
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8 to 30 8*9 4 Shear
25 to 80 14*14 2 Shear
6.1 The gap (g) between the test surface and the bottom of the probe shoe shall not be greater than 0.5 mm.
For cylindrical or spherical surfaces the requirement will normally be met when the following equation is
fulfilled:
𝑔 = 𝑎2 / D
Where:
D = the diameter in millimeters of the component
‘a = the dimension in millimeters of the probe shoe in the direction of scanning.
6.2 If this requirement cannot be obtained, the probe shoe shall be adapted to the surface and the sensitivity
and range shall be set accordingly.
6.3 Probes of Dia 8 mm and less along with the wedges can be used for lesser diameter pipes in order to meet
the requirements of curved surface.
➢ Satisfactory coupling medium, in either fluid or paste form, is to be used to transfer the ultrasound from
the probe to the surface of examination object.
➢ Oil, grease, glycerin or paste is well suited for this purpose.
➢ The coupling medium used for calibration shall also be used during testing. During retesting / verification
old glue to be removed before testing, if not otherwise qualified due to increased attenuation.
The IIW or ISO calibration blocks (A2 – A4), see Figure 1 shall be used for calibration of range scale and for
angle determination. These calibration blocks shall preferably have the same acoustic properties as the material
to be tested.
31-Jan-25
9.1 Reference blocks shall be made with thickness and side-drilled holes, as described in Table 2 and shown in
Figure 2, and shall be used for amplification (gain) calibration and construction of reference (DAC) curves.
9.2 The reference block shall normally be manufactured from the actual material tested and have
approved dimensions.
9.3 When ultrasonic testing is to be performed on steel produced by controlled rolling or thermo
mechanical treatment (TMCP steel), reference blocks shall be produced both perpendicular to,
and parallel to, the direction of rolling. The rolling direction shall be clearly identified, for more
detailed information see appendix A.
11.0 Calibration
➢ The calibration of range scale with straight beam probe is to be carried out with an IIW
calibration block, a A2 calibration block or on a defect free area of the material to be tested.
➢ The range scale is to be selected such that there are always at least 2 back-wall echoes
(reflections) on the screen.
➢ Figure 3 shows typical calibration in range 0-100 mm, 0-200 mm and 0-500 mm for straight
beam probes.
S = 2 T tan α
Where,
T = Thickness of object to be tested
α = probe angle.
11.3 Calibration of range scale for twin crystal straight beam probe
➢ Two thicknesses, preferably with thickness a little above and below the thickness to be tested
must be used to reduce the measuring error due to the angled crystals in this type of probe.
➢ The calibration of the range scale with twin crystal straight beam probe shall therefore be
carried out with a step calibration block, see sketch below or the 25 mm thickness on the K1
in combination with the 12.5 mm thickness on the K2 calibration blocks.
➢ Only the first back wall echo shall be used when calibrating the range scale with twin crystal
normal probe.
Probe index
Fig. a
Figure 4: Fig a, b and c show determination of probe index and calibration of range with
angle probe
➢ Calibration of the amplification shall include the whole of the ultrasonic system, which are
the ultrasonic apparatus, probes, cables and coupling medium.
➢ In order to compensate for attenuation and sound beam spread with increasing sound path a
DAC-curve, which gives the echo height from the same reflector at varying distance between
probe and reflector, is to be constructed.
➢ DAC is to be constructed using reference blocks with side-drilled holes as described in 5.4
➢ The reference blocks shall preferably have the same acoustic properties as the material to be
tested. If this is not obtained correction for deviation in sound velocity between the calibration
block and the object to be tested must be made. Any deviation can be checked by calibrating
the range scale on the IIW block with a normal probe and subsequently measure a known
material thickness with this calibration.
➢ Whenever ultrasonic testing is performed of welds in TMCP steel the following must be
verified:
i) Difference in attenuation between transverse and longitudinal rolling direction is to be
checked when the scanning changes from transverse to longitudinal of rolling direction or
inverse.
ii) This requires DAC-curves constructed by use of calibration blocks in both transverse and
longitudinal rolling direction. Difference in gain setting must be noted and taken into
consideration when evaluation of imperfections is performed.
iii) The nominal angle of probes used are normally valid for C, C-Mn steels and alloy steel with
compression wave velocity of approximately 5900 m/s and shear wave velocity of
approximately 3200 m/s.
iv) When examination is to be carried out of welds in TMCP steel and aluminium the actual beam
angle must be determined. The angle can be calculated using trigonometric functions as long
as the distance and depth to the reflectors in the TMCP steel or aluminium calibration block
is known. See more information regarding TMCP in Appendix A.
A. Angle probes:
➢ The echo reflected from the drilled hole in the reference block, see 5.4, is maximized and the
gain control regulated so that the echo amplitude is 75% of full screen height (FSH).
➢ This gain setting is called the primary gain and is to be noted. Without altering the primary
gain, the probe is positioned in various skip distances as indicated on Figure 2 and the
respective echo amplitudes are marked on the screen.
➢ These points are connected with a smooth line with a length, which covers the required
scanning area. This is the reference curve (DAC).
➢ The first point of DAC must be selected so that the distance in sound path from the probe
index to the drilled hole is not less than 0.6 N where N is the near field length of the relevant
probe.
➢ When DAC has been set up it is recommended to draw two additional curves, 33% and 50%
of DAC, on the screen. Where DAC by excessive sound paths falls to below 25% of FSH the
gain in this area is to be increased and a new DAC must be established, see Figure 6.
➢ If the ultrasonic apparatus is fitted with a time corrected gain (TCG) correction, this can be
used for angle and straight beam probes. The echo amplitude reflected from the drilled hole
in the calibration can be adjusted to 75% of full screen height over the whole of the range in
question. DAC will thus be a horizontal line. The gain setting is noted and comprises the
primary gain.
B D
A
Full screen
Height-100 % 1 . Back wall echo
Reference curve
dB
0 T¼ T½ T¾ T 2T
Test object
31-Jan-25
TRANSMITTER RECEIVER
Calibration
Block
➢ Scanning surfaces shall be wide enough to permit the testing volume to be fully covered.
Alternatively, the width of the scanning surfaces may be smaller if equivalent coverage of
the testing volume can be achieved by scanning from both the upper and the lower surface
of the joint. Scanning surfaces shall be even and free from foreign matter likely to interfere
with probe coupling (e.g. rust, loose scale, weld spatter, notches, grooves).
➢ Waviness of the test surface shall not result in a gap between the probe and test surfaces
greater than 0,5 mm. These requirements shall be ensured by dressing if necessary. Local
variations in surface contour, e.g. along the edge of the weld, which result in a gap beneath
the probe of up to 1 mm, can only be permitted if at least one additional probe angle is
employed from the affected side at the weld.
➢ This additional scanning is necessary to compensate for the reduced weld coverage that will
occur with a gap of this dimension. Scanning surfaces and surfaces from which the sound
beam is reflected shall allow undisturbed coupling and reflection.
➢ The testing volume is defined as the zone which includes weld and parent material for at
least 10 mm on each side of the weld, or the width of the heat affected zone (HAZ),
whichever is greater.
➢ The parent metal, in the scanning zone for angle probes, shall be tested with straight beam
(normal) probes. The scanning zone is defined as 1.5 × full skip distance (S).
➢ Scanning of parent material is performed in order to reveal laminations, imperfections, large
variations in attenuation or thickness variation, which might influence the angle beam
testing.
➢ Where configuration or adjacent parts of the object are such that scanning from both sides is
not possible this fact shall be included in the report.
➢ The welds shall whenever feasible be tested from both sides on the same surface and include
scanning for both transverse and longitudinal indications. For T-joints and plate thickness
above 40 mm, scanning from both surfaces and all accessible sides shall be performed.
➢ Use of multiple angle probes scanning in addition to normal probe scanning is required.
➢ Evaluation of defects is primarily to be based on echo amplitude reflected from the revealed
indications.
➢ The indications shall be investigated by maximizing the echoes with different angle probes
and by rotating the probes. For evaluation of defects the evaluation level as stated in the
acceptance criteria shall be used.
➢ Choice of angle probes is depending on material thickness, weld bevel and type of defect being
sought.
➢ A favorable probe angle when the weld connection is being tested for lack of fusion in the
transition between weld and parent material is the angle which gives incident sound normal to
the angle of the weld bevel. The optimal angle for a V-groove is given by the groove geometry
and can be calculated as shown in Figure 9.
➢ If the calculated angle does not comply with any standard probe angle, the nearest larger probe
angle shall be selected.
➢ When use of two or more angle probe is specified, the difference between the nominal beam
angles shall be 10ᵒ or greater.
➢ The gain which is to be used in the evaluation of the imperfection is the primary gain.
➢ When scanning, the gain is to be the corrected primary gain plus 6 dB in order to increase the
sensitivity to defects with a difficult orientation. The gain must then be reduced to the
corrected primary dB level when defect evaluation is carried out. The evaluation level stated
in the acceptance criteria shall be used.
➢ For evaluation of defects, the evaluation curve shall be used.
➢ The length of the imperfection is to be evaluated by maximizing the echo amplitude in the
middle of the defect. Subsequently, the probe is traversed towards the edge of the imperfection
until the echo amplitude has dropped to the evaluation level . The center of the probe is then
marked off as the edge of the imperfection, see Figure 10
Crack in weld
Position A M
W
M
W
Position B
B7 B7
0°- 0°-
4 4 Echo below evaluation
level
- Where possible the welds are to be tested from one surface of the plate and from both
sides of the weld connection. The angle probe is placed on the parent material in such
a way that the sound beam is normal to the weld. The probe is to be moved forwards
and backwards in the scanning area of 1.5 × S.
- During this movement the probe is to be continuously turned 5 to 10° in the horizontal
plane, as intimated on Figure 11. For plate thickness greater than 40 mm it shall be
tested from all accessible side and surfaces (4) of the weld.
- The double probe (tandem) technique can be used for the detection of imperfections
with the reflection normal to the surface, see Figure 12. Two separate angle probes
are used, and the most favorable sound beam angle, which covers the area in question,
is selected. For this type of testing it is recommended to make a holder for the probes,
so that the distance A between the probes is kept constant. The probe combination is
moved along the weld connection in the distance B from the centerline.
forms a small angle with the centerline, see Figure 6-13a. Another method using two
separate probes is shown in the same figure (double probe technique).
- If using an angle probe along the centerline of the weld is judged to be the only method
of reliable examination, the weld cap is to be ground flush or smooth with the parent
material, see Figure -13b. The probe is then moved along the centerline, so that the
entire weld is covered.
- Scanning is in all cases to be performed from both sides of the weld and in both
directions.
Use of straight beam probes for detection of weld imperfections
- Weld imperfections with a reflection surface parallel to the scanning surface can be
detected with a normal probe. The probe is placed on the weld and moved along and
across the weld connection so that the whole joint is examined. The weld should
preferably be ground flush.
Examination of T-joints with 1/2V or K-groove is carried out as for butt welds. The
scanning area for the probes is shown in Figure-14.
Figure 11: Probe movement for testing of butt welds – for X-groove and V-groove
Fig. a
Fig. b
Fig. c
Figure 13: Fig. a and b show detection of transverse defects; Fig. c shows detection of
transverse
defects in T-joints
Figure 14: Inspection of T-or corner joints (Single-bevel or double-bevel groove welds)
13.1 Imperfections, from which the reflected echo response is greater than evaluation level shall be
investigated to the extent that the operator can determine the shape, identity and location of all such
imperfections and evaluate them in terms of the acceptance criteria.
13.2 The length of the imperfection shall be determined by measuring the distance along the length over
which the echo amplitude exceeds the evaluation level. Final evaluation against the acceptance criteria
shall be based on the echo amplitude, length measured with the probe angle giving the maximum response
and type of imperfection.
13.3 All defects exceeding recording level shall be reported.
13.4 Indication shall be characterized according to ISO 23279.
14 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
14.1For special welds, EN ISO 5817 Quality Level B correspond to EN ISO 11666 acceptance level 2
shall be applied.
13.1.1. All weld shall show evidence of good workmanship. For visual testing and NDT, the acceptance
criteria for all structural welds, comply with testing level A, as per EN ISO 17640
14.2 The quality of structure welds shall comply with EN ISO 5817 Quality level C corresponds to EN
ISO 11666 Acceptance Level 3 for primary and secondary structural welds.
14.3 All imperfections from which the reflected echo amplitude exceeds the evaluation level shall be
characterised, and all that are characterised as planar e.g. cracks, lack of fusion, incomplete
penetration shall be rejected.
Table 4 Acceptance criteria for Ultrasonic Testing
Acceptance Level 3 (AL
Technique Evaluation Level Acceptance Level 2 (AL 2)
3)
(BS EN
10 mm ≤ t < 15 mm ≤ t < 10 mm ≤ t < 15 mm ≤ t <
ISO 17640) for AL2 for AL3
15 mm 100 mm 15 mm 100 mm
For l ≤ 0.5 t : For l ≤ 0.5 t :
H0 H0 + 4 dB
1 For l ≤ t : For l ≤ t :
H0 – 4 dB For 0.5 t < l ≤ H0 For 0.5 t < l
(side- H0 – 14 H0 – 10
t: ≤t:
drilled dB dB For l > t : For l > t :
H0 – 6 dB H0 – 2 dB
holes) H0 – 10 dB H0 – 6 dB
For l > t : For l > t :
H0 – 10 dB H0 – 6 dB
1) Recording levels are 4 dB below the corresponding acceptance levels.
2) H0 is the reference level.
3) l is the indication length.
4) t is the thickness.
14.4 Defect exceeding the limits shall be repaired and after repair welding has been performed, the repaired
area plus
100 mm on both sides shall be re-inspected.
15 REPORTING
15.1 All UT reports shall be properly documented in such a way that the performed testing can be easily
retraced at a later stage. The reports shall identify the unacceptable defects present in the tested area,
and a conclusive statement as to whether the weld satisfies the acceptance criteria or not.
15.2 The UT report shall include a reference to the applicable standard, NDT procedure and acceptance
criteria.In addition, as a minimum, the following information shall be given:
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TITLE ULTRASONIC TESTING PROCEDURE
DOC.
ATI-GP-020-UT-ISO INITIAL ISSUE 09.08.2024
NO.
PAGE Page 29 of 33 REV. NO. 02 REV DATE 24/01/2025
Appendix: A
The configuration of the root area shall be judged by measuring the horizontal distances (a) as shown in the
figures below:
a2
a1
a1 a2
a1 a2