BS EN ISO 11666:2010

BSI Standards Publication

Non-destructive testing of
welds Ultrasonic testing
Acceptance levels (ISO
11666:2010)

BS EN ISO 11666:2010

BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO
11666:2010. It supersedes BS EN 1712:1997 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee WEE/46, Non-destructive testing.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be
obtained on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary
provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.
BSI 2011
ISBN 978 0 580 55535 0
ICS 25.160.40
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 January 2011.
Amendments issued since publication
Date

Text affected

EN ISO 11666

EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPENNE
EUROPISCHE NORM

December 2010

ICS 25.160.40

Supersedes EN 1712:1997

English Version

Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing Acceptance levels (ISO 11666:2010)

Contrle non destructif des assemblages souds - Contrle
par ultrasons - Niveaux d'acceptation (ISO 11666:2010)

Zerstrungsfreie Prfung von Schweiverbindungen Ultraschallprfung von Schweiverbindungen Zulssigkeitsgrenzen (ISO 11666:2010)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 14 December 2010.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMIT EUROPEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPISCHES KOMITEE FR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

2010 CEN

All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved

worldwide for CEN national Members.

Ref. No. EN ISO 11666:2010: E

BS EN ISO 11666:2010

EN ISO 11666:2010 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 11666:2010) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 121 Welding, the
secretariat of which is held by DIN, in collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 44 "Welding and allied
processes".
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2011, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by June 2011.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 1712:1997.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Contents

Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................iv
1

Scope ......................................................................................................................................................1

Normative references............................................................................................................................1

Measurement of indication length .......................................................................................................1

Sensitivity setting and levels ...............................................................................................................2

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Acceptance levels .................................................................................................................................2

General ...................................................................................................................................................2
Longitudinal indications .......................................................................................................................3
Transverse indications .........................................................................................................................3
Grouping of indications ........................................................................................................................3
Cumulative length of acceptable indications .....................................................................................4

Annex A (normative) Levels...............................................................................................................................5

Annex B (normative) Fixed amplitude level technique .................................................................................17

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

iii

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 11666 was prepared by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
TC 121, Welding, Subcommittee SC 5, Testing of welds, in collaboration with ISO Technical Committee TC 44,
Welding and allied processes, Subcommittee SC 5, Testing and inspection of welds, in accordance with the
Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
Requests for official interpretations of any aspect of this International Standard should be directed to the
Secretariat of ISO/TC 44/SC 5 via your national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be
found at www.iso.org.

iv

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

ISO 11666:2010(E)

Non-destructive testing of welds Ultrasonic testing

Acceptance levels

Scope

This International Standard specifies ultrasonic acceptance levels 2 and 3 for full penetration welded joints in
ferritic steels, which correspond to ISO 5817 quality levels B and C. An acceptance level corresponding to
ISO 5817 quality level D is not included in this International Standard as ultrasonic testing is generally not
requested for this weld quality.
These acceptance levels are applicable to testing carried out in accordance with ISO 17640.
This International Standard applies to the examination of full penetration ferritic steel welds, with thicknesses
from 8 mm to 100 mm. It can also be used for other types of welds, materials and thicknesses above 100 mm,
provided the examinations have been performed with necessary consideration of the geometry and acoustic
properties of the component, and an adequate sensitivity can be employed to enable the acceptance levels of
this International Standard to be applied. The nominal frequency of probes used in this International Standard
is between 2 MHz and 5 MHz unless attenuation or requirements for higher resolution call for other
frequencies. The use of these acceptance levels in conjunction with frequencies outside this range needs to
be considered carefully.

Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5817, Welding Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 17635, Non-destructive testing of welds General rules for metallic materials
ISO 17640, Non-destructive testing of welds Ultrasonic testing Techniques, testing levels, and
assessment
ISO 23279, Non-destructive testing of welds Ultrasonic testing Characterization of indications in welds

Measurement of indication length

The length of an indication shall be determined by measuring the distance along the length over which the
echo amplitude is above the evaluation level, using the fixed amplitude level technique specified in Annex B.
Alternative techniques for measuring indication length may be used when specified.

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Sensitivity setting and levels

The sensitivity setting may be performed by one of the following techniques. For sensitivity setting and the
subsequent examinations, the same technique shall be used:
a)

technique 1: based on 3 mm diameter side-drilled holes;

b)

technique 2: based on distance gain size (DGS) curves for flat-bottom holes (disk-shaped reflectors);

c)

technique 3: using a distance-amplitude-corrected (DAC) curve of a rectangular notch of 1 mm depth and

1 mm width;

d)

technique 4: using the tandem technique with reference to a 6 mm diameter flat-bottom hole (disk-shaped
reflector).

Four levels as defined in ISO 17640 are used in this International Standard:
1)

reference level;

2)

evaluation level;

3)

recording levels (for two acceptance levels, reference levels are derived from the relevant
acceptance level minus 4 dB);

4)

acceptance levels (for two quality levels).

All levels are linked to the reference reflectors specified in Table A.1.
Annex A specifies levels.

Acceptance levels

5.1

General

The relationship between acceptance levels, testing levels and quality levels is given in ISO 17635. See also
Table 1.
Table 1 Ultrasonic pulse echo technique (UT)
Quality level in accordance with
ISO 5817

Testing technique and level in

accordance with ISO 17640a

Acceptance level in accordance

with this International Standard

at least B

at least A

at least A

3b

When characterization of indications is required, ISO 23279 shall be applied.

UT is not recommended but can be defined in a specification (with the same requirements as quality level C).

The acceptance levels in this International Standard are valid for all testing levels and for all techniques as
defined in ISO 17640, including tests with straight beam probes.
If characterization has been specified in accordance with ISO 23279, planar indications are not acceptable
and for non-planar indications, the acceptance levels in this International Standard apply.
If characterization has not been specified, the acceptance levels in this International Standard apply to all
indications.

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

5.2

Longitudinal indications

Table A.1 gives information on the techniques used for evaluation of indications according to ISO 17640 and
the related evaluation and acceptance levels. Table A.2 specifies the acceptance levels for technique 2 using
transverse waves. Table A.3 specifies the acceptance levels for technique 2 using longitudinal waves.
For techniques 1 (side-drilled holes) and 3 (rectangular notch), see Figures A.1 to A.4.
For techniques 2 [flat-bottom holes (disk-shaped reflectors)] and 4 (tandem technique), see Figures A.5 to A.8.
Any indication with an amplitude below the acceptance level but with a length (above evaluation level)
exceeding t, for the thickness range of 8 mm u t < 15 mm, or t/2 or 20 mm, whichever is the larger, for all
other thickness ranges, shall be subject to further testing. This requires the use of additional probe angle(s),
and, if specified, the tandem technique.
The final evaluation shall be based on the maximum echo amplitude and length measured.

5.3

Transverse indications

When detection of transverse indications is specified, the acceptance levels stated in 5.2 apply.

5.4

Grouping of indications

Grouping is based on the length and the separation of two individually acceptable indications having
amplitudes above the recording level. The length of a group shall not be used for further grouping.
For evaluation, a group of indications shall be considered as a single one if:
a)

the distance, dx, is less than twice the length of the longer indication (see Figure 1);

b)

the distance, dy, is less than half of the thickness but not more than 10 mm;

c)

the distance, dz, is less than half of the thickness but not more than 10 mm.

The combined length is:

l12 = l1 + l2 + dx
(see Figure 2).
The combined length, l12, and the larger maximum amplitude of the two indications shall then be assessed
against the applicable acceptance levels given in Table A.1.

Key
dx, dy, dz

distances in the x-, y-, and z-directions, respectively

ln

where n = 1 3, individual indications

Figure 1 Geometric configuration for grouped indications

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
dx

distance in the x-direction

l1, l2

individual indications

l12

combined length

Figure 2 Length of a group of indications

5.5

Cumulative length of acceptable indications

The cumulative length of all individually acceptable indications above recording level is given as the sum of
lengths of both single indications and linearly aligned indications of combined length within a given section of
weld length.

Key
lc cumulative length
lw
ln

lc = l2 + l3 + l45 + l6
weld length
where n = 1 7, individual indications

Figure 3 Cumulative length of indications

For any section of weld length, lw, the maximum cumulative length of all individually acceptable indications
above the recording level shall not exceed 20 % of this length for acceptance level 2, or 30 % of this length for
acceptance level 3, where lw = 6 t for t < 15 mm and lw = 100 mm for t W 15 mm.

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Annex A
(normative)
Levels

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 2
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.1 Levels for techniques 1 and 3 for thicknesses 8 mm to 15 mm Acceptance level 2

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 3
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.2 Levels for techniques 1 and 3 for thicknesses 8 mm to 15 mm Acceptance level 3

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 2
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.3 Levels for technique 1 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 2

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 3
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.4 Levels for technique 1 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 3

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 2
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.5 Levels for technique 2 for thicknesses 8 mm to 15 mm Acceptance level 2

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 3
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.6 Levels for technique 2 for thicknesses 8 mm to 15 mm Acceptance level 3

10

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 2
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.7 Levels for technique 2 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 2

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

11

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 2
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.8 Levels for technique 4 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 2

12

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 3
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.9 Levels for technique 2 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 3

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

13

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Key
1
2
3
4
H
l
n
t

reference level
acceptance level 3
recording level
evaluation level
amplitude
indication length
multiplier of t
thickness

Figure A.10 Levels for technique 4 for thicknesses 15 mm to 100 mm Acceptance level 3

14

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

 ISO 2010 All rights reserved

H0 22 dB

H0 18 dB

H0 10 dB

in accordance with
Table A.2 or A.3

in accordance with
Table A.2 or A.3

H0 14 dB

H0 4 dB

H0 10 dB

for AL 3

H0 8 dB

H0 14 dB

for AL 2

Evaluation level

H0 is the reference level.

Recording levels are 4 dB below the corresponding acceptance levels.

(tandem technique)

(rectangular notch)

[flat-bottom holes
(disk-shaped
reflectors)]

(side-drilled holes)

(according to
ISO 17640)

Technique

For l > t:
H0 10 dB

For l u t:
H0 4 dB

For l > t:
H0 4 dB

For l u t:
H0 + 2 dB

For l > t:
H0 10 dB

For l u t:
H0 4 dB

8 mm u t < 15 mm

For l > t:
H0 18 dB

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0 14 dB

For l u 0,5 t:
H0 8 dB

For l > t:
H0 4 dB

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0

For l u 0,5 t:
H0 + 6 dB

For l > t:
H0 10 dB

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0 6 dB

For l u 0,5 t:
H0

15 mm u t < 100 mm

Acceptance level 2 (AL 2)

Table A.1 Acceptance levels 2 and 3 for techniques 1, 2, 3, and 4

For l > t:
H0 6 dB

For l u t:
H0

For l > t:
H0

For l u t:
H0 + 6 dB

For l > t:
H0 6 dB

For l u t:
H0

8 mm u t < 15 mm

For l > t:
H0 14 dB

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0 10 dB

For l u 0,5 t:
H0 4 dB

For l > t:
H0

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0 + 4 dB

For l u 0,5 t:
H0 + 10 dB

For l > t:
H0 6 dB

For 0,5 t < l u t:

H0 2 dB

For l u 0,5 t:
H0 + 4 dB

15 mm u t < 100 mm

Acceptance level 3 (AL 3)

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

15

16
DDSR = 1,5 mm

DDSR = 1,5 mm

3,0 to 5,0

DDSR = 2,0 mm

DDSR = 2,5 mm

DDSR = 2,5 mm
DDSR = 2,0 mm

AL 3

AL 2

15 mm u t < 40 mm

Thickness of parent material, t

DDSR = 3,0 mm

DDSR = 3,0 mm

AL 2

DDSR = 3,0 mm

DDSR = 3,0 mm

AL 3

40 mm u t < 100 mm

DDSR = 2,0 mm

DDSR = 2,0 mm

3,0 to 5,0

DDSR is the diameter of the disk-shaped reflector.

AL 3

AL 2

8 mm u t < 15 mm

1,5 to 2,5

MHz

Nominal probe frequency

DDSR = 2,0 mm

DDSR = 2,5 mm

DDSR = 2,5 mm
DDSR = 2,0 mm

AL3

AL 2

15 mm u t < 40 mm

Thickness of parent material, t

DDSR = 3,0 mm

DDSR = 3,0 mm

AL 2

DDSR = 3,0 mm

DDSR = 3,0 mm

AL 3

40 mm u t < 100 mm

Table A.3 Reference levels for acceptance levels 2 and 3 for technique 2 using straight beam scanning with longitudinal waves

DDSR is the diameter of the disk-shaped reflector.

AL 3

AL 2

8 mm u t < 15 mm

1,5 to 2,5

MHz

Nominal probe frequency

Table A.2 Reference levels for acceptance levels 2 and 3 for technique 2 using angle beam scanning with transverse waves

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

ISO 2010 All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 11666:2010
ISO 11666:2010(E)

Annex B
(normative)
Fixed amplitude level technique

The technique measures the lateral dimensions of an indication over which the echo is equal to or greater
than the evaluation level.
To make a measurement, the beam is scanned over the indications, and the probe position and beam path
range, at which the echo has fallen to the evaluation level, are noted (positions 1 and 2 in Figure B.1).
The lateral dimension, l, is then determined by the distance between the positions 1 and 2.

Key
l
measured lateral dimension of indication
1, 2

positions where indication amplitudes are equal to the evaluation level

Maximum echo.

Evaluation level.

Figure B.1 Fixed amplitude level technique using the beam axis

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