Designation: E 426 98 An American National Standard

Standard Practice for

Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Examination of Seamless
and Welded Tubular Products, Austenitic Stainless Steel
and Similar Alloys
1
This standard is issued under the xed designation E 426; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This specication has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice
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covers procedures that may be followed
for eddy-current examination of seamless and welded tubular
products made of stainless steel and similar alloys such as
nickel alloys. Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steels,
which are generally considered to be nonmagnetic, are speci-
cally covered as distinguished from the martensitic and ferritic
straight chromium stainless steels which are magnetic.
1.2 This practice is intended as a guide for eddy-current
examination both seamless and welded tubular products using
either an encircling coil or a probe-coil technique. Coils and
probes are available that can be used inside the tubular product;
however, their use is not specically covered in this document.
This type of examination is usually employed only to examine
tubing which has been installed such as in a heat exchanger.
1.3 This practice covers the examination of tubular products
ranging in diameter from 0.125 to 5 in. (3.2 to 127.0 mm) and
wall thicknesses from 0.005 to 0.250 in. (0.127 to 6.4 mm).
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 543 Practice for Agencies Performain Nondestructive
Testing
3
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Testing
3
2.2 Other Documents:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Quali-
cation and Certication in Nondestructive Testing
4
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualication and
Certication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
4
MIl-STD-410E Nondestructive Testing Personnel Quali-
cation and Certication
5
NAS-410 NAS Certication and Qualication of Nonde-
structive Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)
6
3. Terminology
3.1 Standard terminology relating to electromagnetic ex-
amination may be found in Terminology E 1316, Section C,
Electromagnetic Testing.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The test is conducted using one of two general tech-
niques shown in Fig. 1. One of these techniques employs one
or more exciter and sensor coils which encircle the pipe or tube
and through which the tubular product to be inspected is
passed. Some circuit congurations employ separate exciter
and sensor coils; whereas other congurations employ one or
more coils that concurrently function as both exciters and
sensors. Alternating current passes through the exciting coil
which by reason of its proximity induces current in the tubular
product. The sensor coil detects the resultant electromagnetic
ux related to these currents. The presence of discontinuities in
the tubular product will affect the normal ow of currents and
this change is detected by the sensor. The encircling coil
technique is capable of inspecting the entire 360-deg expanse
of the tubular product.
4.2 Another technique employs a probe coil with one or
more exciters and sensors which is brought in close proximity
of the surface of the tubular product to be examined. Since the
probe is generally small and does not encircle the article being
examined, it examines only a limited area in the vicinity of the
probe. If it is desired to examine the entire volume of the
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on
Electromagnetic Methods.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1998. Published February 1999. Originally
published as E 426 71. Last previous edition E 426 92.
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice
SE-426 in Section II of that Code.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
4
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 432280518.
5
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D,
700 Robbins Ave., Phila., PA 191115904, Attn: NPODS.
6
Available from Aerspace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250 Eye
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
1
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
tubular product, it is common practice to either rotate the
tubular product or the probe. In the case of welded tubular
products frequently only the weld is examined by scanning
along the weld zone.
5. Signicance and Use
5.1 Eddy-current testing is a nondestructive method of
locating discontinuities in a product. Changes in electromag-
netic response caused by the presence of discontinuities are
detected by the sensor, amplied and modied in order to
actuate audio or visual indicating devices, or both, or a
mechanical marker. Signals can be caused by outer surface,
inner surface, or subsurface discontinuities. The eddy-current
test is sensitive to many factors that occur as a result of
processing (such as variations in conductivity, chemical com-
position, permeability, and geometry) as well as other test
factors not related to the tubing. Thus, all received indications
are not necessarily indicative of defective tubing.
6. Basis of Application
6.1 If specied in the contractual agreement, personnel
performing examinations to this practice shall be qualied in
accordance with a nationally recognized NDT personnel quali-
cation practice or standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189,
SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410E, NAS-410, ASNT-ACCP, or a
similar document and certied by the certifying agency, as
applicable. The practice or standard used and its applicable
revision shall be identied in the contractual agreement be-
tween the using parties.
NOTE 1MIL-STD-410 is canceled and has been replaced with NAS-
410, however, it may be used with agreement between contracting parties.
6.2 If specied in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies
shall be qualied and evaluated in accordance with Practice
E 543. The applicable edition of Practice E 543 shall be
specied in the contractual agreement.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Electronic ApparatusThe electronic apparatus shall
be capable of energizing the test coils or probes with alternat-
ing currents of suitable frequencies and shall be capable of
sensing the changes in the electromagnetic response of the
sensors. Equipment may include a detector, phase discrimina-
tor, lter circuits, modulation circuits, magnetic-saturation
devices, recorders, and signaling devices as required for the
particular application.
7.2 Test CoilsTest coils shall be capable of inducing
current in the tube and sensing changes in the electrical
characteristics of the tube.
NOTE 2Fill factor effect is an important consideration since coupling
variations can affect the test signicantly.
7.3 Probe CoilsProbe coils shall be capable of inducing
current in the tube and sensing changes in the electrical
characteristics of the tube (Note 3). Probes generally consist of
an exciting coil and sensing coil or Hall element mounted in a
common holder. A Hall element is a semiconductor that by
reason of the Hall effect is capable of responding in a manner
directly proportional to magnetic-ux density. However, when
used with an exciting coil, it should be remembered that
eddy-current ow is inuenced by the excitation frequency.
NOTE 3Lift-off effect is an important consideration since coupling
variations can affect the test signicantly.
7.4 Driving MechanismA mechanical device capable of
passing the tube through the test coil or past the probe. It shall
operate at a uniform speed with minimum vibration of coil,
probe, or tube and maintain the article being examined in
proper register or concentricity with the probe or test coil.
Where required, the mechanism shall be capable of uniformly
rotating the tube or probe.
7.5 Reference StandardThe standard used to adjust the
sensitivity setting of the apparatus shall be sound and of the
same nominal alloy, temper, and nominal dimensions as the lot
of tubes or pipes to be tested on a production basis. It shall be
of sufficient length to permit the required spacing of the
articial discontinuities (at least 4 ft, and preferably longer).
Articial discontinuities made in the tube or pipe shall be
centered as nearly as possible on one inside or outside diameter
surface of the tube and shall preferably be of one of the
following types:
7.5.1 HolesHoles that are usually drilled completely
through the wall may be used. Care should be taken during
drilling to avoid distortion of the tube (or pipe) and hole.
FIG. 1 Sketch Showing Encircling-Coil and Probe-Coil
Techniques for Electromagnetic Examining of Tubular Products
E 426
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7.5.2 NotchesNotches may be produced by electric dis-
charge machining (EDM), milling, or other means. Longitudi-
nal or transverse notches or both may be used (Note 4).
Orientation, dimensions (width, length, and depth), and con-
guration of the notches affect the response of the eddy-current
system. Notch depth is usually specied as a percentage of
nominal wall thickness of the tubular product being examined.
Notches may be placed on the outer, inner, or both surfaces of
the reference (calibration) standard. Outer surface notches
provide an indication of system response to discontinuities
originating on the outer tube surface, whereas inner surface
notches provide an indication of system response to disconti-
nuities originating on the inner tube surface (Note 5).
NOTE 4Longitudinal notch standards are normally used when exam-
ining with rotating probe systems.
NOTE 5The density of eddy currents decreases nearly exponentially
with increasing distance from the surface nearest the coil, and the
sensitivity to subsurface discontinuities decreases with the change in depth
allowing the use of phase analysis techniques.
7.5.3 The conguration, orientation, and dimensions (diam-
eter of holes and the width, length, and depth of notches) of the
articial discontinuities to be used for establishing acceptance
limits should be subject to agreement between supplier and
purchaser.
8. Adjustment and Standardization of Apparatus
Sensitivity
8.1 Select the apparatus, test frequency, coil or probe, or
both, design, phase discrimination, and other circuitry as well
as speed of examining which shall demonstrate the system
capability for detecting the discontinuities of interest.
8.2 Fabricate the applicable reference standard in accor-
dance with the agreement between the purchaser and tubing
supplier.
8.3 Adjust the apparatus to obtain an optimum signal-to-
noise ratio with the minimum sensitivity required to detect the
articial discontinuities in the reference standard. Do this
under conditions (such as testing speed) identical to those to be
used in production examination of the tubular products.
8.4 Determine the end effect by using a special reference
tube or pipe containing a series of notches or holes near one or
both of the ends and passing this reference standard through the
system at production testing speeds. If notches or holes are
placed near only one of the ends, pass the tube through the
system backwards and forwards.
9. Procedure
9.1 Standardize the apparatus at the start of the test run
using the reference standard. The recommended maximum
interval between restandardization is 4 h although more or less
frequent restandardization may be done by agreement between
using parties, or whenever improper functioning of the equip-
ment is suspected. If improper functioning is found, restan-
dardize the apparatus and retest all tubes or pipes tested during
the period since the last successful standardization.
9.2 Pass the lot of tubes or pipes to be tested through the test
coil or past the probe coil of the apparatus adjusted to the
sensitivity as described in Section 8. Set aside tubes or pipes
with discontinuities indicated by the apparatus. It is recom-
mended that tubes with discontinuity indications be reexam-
ined or retested in accordance with the purchase specication.
9.3 Tubes or pipes may be tested in the nal drawn,
annealed, heat treated, as-welded, or other step in processing.
The point in processing at which inspection is made should be
agreed upon by the supplier and the purchaser. The tubes
should be free of any substance that may interfere with the test.
10. Supplemental Information Regarding Eddy-Current
Testing of High Alloy Steels and Similar Alloys
10.1 In the eddy-current testing of austenitic chromium-
nickel stainless steels it has been found that test frequencies
ranging from less than 1 kHz to more than 1 MHz can be used.
The more commonly used operating frequencies are in the
range, 1 kHz to 125 kHz. The exact frequency used will depend
on the application.
ExampleIf thin-walled tubular products are to be in-
spected or surface rather than subsurface discontinuities are to
be detected, higher frequencies are used. For heavy-walled
tubes, subsurface discontinuities well below the surface require
the use of a lower frequency. Choice of test frequency will
determine the size of discontinuity that can be detected.
10.2 As in any eddy-current test, the depth and orientation
of the discontinuity below the entry surface will affect the
magnitude of signal received from it. Sensitivity varies signi-
cantly with distance from the test coils.
10.3 Under certain conditions austenitic stainless steels can
be magnetic. For example, delta ferrite may be present in a
welded product. Permeability may vary as a function of cold
work. Some nickel alloys, such as Monel Alloy (nickel-copper
alloy), are magnetic in nature and others exhibit magnetism if
there are slight residual stresses in the material.
10.4 Welded stainless steel products can present a special
problem in eddy-current testing. The weld area can usually be
distinguished from the parent metal if the tubing has received
little or no working after welding. This occurs when the
as-welded structure contains delta ferrite which is magnetic
and can cause a high-background noise level or spurious
indications, or both. If drawn after welding, these effects may
be reduced so that welded tubing cannot be distinguished from
seamless tubing. These effects do not necessarily preclude the
eddy-current testing of as-welded tubing; however, the testing
apparatus will probably require different adjustments for ma-
terials with as-welded and wrought structures. Thus, the
minimum size discontinuity that can be detected may also be
different.
10.4.1 For inspecting as-welded tubing, a strong d-c mag-
netic eld is usually applied to improve the signal-to-noise
ratio. This bias eld is generally applied by an encircling coil
or yoke simultaneously with the eld from the test coil.
10.4.2 In preparing a reference standard for welded tubing,
articial discontinuities should be placed in both the weld
metal and the parent metal if both are to be inspected. The
apparatus is then adjusted to obtain an optimum signal-to-noise
ratio.
10.4.3 When inspecting only the weld area, the discontinui-
ties shall be placed in the weld area.
10.5 Certain austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steels ex-
hibit changes in magnetic properties as a result of cold work.
E 426
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As a result, it may be desirable to prepare reference standards
from each lot of material in order to take into account the effect
of magnetic permeability. It may also be helpful to employ a
magnetic-saturation device to minimize the effects of varying
magnetic permeability.
10.6 Both the test frequency and the type of apparatus being
used should be considered when choosing the testing speed.
Certain types of equipment can detect discontinuities at very
slow speeds, while other types require a certain minimum
speed. The testing speed may need to be linked to the speed at
which the material is being processed at the point of inspection.
10.7 The response from natural discontinuities can be sig-
nicantly different than that from articial discontinuities such
as drilled holes or notches. For this reason, sufficient work
should be done to establish the sensitivity level and set-up
required to detect natural discontinuities of consequence to the
end use of the product.
11. Keywords
11.1 alloy; austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steels; aus-
tenitic stainless steels; conductivity; discontinuities; eddy-
curent; electromagnetic; encircling coil; hall element; non-
magnetic steels; probe coil; seamless tubular products; tubular
product; welded tubular products
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E 426
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