Designation: E 215 – 98 (Reapproved 2004)e1

Standard Practice for

Standardizing Equipment for Electromagnetic Examination
of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 215; 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 specification has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

e1 NOTE—Reapproved with editorial changes throughout in January 2004.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This practice2 is intended as a guide for standardizing 2.1 ASTM Standards: 3
eddy-current equipment employed in the examination of seam- E 543 Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
less aluminum-alloy tube. Artificial discontinuities consisting Testing
of flat-bottomed or through holes, or both, are employed as the E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
means of standardizing the eddy-current system. General 2.2 Federal Standard:
requirements for eddy-current examination procedures are Fed Std. No. 245D Tolerance for Aluminum Alloy and
included. Magnesium Alloy Wrought Products4
1.2 Procedures for fabrication of reference standards are 2.3 Other Documents:
given in Appendixes X1.1 and X2.1. SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
1.3 This practice is intended for the examination of tubular cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing5
products having nominal diameters up to 4 in. [101.6 mm] and ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
wall thicknesses up to the standard depth of penetration (SDP) Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel5
of eddy currents for the particular alloy (conductivity) being NAS-410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nonde-
examined and the examination frequency being used. structive Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)6
NOTE 1—This practice may also be used for larger diameters or heavier 3. Terminology
walls up to the effective depth of penetration (EDP) of eddy currents as
specified by the using party or parties. 3.1 Standard terminology relating to electromagnetic ex-
amination may be found in Terminology E 1316, Section C,
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Electromagnetic Testing.
as the standard.
1.5 This practice does not establish acceptance criteria. 4. Significance and Use
They must be established by the using party or parties. 4.1 The examination is performed by passing the tube
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the lengthwise through or near an eddy current sensor energized
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the with alternating current of one or more frequencies. The
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- electrical impedance of the eddy current sensor is modified by
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- the proximity of the tube. The extent of this modification is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. determined by the distance between the eddy current sensor
and the tube, the dimensions, and electrical conductivity of the

3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- the ASTM website.
4
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Electromagnetic Methods. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
5
Current edition approved January 1, 2004. Published February 2004. Originally Available from The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O.
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E 215 - 98. Box 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518.
2 6
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250 Eye
SE-215 in the Code. Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1
tube. The presence of metallurgical or mechanical discontinui- 5.2 If specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies
ties in the tube will alter the apparent impedance of the eddy shall be qualified and evaluated in accordance with Practice
current sensor. During passage of the tube, the changes in eddy E 543. The applicable edition of Practice E 543 shall be
current sensor characteristics caused by localized differences in specified in the contractual agreement.
the tube produce electrical signals which are amplified and
modified to actuate either an audio or visual signalling device 6. Apparatus
or a mechanical marker to indicate the position of discontinui- 6.1 Electronic Apparatus—The electronic apparatus shall
ties in the tube length. Signals can be produced by disconti- be capable of energizing eddy current sensors with alternating
nuities located either on the external or internal surface of the currents of suitable frequencies and shall be capable of sensing
tube or by discontinuities totally contained within the tube the changes in the electromagnetic characteristics of the eddy
wall. current sensors. Equipment may include a detector, phase
4.2 The depth of penetration of eddy currents in the tube discriminator, filter circuits, gating circuits, and signalling
wall is influenced by the conductivity (alloy) of the material devices as required for the particular application.
being examined and the excitation frequency employed. As 6.2 Eddy Current Sensors—Eddy current sensors shall be
defined by the standard depth of penetration equation, the capable of inducing currents in the tube and sensing changes in
eddy-current penetration depth is inversely related to conduc- the electrical characteristics of the tube. The eddy current
tivity and excitation frequency (Note 2). Beyond one standard sensors may be of the encircling coil (annular) type or surface
depth of penetration (SDP), the capacity to detect discontinui- probe type.
ties by eddy currents is reduced. Electromagnetic examination
of seamless aluminum alloy tube is most effective when the 7. Standardization of Apparatus
wall thickness does not exceed the SDP or in heavier tube walls 7.1 The apparatus shall be adjusted with an appropriate
when discontinuities of interest are within one SDP. The limit reference standard to ensure that the equipment is operating at
for detecting metallurgical or mechanical discontinuities by the proper level of sensitivity, with the following consider-
way of conventional eddy current sensors is generally accepted ations:
to be approximately three times the SDP point and is referred 7.1.1 Primary reference standards employed for this pur-
to as the effective depth of penetration (EDP). pose shall be prepared in accordance with the methods de-
scribed in Appendix X1.1.
NOTE 2—The standard depth of penetration is defined by the following
equations:
7.1.2 Equivalent secondary reference standards, prepared in
accordance with methods described in Appendix X2.1, also
SDP 5 503.3 Π1
fs
may be employed for standardizing the apparatus.
7.1.3 Reference standards normally are of the same alloy,
temper, and dimensions as the tube to be examined.
where: 7.1.4 Examinations shall not be conducted unless the equip-
SDP = one standard depth of penetration, ment can be set to the levels required by this standardization
f = frequency, Hz (cycles per second), and procedure.
s = conductivity, siemens-metre/mm2. 7.1.5 For practical applications, reference standards also
may be employed to establish quality control levels.
or:
8. Procedure
SDP 5 26 Π1
fs 8.1 Standardize the examination instrument using the ap-
propriate reference standard prior to examination and check at
least every 4 h during continuous operation, or whenever
where: improper functioning of the examination apparatus is sus-
SDP = one standard depth of penetration, in pected. If improper functioning occurs, restandardize the
f = frequency in Hz (cycles per second), and apparatus in accordance with Section 7, and reexamine all
s = conductivity, % IACS. tubes examined since the last successful standardization.
5. Basis of Application 8.2 Tubes may be examined in the final drawn, annealed, or
heat-treated temper, or in the drawn temper prior to the final
5.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel anneal or heat treatment.
performing examinations to this practice shall be qualified in 8.3 The length of tube over which end effect is significant
accordance with a nationally recognized NDT personnel quali- may be determined by placing a series of holes or notches in
fication practice or standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, special reference tubes and determining the distance from the
SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410, NAS-410, or a similar document tube end at which the signal amplitude from the discontinuities
and certified by the certifying agency’s as applicable. The begins to decrease.
practice or standard used and its applicable revision shall be
identified in the contractual agreement between the using 9. Application
parties. 9.1 This application covers the electromagnetic examination
NOTE 3—MIL-STD-410 is canceled and has been replaced with NAS- of aluminum-alloy seamless tube using primary and secondary
410, however, it may be used with agreement between contracting parties. reference standards.

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1
9.2 Primary and secondary reference standards, described in standard employed, that is, the maximum ratio of indication
Appendixes X1.1 and X2.1, respectively, when used as accep- height from the appropriate artificial discontinuities to the
tance standards, will establish probable detection of defects indication height from nondetrimental discontinuities.
that are of a severity likely to cause leaks or substantial 9.3.4 Filter Setting—The filter setting should be selected
weakening of the tube. commensurate with the examination speed to provide optimum
9.3 Using electronic apparatus and eddy current sensors filtering of non-detrimental, time-varying discontinuities such
described in Section 6, the equipment sensitivity shall be as geometry, pathline variation, high-frequency noise, etc.
standardized in accordance with Section 7 under the following 9.3.5 Sensitivity Setting—The sensitivity setting shall be
examination conditions: adjusted to provide clearly discernible indications of a conve-
9.3.1 Frequency—The frequency shall be in the range from nient height for the appropriate accept holes (A or da), but it
1 to 125 kHz. The examination frequency should be adjusted to shall not be high enough to cause off-scale or saturated
provide optimum penetration of the tube wall or to place indications for the appropriate reject holes (2A or db) of the
discontinuities of interest within one SDP. Discontinuities reference standard.
located deeper than the SDP point will be detected with less 9.3.6 Threshold-Level Setting—The threshold-level setting
sensitivity. The SDP point will vary as a function of the tube (reject level) shall be adjusted to automatically trigger an audio
alloy (conductivity) and examination frequency and may be or visual-signalling device or a mechanical marker when the
determined by the depth of penetration equation given in appropriate artificial discontinuity (or discontinuities) of the
Section 4, Note 2. acceptance standard passes through or by the eddy current
9.3.2 Speed of Examination—The examination rate, or sensor.
speed of the tube with respect to the eddy current sensor, may
9.4 When using reference standards as acceptance standards
vary with the application. In encircling coil applications,
the threshold level should be adjusted to accept tubes exhibit-
examination speeds of 15.2 m/min [50 fpm] to 152 m/min [500
ing eddy-current responses smaller than those obtained from
fpm] are recommended where possible, but examination
the appropriate reject holes (2A or db) and to reject those with
speeds as high as 305 m/min [1000 fpm] are permissible. In
responses equivalent to or greater than those obtained from the
surface probe applications, examination speeds are inherently
appropriate reject holes (2A or db) in the reference standard.
slower due to reduced surface coverage and the necessity to
Experience shows that this procedure will aid in the rejection
rotate the eddy current sensor or the tube to produce a helical
of severe defects and, at the same time, minimize erroneous
scan. All instrument adjustments, that is, frequency, phase
rejection of tubes that might exhibit noise from non-
setting, filter setting, sensitivity setting, threshold-level setting,
detrimental discontinuities.
etc., shall be made with the reference standard or acceptance
standard or both passing through or by the eddy current sensor
at the same speed at which the examination of tube is to be 10. Keywords
conducted. 10.1 aluminum alloy; eddy currents; electromagnetic ex-
9.3.3 Phase Setting—The phase setting should be selected amination; equipment standardization; NDT; nondestructive
to provide the best signal-to-noise ratio for the reference testing; tubing

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. PURPOSE, DESCRIPTION, FABRICATION, AND CHECKING OF PRIMARY REFERENCE STANDARDS

X1.1 Purpose X1.2 Description

X1.1.1 Primary reference standards are used to standardize X1.2.1 The primary reference standard shall contain six
examination equipment under operating conditions to establish artificial discontinuities in the form of flat-bottomed drilled
acceptable limits of sensitivity, reproducibility, and capability holes in a 183-cm [6-ft] length of tube which is free of
for detecting defects of a severity likely to cause leaks or significant natural discontinuities. Fig. X1.1 describes the
substantial weakening of the tube. primary reference standard for aluminum-alloy seamless tube.
X1.1.2 The dimensions of the appropriate primary reference
standard are determined by the size of the tube to be examined. X1.2.2 The six flat-bottomed holes shall be of equal diam-
A primary reference standard shall be a tube of the same alloy, eter, d, and shall be located in the mid-portion of the tube. The
temper, outside diameter, D, and wall thickness, t, as the tube distance between adjacent holes is 152 mm [6 in.]. The
to be examined. This appendix covers the preparation of minimum distance between a hole and either end of the tube
primary standards for test of seamless aluminum-alloy tube. shall be approximately 500 mm [20 in.].

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1

NOTE 1—All dimensions in mm 6 5 mm [in. 6 0.2 in.].

NOTE 2—All hole diameters determined by:
d = 76.2 3 10-3 (tube diameter, D/wall thickness, t) mm
d = 3 10-3 (tube diameter, t) in.
NOTE 3—A holes and 2A holes are flat-bottomed and are one third the wall thickness deep and two thirds the wall thickness deep, respectively.
NOTE 4—Nominal dimensions for D and t are recommended from Table X1.1 when calculating appropriate drill diameters for tubes having D/t ratios
that result in hole sizes outside the standard drill size range of No. 1 to No. 80.
FIG. X1.1 Primary Reference Standard for Seamless Aluminum-Alloy Tube

X1.2.3 Three of each of the reference standard holes A and characteristics of the primary reference standard. Caution
2A shall be drilled consecutively to depths of one third and two should be exercised to maintain a uniform anodic coating along
thirds the wall thickness, respectively in radial longitudinal the entire length of the tube because boundaries between
planes 120 6 5° apart. anodized and unanodized areas may appear as discontinuities
X1.2.4 The diameter, d, of the flat-bottomed drill used to during testing.
make a primary reference standard hole shall be determined
mathematically with the following equation: X1.4 Fabricating Procedure
X1.4.1 The fabricating procedure includes cutting the tube
d 5 k ~D/t! 3 102 3 (X1.1)
to length, locating and drilling the flat-bottomed holes, deburr-
ing and finishing the sawed ends, and identifying the tube as
where: prescribed by X1.3. The use of a jig with suitable interchange-
d = drill diameter of A and 2A flat-bottom holes, mm [in], able drill bushings is recommended for drilling the flat-
k = 76.2 mm [3 in.], bottomed holes.
D = tube outside diameter, mm [in.], and X1.4.2 The original outside and inside surfaces of the tube
t = tube wall thickness, mm [in.]. shall be retained without any mechanical refinishing. Care
X1.2.5 In computing the appropriate drill diameters, it is must be taken to avoid dents, abrasions, and other conditions
recommended that the nominal dimensions for D and t listed in that mar the surface or distort the contour of the tube wall.
Table X1.1 be used for tubes having heavy or very thin wall X1.4.3 The holes shall be drilled with flat-bottomed drills
thicknesses or outside diameter-to-wall thickness ratios that which are flat to within 2 % of the hole diameter. The drills
calculate to drill sizes outside the standard drill size range of must meet recognized manufacturers’ tolerance for wire-sized
gage No. 1 to gage No. 80. The dimensions D, t, and d must be drills. The hole depth shall be measured from the outside
expressed in the same units of measurement, that is, millime- diameter of the tube to the bottom of the hole along the radial
tres or inches when calculating the appropriate drill diameters. centerline through the hole. Hole depths must be held to within
X1.2.6 A standard drill size (drill gage between No. 1 and 60.025 mm [0.001 in.] of the specified depths. A scribe or
No. 80 inclusive) nearest the calculated drill diameter, d, may vibrating pencil should be used to mark the tube surface for
be employed for drilling the hole size required. drilling in order to avoid local deformation of the tube. The use
of a center punch for this purpose is prohibited.
X1.3 Identification X1.4.4 Tube stock for fabrication of the reference standard
X1.3.1 Each primary reference standard shall be clearly shall be free of surface irregularities, bends, and other obvious
marked within the first 50 mm [2 in.] from the end of the tube defects and shall have no bow or out-of-roundness in excess of
adjacent to the 2A holes. The standard shall be marked in a the maximum specified for tube. (See Fed. Std. No 245.) Tubes
manner that provides rapid identification of the manufacturer, shall be free of any eddy-current indication greater than 80 %
outside diameter, wall thickness, identifying number, alloy, and of the A hole indication prior to fabrication of the standard.
temper. Permanent identification shall be accomplished by a
method not harmful to the tube. X1.5 Checking
X1.3.2 As a further means of identification, the primary X1.5.1 The finished primary reference standard should be
reference standard may be anodized and dyed. This anodizing rechecked by recognized gaging procedures to ensure that the
and coloring provides positive identification and a wear- outside diameter wall thickness, maximum bow, and maximum
resistant surface and does not affect the eddy-current response out-of-roundness fall within requirements.2

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1
TABLE X1.1 Applicable Primary and Secondary Standard Nominal Dimensions and Drill Sizes for Various Ranges
Of Tube Sizes
Inch-Pound, in.
Tube Size Nominal Standard Dimensions Drill Size
Wall Primary Secondary
Dia.,
Outside Diameter Thickness,
D 6 10 %
t 6 10 % Dia., d Dia., da Dia., db

#0.0625 to 0.125 0.0938 0.015 0.023 0.010 0.015

>0.125 to 0.250 0.1875 0.022 0.026 0.013 0.019
>0.250 to 0.375 0.3125 0.035 0.027 0.014 0.020
>0.375 to 0.500 0.4375 0.049 0.027 0.014 0.020
>0.500 to 0.625 0.5625 0.049 0.034 0.018 0.027
>0.625 to 0.750 0.6875 0.049 0.042 0.021 0.032
>0.750 to 1.000 0.8750 0.049 0.054 0.028 0.042
>1.000 to 1.250 1.125 0.058 0.058 0.030 0.045
>1.250 to 1.500 1.375 0.058 0.071 0.036 0.055
>1.500 to 1.750 1.625 0.067 0.073 0.038 0.057
>1.750 to 2.000 1.875 0.067 0.083 0.043 0.065
>2.000 to 2.500 2.250 0.076 0.089 0.046 0.069
>2.500 to 3.000 2.750 0.083 0.099 0.051 0.077
>3.000 to 3.500 3.250 0.095 0.103 0.053 0.080
>3.500 to 4.000 3.750 0.095 0.118 0.061 0.092
SI Units, mm

Wall Primary Second

Outside Diameter Dia., D
Thickness, t Dia., d Dia., da Dia., db
#1.59 to 3.18 2.38 0.38 0.58 0.25 0.38
>3.18 to 6.35 4.76 0.56 0.66 0.33 0.48
>6.35 to 9.53 7.94 0.89 0.69 0.36 0.51
>9.53 to 12.70 11.11 1.24 0.69 0.36 0.51
>12.70 to 15.88 14.29 1.24 0.86 0.46 0.69
>15.88 to 19.05 17.46 1.24 1.07 0.53 0.81
>19.05 to 25.40 22.23 1.24 1.37 0.71 1.07
>25.40 to 31.75 28.58 1.47 1.47 0.76 1.14
>31.75 to 38.10 34.93 1.47 1.80 0.91 1.40
>38.10 to 44.45 41.28 1.70 1.85 0.97 1.45
>44.45 to 50.80 47.63 1.70 2.11 1.09 1.65
>50.80 to 63.50 57.15 1.93 2.26 1.17 1.75
>63.50 to 76.20 69.85 2.11 2.51 1.30 1.96
>76.20 to 88.90 82.55 2.41 2.62 1.35 2.03
>88.90 to 101.60 95.25 2.41 3.00 1.55 2.34

X1.5.2 Each primary reference standard shall be subjected diameter, wall thickness, serial number, alloy and temper, the
to an eddy-current examination in which the results are drill size, and the depths of the A and 2A holes. The report form
recorded on a chart. Annular coils or surface probes may be shall further indicate that the reference standard complies with
used for checking reference standards. The instrument shall be requirements specified in X1.5.
adjusted to provide clearly discernible indications of a conve- X1.6.2 The report shall include a chart record that shows the
nient height for the A holes, but the sensitivity setting shall not response from the six flat-bottomed holes in the primary
be high enough to cause off-scale or saturated indications for reference standard. The type and model number of the eddy-
the 2A holes.
current instrument, the eddy current sensor size, the speed of
X1.5.3 To qualify as an acceptable primary reference stan-
examination, and the frequency used in obtaining the chart
dard, the response or indication height from any A hole must be
record also shall be noted.
within6 20 % of the mean indication height for the three A
holes, and the indication height for the 2A holes must be within X1.6.3 It should be recognized that the eddy-current re-
610 % of the mean indication height for the 2A holes. sponse to the drilled holes may differ somewhat from that
X1.5.4 The critical portion of the primary reference stan- originally recorded, depending on the type of instrument used,
dard, which extends between points 200 mm [8 in.] beyond the the eddy current sensor size, the frequency, the degree of
two outermost holes and includes all of the holes, shall not filtering, the phase setting, and the speed of examination. These
exhibit eddy-current noise or extraneous indications greater differences in response may be observed even though the
than 80 % of the indication height obtained from the A holes. instructions given in X1.5 are followed meticulously, but they
do not preclude the usefulness of the primary reference
X1.6 Report standard for its intended application.
X1.6.1 A report shall be prepared for each primary reference
standard. The report form shall list the manufacturer, outside

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1

X2. PURPOSE, DESCRIPTION, FABRICATION, AND CHECKING OF SECONDARY REFERENCE STANDARDS

X2.1 Purpose remaining three holes designated db also shall be drilled in

X2.1.1 Secondary reference standards are used to standard- radial longitudinal planes 120 6 5° apart.
ize the sensitivity of equipment employed for the electromag- X2.2.4 The diameters, da or db, of the drills used to fabricate
netic examination of aluminum-alloy tubes. They may be used a secondary reference standard shall be determined mathemati-
in conjunction with the appropriate primary standard to ensure cally with the following equations:
acceptable limits of sensitivity, reproducibility, and capability
da 5 [ka ~D/t!# 3 102 3 (X2.1)
for detecting defects of a severity likely to cause leaks or
23
substantial weakening of the tube. db 5 [kb ~D/t!# 3 10
X2.1.2 In common practice, secondary reference standards
are also used as acceptance standards. However, the use of
where:
secondary reference standards as acceptance standards should
da = drill diameter equivalent to A hole, mm [in.],
be specified by the using party or parties. db = drill diameter equivalent to 2A hole, mm [in.],
X2.1.3 A secondary reference shall be a tube of the same ka = 39.4 mm [1.55 in.],
alloy, temper, outside diameter D and wall thickness t as the kb = 59.2 mm [2.33 in.],
tube to be examined. This appendix covers the preparation of D = tube outside diameter, mm [in.], and
secondary standards for examination of seamless aluminum- t = tube wall thickness, mm [in.].
alloy tube. X2.2.5 In computing the appropriate drill diameters, it is
X2.2 Description recommended that the nominal dimensions for D and t listed in
Table X1.1 be used for tubes having heavy or very thin wall
X2.2.1 The secondary reference standard shall contain six
artificial discontinuities in the form of drilled holes in a 183-cm thicknesses or outside diameter-to-wall thickness ratios that
[6-ft] length of tube which is free of significant natural calculate to drill sizes outside the standard drill size range of
discontinuities. Fig. X2.1 describes the secondary reference gage No. 1 to gage No. 80. The dimensions D, t, da, and db
standard for aluminum-alloy seamless tube. must be expressed in the same units of measurement, that is,
X2.2.2 The six drilled holes shall be 3 each of the 2 millimetres or inches. It is important to use the appropriate
diameters da and db through one wall and shall be located in the constants ka or kb, for the selected units of measurement.
midportion of the tube. The distance between adjacent holes is X2.2.6 A standard drill size (drill gage between No. 1 and
152 mm [6 in.]. The minimum distance between a hole and No. 80) nearest the calculated drill diameter (da and db) may be
either end of the tube shall be approximately 500 mm [20 in.]. employed for drilling each of the two hole sizes required.
X2.2.3 Three holes designated da shall be drilled consecu-
tively in radial longitudinal planes 120 6 5° apart. The

NOTE 1—All dimensions in mm 6 5 mm [in. 6 0.2 in.].

NOTE 2—Hole sizes determined by:
da = 39.4 3 10-3 (tube diameter, D/wall thickness, t) mm
da = 1.55 3 10-3 (tube diameter, D/wall thickness, t) in.
db = 59.7 3 10-3 (tube diameter, D/wall thickness, t) mm
db = 2.53 3 10-3 (tube diameter, D/wall thickness, t) in.
NOTE 3—All holes drilled through the tube wall.
NOTE 4—Nominal dimensions for D and t are recommended from Table X1.1 when calculating appropriate drill diameters for tubes having D/t ratios
that result in hole sizes outside the standard drill size range of No. 1 to No. 80.
FIG. X2.1 Secondary Reference Standard for Aluminum-Alloy Tube

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 E 215 – 98 (2004)e1
X2.3 Identification X2.5 Checking
X2.3.1 Identification of secondary standards is recom- X2.5.1 Each secondary reference standard should be evalu-
mended but is not required for conformance to this practice. ated with an eddy-current examination employing annular coils
X2.4 Fabricating Procedure or surface probes. It is recommended that the results of this
X2.4.1 The fabricating procedure includes cutting the tube check be recorded on a chart. The instrument shall be adjusted
to length, locating and drilling the holes, deburring and to provide clearly discernible indications of a convenient
finishing the sawed ends, and identifying the tube as desired. height from the da holes (equivalent A holes), but the sensitiv-
The use of a jig with suitable, interchangeable drilled bushings ity setting shall not be high enough to cause saturated indica-
is recommended for lining the drill during the drilling opera- tions from the db holes (equivalent 2A holes).
tion. X2.5.2 To qualify as an acceptable secondary reference
X2.4.2 During the drilling operation, care should be exer- standard, the response or indication height from any da, hole
cised to ensure a uniform cutting speed and a smooth finish must be within 620 % of the mean indication height for all
along the wall of each hole. A scribe or vibrating pencil should three da holes, and the indication height from the db holes must
be used to mark the tube surface for drilling in order to avoid be within6 10 % of the mean indication height for the three db
local deformation of the tube. The use of a center punch for this holes.
purpose is prohibited. X2.5.3 The critical portion of the reference standard, which
X2.4.3 The tube stock used for fabricating secondary refer-
extends between points 200 mm [8 in.] beyond the two
ence standards shall be free of surface irregularities, excessive
outermost holes and includes all of the holes, shall not exhibit
bends, and other obvious defects. They shall be representative
eddy-current noise or extraneous indications greater than 80 %
of the tubes in the production lot to be examined. Tubes shall
of the indications obtained from the da holes.
be free of any eddy-current indication greater than 80 % of the
da indication.

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