Designation: E1901 − 13

Standard Guide for

Detection and Evaluation of Discontinuities by Contact
Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Methods1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1901; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of

1.1 This guide covers procedures for the contact ultrasonic Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems
examination of bulk materials or parts by transmitting pulsed without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
ultrasonic waves into the material and observing the indica- E428 Practice for Fabrication and Control of Metal, Other
tions of reflected waves. This guide covers only examinations than Aluminum, Reference Blocks Used in Ultrasonic
in which one search unit is used as both transmitter and Testing
receiver (pulse-echo). This guide includes general require- E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
ments and procedures that may be used for detecting Testing
discontinuities, locating depth and distance from a point of E1158 Guide for Material Selection and Fabrication of
reference and for making a relative or approximate evaluation Reference Blocks for the Pulsed Longitudinal Wave Ul-
of the size of discontinuities as compared to a reference trasonic Testing of Metal and Metal Alloy Production
standard. Material
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1.2 This guide complements Practice E114 by providing 2.2 ASNT Standard:
more detailed procedures for the selection and calibration of SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
the inspection system and for evaluation of the indications cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing Person-
obtained. nel3
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 2.3 ANSI/ASNT Standard:
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel 3
and are not considered standard. 2.4 Aerospace Industries Association Document:
1.4 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety NAS-410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nonde-
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility structive Test Personnel4
of the user of this guide to establish the appropriate safety and 2.5 ISO Standard5
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing — Qualification and cer-
limitations prior to use. tification of NDT personnel
2. Referenced Documents 3. Terminology
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
E114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam see Terminology E1316.
Contact Testing
E127 Practice for Fabricating and Checking Aluminum Al- 4. Basis for Application
loy Ultrasonic Standard Reference Blocks 4.1 Contractual Agreement—The using parties shall agree
on the applicable procedural requirements, as listed herein,
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestruc- prior to the examination of any material.
tive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on Ultrasonic
Method.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013. Published February 2014. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1901 - 08. DOI: 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
10.1520/E1901-13. Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
the ASTM website. la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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

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 E1901 − 13
4.1.1 Materials, sizes, and shapes examined, using longitudinal waves. Equipment, reference standards,
4.1.2 Stage of manufacture when examined (time of test), examination and evaluation procedures, and documentation of
4.1.3 Surface finish requirements, results are described in detail.
4.1.4 Minimum equipment requirements, as in Table 1
herein, 6. Significance and Use
4.1.5 Search unit size, frequency and type, 6.1 This guide provides procedures for the application of
4.1.6 Couplant, contact straight-beam examination for the detection and quan-
4.1.7 Automated turning, fixturing or scanning, or both, as titative evaluation of discontinuities in materials.
applicable,
4.1.8 Type of reference block standards including surface 6.2 Although not all requirements of this guide can be
curvature, applied universally to all inspections, situations, and materials,
4.1.9 Standardization details, including attenuation compen- it does provide basis for establishing contractual criteria
sation and DAC techniques, between the users, and may be used as a general guide for
4.1.10 The surfaces to be examined and the scanning path, preparing detailed specifications for a particular application.
4.1.11 Acceptance standards, 6.3 This guide is directed towards the evaluation of discon-
4.1.12 Personnel certification level, and tinuities detectable with the beam normal to the entry surface.
4.1.13 Instrument characteristics. If discontinuities or other orientations are of concern, alternate
4.2 Written Procedure—Ultrasonic examinations performed scanning techniques are required.
in accordance with this guide shall be detailed in a written
procedure. Documentation of procedure qualification shall be 7. Apparatus
maintained by the preparer. Procedures shall be sufficiently 7.1 Apparatus shall include the following:
detailed so that other qualified examiners may duplicate the 7.1.1 Electronic Equipment—The electronic equipment
examination and obtain equivalent results. shall be capable of producing and processing electronic signals
4.3 Personnel Qualifications—Personnel performing ultra- at frequencies in the range of the search unit frequencies being
sonic examinations in accordance with this guide shall be used. The equipment and its display shall provide characteris-
qualified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT CP- tics as listed in Table 1, that are suitable for the specific
189, NAS-410, ISO 9712, or MIL-STD-410, and certified by application at the specified frequency, as determined in accor-
the employer or certifying agency, as applicable. Other equiva- dance with the procedures and tolerances described in Practice
lent qualification documents may be used when specified in the E317. The equipment, including the search unit, shall be
contract or purchase order. The applicable revision shall be the capable of producing echo amplitudes of at least 60 % of full
latest unless otherwise specified in the contractual agreement screen height from the reference reflector required for the
between parties. examination, with the material noise level, from front to back
surface not exceeding 20 % of full screen height. Alternatively,
NOTE 1—MIL-STD-410 is canceled and has been replaced with if these conditions can be met at one half the part thickness, the
NAS-410, however, it may be used with agreement between contracting part may be inspected from both sides.
parties.
4.4 If specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies NOTE 2—The using parties should agree on the minimum instrument
characteristics prior to conducting an examination.
shall be qualified and evaluated as described in Practice E543.
7.1.2 Voltage Regulator—If fluctuations in line voltage
5. Summary of Guide cause indication amplitude variations exceeding 61⁄2 dB, a
5.1 This guide describes a means for obtaining an evalua- voltage regulator shall be required on the power source. This
tion of discontinuities in materials by contact examination requirement is not applicable to battery-operated units.
7.1.3 Search Units—The search unit selected shall be ca-
pable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound at the required
TABLE 1 Minimum Equipment Requirements (Longitudinal Wave) frequencies and energy levels necessary for discontinuity
Ultrasonic Test detection in the material being examined. The search units
Instrument Characteristics Frequency MHZ shall be of the contact type. Only longitudinal wave, straight
(Record)
beam, non-focused search units should be used. Dual element
Vertical limit, in. (mm) or percent
of full screen height search units may provide better near-surface resolution and
Upper vertical linearity limit in. (mm) detection of small discontinuities. Generally, round or rectan-
or percent of full screen height gular search units are used for examination whereas round
Lower vertical linearity limit in. (mm)
or percent of full screen height search units with symmetrical sound beam patterns are used for
Ultrasonic sensitivity, hole size, evaluation. Typical search unit sizes range from 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm)
64 ths, distance, in (mm) in diameter to 1-1⁄8 in. (28.6 mm) in diameter with other sizes
Entry surface resolution, in. (mm)
Back surface resolution in. (mm) and shapes available for special applications. Search units may
Horizontal limit, in. (mm) or be fitted with contoured shoes to enhance coupling with curved
percent of full screen width surfaces.
Horizontal linearity range, in. (mm)
or percent of full screen width 7.1.4 Alarm(s)—For the examination of parts with regular
shape and parallel surfaces such as machined cylinders, rounds,

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 E1901 − 13
bars, forgings, etc. an audible/visual alarm may be used in greases should be used. Further, intermittent contact of the
conjunction with visual monitoring of the display for the search unit with the part surface or auxiliary cooling of the
detection of discontinuities or for the monitoring and detection search unit may be necessary to avoid temperature changes that
of loss of back surface reflection, or both. The alarm should be affect the ultrasonic characteristics of the search unit. At higher
adjustable to allow triggering at commonly required indication temperatures, certain couplants based on inorganic salts or
amplitudes, back-echo heights, and depths. During examina- thermoplastic organic materials, high-temperature delay mate-
tion the audible visual alarm shall be easily detectable by the rials (shoes) and search units that are not affected by high
operator. temperatures may be required.
7.1.4.1 When reduction in the amplitude of back-surface 7.2.3 Where constant coupling over large areas is required,
reflection is monitored simultaneously with the detection of as in automated examination, or where severe changes in
lower amplitude signals from small, discrete discontinuities, surface roughness are found, other methods of coupling such as
two separate gate/alarm systems are required. The negative liquid gap coupling will usually provide a better examination.
slaved alarm system may also provide for a significantly lower In this case, the search unit does not contact the examination
receiver gain at the gated depth to avoid back-echo saturation. surface, but is separated by a distance of about 0.02 in. (0.5
See 10.1 and 10.4. mm) filled with couplant. Liquid flowing through the search
7.1.4.2 For some applications it may be advantageous to unit mechanism fills the gap. The flowing liquid provides the
utilize a flaw gate system in which the echo-amplitude alarm coupling path and has the additional advantage of cooling the
level can be varied as a function of target depth. Refer to search unit if the examination surface is warm.
distance/amplitude gate (DAG) in 9.3.2.1. 7.2.4 Another means of direct contact coupling is provided
7.2 Couplant—A couplant, usually a liquid or semi-liquid, is by the wheel search unit. The search unit is mounted at the
required between the face of the search unit and the examina- correct angle to a stationary axle about which rotates a
tion surface to permit transmittance of ultrasound from the liquid-filled flexible tire. A minimum amount of couplant
search unit into the material under examination. Typical provides for ultrasonic transmission into the examination
couplants include water, cellulose gel, oil and grease. Corro- surface since the elastic tire material is in rolling contact and
sion inhibitors or wetting agents or both may be used. conforms closely to the surface.
Couplants selected must not be detrimental to the product or 7.3 Reference Standards—The production item itself may
the process. The same couplant used for standardization shall be an adequate standard using the height of the back-wall echo
be used for the examination. During the performance of a for reference. For more quantitative information, charts such as
contact ultrasonic examination, the couplant layer between Distance Gain Size (DGS, also known as AVG in German
search unit and examination material must be maintained such translation), representing distance-amplitude relationships of
that the contact area is held constant while maintaining known reflector sizes for a particular search unit, frequency
adequate couplant thickness. Lack of couplant that will reduce and material may be used for standardization and evaluation of
the effective contact area, or excess couplant, will reduce the discontinuities.
amount of energy transferred between the search unit and the 7.3.1 Reference Blocks—Ultrasonic reference blocks, often
examination surface. These couplant variations, in turn, result called test blocks, are used to standardize the ultrasonic
in examination sensitivity variations. equipment and to evaluate the indications received from
7.2.1 The couplant should be selected such that its viscosity discontinuities within the part. The ultrasonic characteristics of
is appropriate for the surface finish of the material to be the reference blocks such as attenuation, noise level, surface
examined. The examination of rough surfaces generally re- condition, and sound velocity, should be similar to the material
quires a high-viscosity couplant and will result in some to be examined. Standardization verifies that the instrument
deterioration of near-surface discontinuity detection. The tem- search unit is performing as required and establishes a detec-
perature of the material surface can change the couplant’s tion level for discontinuities.
viscosity as in the case of oil and grease. See Table 2 for the 7.3.2 Flat Blocks—The three most commonly used sets of
suggested viscosity of oil couplants for given surface rough- reference block are area-amplitude set, containing blocks with
nesses. the same material path and various sizes of reference reflectors;
7.2.2 At elevated temperatures as conditions warrant, heat- distance-amplitude set, containing blocks with one size refer-
resistant coupling materials such as silicone oils, gels, or ence reflector at various material distances; and a combination
including both area-amplitude and distance-amplitude blocks
TABLE 2 Suggested Viscosities-Oil Couplants in one set. These sets are described in Practices E127 and
E428.
NOTE 1—This table is a guide and is not meant to exclude the use of a
particular couplant that is found to work satisfactorily on a surface.
7.3.3 Curved Surfaces—Reference blocks with flat surfaces
may be used for establishing gain settings for examinations on
Approximate Surface Roughness Average Equivalent Couplant Viscosity
(Ra) µin. (µm) Weight Motor Oil concave test surfaces and convex surfaces with radii of
5-100 (0.1 to 2.5) SAE 10 curvature 4 in. (101.6 mm) or greater. For convex surfaces with
50-200 (1.3 to 5.1) SAE 20 radii of curvature less than 4 in. (101.6 mm) it is recommended
100-400 (2.5 to 10.2) SAE 30 that reference blocks with approximately the same nominal
250-700 (6.4 to 17.8) SAE 40
Over 700 (18+) Cup Grease radius of curvature shall be used. Guide E1158 illustrates
typical curved entry surface blocks.

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 E1901 − 13
7.4 Reference Reflectors—Flat-bottomed holes, (FBH), or 9.2 Where there is a difference in acoustic attenuation
other artificial discontinuities, located directly in the material, between the reference block and the production item, an
in a representative sample of the part or material, or in attenuation correction is required to compensate for the differ-
reference blocks, should be used to reference echo amplitude ence. The attenuation correction is accomplished by noting the
or to perform distance-amplitude correction (DAC), or both. difference between signals received from the back surfaces of
For most examinations, the bottom surface of a suitable the reference block and the production material having equal
flat-bottom hole is the common reference reflector. However, thickness, and correcting for this difference.
other types of artificial discontinuities (notches, side-drilled 9.3 Initial Standardization:
holes, areas of unbond or lack of fusion, etc.) may be used.
9.3.1 Standardization using the production part as the ref-
8. General Examination Requirements erence standard. Examinations may be conducted using the
production part as the reference standard. This technique
8.1 Material Condition—Unless otherwise agreed upon, the
generally applies to simple solid shapes with parallel or
surface finish of the article under examination shall not exceed
diametrically opposing surfaces. Using the gain control, the
250 µin. (6.4 µm) rms and shall be free from waviness that may
amplitude of the initial back echo reflection is established as a
affect the examination. Ultrasonic examination should be
percent of full screen height, normally 80 %, and this setting is
performed in the simplest configuration possible and after all
used to examine the part. This technique is suitable for the
operations that may cause a discontinuity. Examinations of
detection of planar discontinuities generally parallel to the
parts or material prior to machining is acceptable provided
entry surface and having a minimum extent equal to an
surface roughness and part geometry are within the tolerance
appreciable fraction of the cross sectional area of the trans-
specified in the written procedure. When it is determined that
ducer beam.
surface roughness or waviness, or both, precludes adequate
detection and evaluation of subsurface discontinuities, smooth 9.3.1.1 For some materials, attenuation curves on overlays
the areas in question by machining, grinding, or other means that fit over the display, and charts, such as (AVG/DGS)
prior to the examination. During examination and evaluation showing distance-amplitude relationships of known reflectors
ensure that entry surface free from loose scale, grinding are available. These techniques utilize information derived
particles, or other loose matter. theoretically or empirically and are specific to search unit size
and frequency. The AVG-DGS system provides a summary of
8.2 Coverage—In all examinations, perform scanning to the anticipated behavior of small and large reflectors and can
locate discontinuities that are oriented parallel with the entry be used to analyze the reflecting area of discontinuities as
surface, or plane, or both, approximately normal to the major compared to the back-echo reflection.
propagation direction that is parallel to the grain flow of the 9.3.2 Standardization—Determine the distance amplitude
part. relationship for the required set of distance-amplitude refer-
8.3 Resolution and Penetration—When the complete cali- ence blocks by positioning the search unit over the reference
bration and examination cannot be accomplished due to block that provides the greatest amplitude response from the
excessive noise levels (based on 3:1 signal-to-noise ratio) or reference reflector. Adjust the instrument controls (for the
material thicknesses, the examinations shall be performed from instruments so equipped), that is: pulse length, pulse repetition
opposite sides. Examinations conducted from opposite sides rate, damping, frequency, and tuning to achieve the required
shall provide for examination of a minimum of one-half resolution. The reject control shall be in the off position.
material thickness and shall provide for the resolution and Maximize, the indication from the reference block which
penetration necessary to detect the minimum size reflector at provides the greatest amplitude response from the reference
the minimum and maximum metal path distance. reflector by carefully positioning the transducer; adjust the gain
8.4 Ultrasonic Frequency—In general, the higher frequen- control to set the amplitude response at 80 % of the upper
cies provide a more directive sound beam and provide better vertical linearity limit. Without changing the instrument
resolution throughout the material cross section. The lower controls, maximize the amplitude of the reference reflector
frequencies provide better penetration and better detection of from each of the remaining reference blocks in the set and
misaligned planar discontinuities. For a particular examination mark their amplitude and horizontal sweep positions on the
select the frequency based on the material, the anticipated type display. Connect these points to form a curve. A typical
of discontinuities, and other specified examination require- distance amplitude curve is shown in Fig. 1.
ments. NOTE 3—A common practice is to connect the adjacent amplitude
points with straight lines. Normally, the curve is extrapolated to form a
9. Standardization of Equipment smooth curve or a straight line continuing at the same slope as the
9.1 Prior to examination, standardize the system in accor- previous data points until meeting the base line.
dance with the written procedure. Reference standard material 9.3.2.1 Distance/Amplitude Gate (DAG)—If the instrumen-
travel distance is normally selected for the thickness to be tation includes a flaw-gate alarm system in which the alarm
examined, or in the case of large cross sections, half-thickness threshold can be time-varied as a function of target depth, the
tests from opposing entry surfaces may be more appropriate. gate can serve both as an alarm and means for distance-
Reference standards may be selected from the distance- amplitude compensation. The alarm level is adjusted to corre-
amplitude sets listed in Practice E127 or Practice E428 or may spond to the distance-amplitude curve established by the
be fabricated as illustrated in Guide E1158. procedure in 9.3.2. The method used depends on the specific

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 E1901 − 13

FIG. 1 Typical Calibration Curve

features provided and the related operational instructions. In a time that there is a change in operators, search unit, cable,
system which directly displays the alarm level on an alternate power source (including new batteries) or when equipment
trace at the corresponding screen amplitude, then it is (only) malfunction is suspected.
necessary to adjust this trace to coincide with the curve 9.6.1 Criteria shall be established for acceptable rechecks
previously marked on the display. and equipment not meeting the criteria shall be removed from
9.3.3 Standardization with Distance-Amplitude service. All material examined since the last acceptable re-
Compensation—This is achieved by the use of electronic check shall be re-examined.
circuitry referred to as: time-variable amplifier gain typically
called distance amplitude correction (DAC), distance echo 10. Procedure
correction (DEC), time varying gain (TVG), time corrected
gain (TCG), or sensitivity time control (STC). Following the 10.1 The initial pulse and at least one back reflection shall
manufacturer’s instructions for the specific instrumentation, appear on the display while examining for discontinuities in
adjust the instrument controls so that the indication amplitude materials having parallel surfaces and diametrically opposing
of the reference reflector from each block is approximately surfaces. The total number of back reflections depends on
equal. Normally, the amplitude for the reflector from the block equipment, geometry and material type, information desired, or
with the lowest response is set at 80 % of the upper vertical operator preference. Reduction of an (unsaturated) back reflec-
linearity limit using the gain control and all the other responses tion or the (multiple back reflection pattern), during scanning is
are adjusted using the electronic circuitry controls. indicative of increased attenuation or scattering of the sound
beam by discontinuities, provided that the front and back
9.4 It should be recognized that near-field effects may cause surface roughness and parallelism of the production piece is
sensitivity inconsistencies when searching for discontinuities approximately the same as that of the standard. A back-gated
smaller than the effective beam diameter. Suitable delay-line attenuator may be used to provide an unsaturated back reflec-
search units, or other means such as examination from opposite tion during high-sensitivity examinations.
sides of the item, should be considered where the application
requires close scrutiny. When performing examinations in the 10.2 Examination Surface—Surfaces shall be uniform in
far field, it is recommended that compensation be made for the surface finish and free of loose scale and paint, weld spatter
acoustic attenuation of the material with respect to the refer- dirt, machining chips, and other foreign material. Waviness,
ence standard used to set the inspection sensitivity. For pits, gouges, and handling marks shall be such as to not
optimum examination performance, compensation should be interfere with the examination. Tightly adhering paint, scale, or
made for both near- and far-field effects. coatings may not necessarily need to be removed provided they
present uniform attenuation characteristics. The examination
9.5 For bond/unbond (fusion/lack of fusion) examinations, a surface must be adequate to permit ultrasonic examination at
reference standard shall be used that is geometrically and the specified sensitivity. If necessary, surfaces may be ground,
acoustically similar to the production item being examined and sanded, wire brushed, scraped, or otherwise conditioned for the
shall contain areas representing both bond (fused) and un- examination. Curved surfaces, either convex or concave may
bonded (not fused). be examined, however, the standardization system should
9.6 Standardization with respect to reference standards shall compensate for the effective change in the examination area,
be checked periodically to ensure that the ultrasonic system is and the propagation of a range of refraction angles in the
not changing. As a minimum, the system shall be checked each material, as compared to a flat reference standard.

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 E1901 − 13
10.3 Search Unit—The search unit frequency, unless other- predetermined path, by holding the part stationary while
wise specified is selected to provide the resolution and pen- moving the search unit, or by moving the part in relation to a
etrability required for the examination. The acoustic properties stationary search unit, or both. For automatic scanning, moni-
of the material and the minimum size and type of discontinuity tor coupling between the search unit and the part by monitoring
must be considered when selecting frequency. Higher frequen- the noise level or the back-echo amplitude, or both, or
cies will provide greater sensitivity and resolution capabilities, back-echo pattern.
but lesser penetration power; conversely, lower frequencies 10.4.3.1 Recorders—Automatic scanning systems may pro-
provide greater penetration power, but lesser sensitivity and vide A-Scan, B-Scan, and C-Scan recordings of the examina-
resolution. Factors limiting the use of higher frequencies are tion results with sufficient accuracy to permit locating the
the equipment and material properties. Use of lower frequen- regions of a part, from which indications were obtained,
cies is limited primarily by the loss of sensitivity. Geometry of without actually placing a mark on the part.
the part is the primary consideration for selecting the size of the 10.4.4 Indications—As scanning progresses, mark on the
search unit; however, like frequency, the size of the search unit part the locations of indications having amplitudes greater than
also effects resolution and length of the near and far fields. one-half of the reference response, or exceeding the threshold
Various types of straight-beam search units are commercially of the discontinuity alarm.
available offering advantages for specific applications. The 10.4.5 Loss of Back Reflection—As scanning progresses,
above statements should be considered when choosing the mark on the part the locations at which the back reflection is
search unit size, type, and frequency. When delay materials are below the specified value. Determine that the loss of back
used in the search unit, the standards and the examination reflection is not caused by part geometry or local surface
surface temperatures should be maintained within 25°F (14°C) roughness. Local surface roughness shall be conditioned in
to avoid large attenuation and velocity differences. accordance with 8.1.
NOTE 4—The largest diameter and highest frequency search units 11. Evaluation of Discontinuities
yielding the desired results should be used for maximum resolution and
good beam directivity. 11.1 When ultrasonic examinations are performed for the
10.4 Scanning—Scanning is accomplished using the same detection or evaluation of discontinuities, or both, reflectors not
instrument settings as used for standardization. Scanning may perpendicular to the ultrasonic beam may be detected at
be either continuous or intermittent, depending on the reduced amplitudes, with a distorted envelope depending upon
geometry, application, and specific requirements for the part the reflective area, whether it is curved or planar, whether it is
being examined. For continuous scanning, the search unit smooth or rough, perhaps with reflecting facets. Reflector
indexing or overlap must be adequate to provide for 100 % characteristics may also cause rapid shifts in apparent depth as
coverage, at an examination sensitivity throughout the thick- the search unit approaches or moves away from the low-
ness of the part that does not vary more than 10 % from that amplitude indication. Another effect of these reflectors is the
determined by optimizing on each of the reference reflectors. loss of back surface reflection which occurs when the discon-
Monitor coupling of the search unit to the part visually by tinuity lies directly between the search unit and the back
continually monitoring the display presentation. Adjust scan- surface. Reflectors detectable due to any of the foregoing
ning speed or pulse repetition rate, or both, to permit detection phenomena cannot be evaluated solely on signal amplitude and
of the smallest discontinuity referenced in the applicable may require evaluation using different frequencies and angled
specification. When desired or required, set the threshold level waves in order to obtain the maximum extent of the disconti-
of the discontinuity alarm at an agreed level below that of the nuity.
reference response or exceeding a present threshold level of the 11.2 During the evaluation of indications, maintain the same
discontinuity alarm. relative gain between the reference standard and the production
10.4.1 Back-Reflection Monitor—If desired or required the part. Make an evaluation of indications after obtaining the
back reflection may be monitored by adjusting the back- depth and the maximum obtainable amplitude response from
reflection echo at an amplitude in the unsaturated range (on the discontinuity. Indications are normally evaluated by com-
display). This adjustment may be accomplished using the gain paring the amplitude response from the discontinuity with the
adjustment or with instruments so equipped, using the back amplitude of a known reference reflector having approximately
echo gain adjustment that is normally part of the back echo the same material distance.
alarm circuitry. 11.2.1 The known reference reflector may be contained in a
10.4.2 Manual Scanning—Parts may require 100 % volu- reference block, may be machined in the part under test or may
metric examination or may require examination only in speci- be the part itself. The actual reflector may be a flat-bottomed
fied areas. For the area to be examined, mark the part into hole, side-drilled hole, or notches. The reference reflector may
grids. Hold the search unit in the hand and move over the also be the initial back echo or back echo pattern obtained from
surface of the production piece, index the search unit, and the part under test. Charts and curves, such as AVG-DGS may
continue until the entire grid has been scanned. Place an “X” in be used to compare amplitude indications from two reflectors
the grid indicating completion and scan the next grid. Continue when using the back-reflection technique.
until the entire part has been scanned. 11.3 Map discontinuity extremities larger than the search
10.4.3 Automatic Scanning—The search unit is held by a unit size. The half-amplitude technique is recommended for
suitable device and the production part is scanned along a mapping the apparent size (that is the reflecting surface seen by

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 E1901 − 13
the search unit) of discontinuities larger than the search unit. To contractual agreements, procedures, and reports. Include the
perform this technique, position the search unit over the following items in the examination report:
discontinuity such that maximum signal is obtained and note 12.1.1 Part identification,
the amplitude. Move the search unit in one direction until the 12.1.2 Operator’s name and certification level,
signal drops rapidly to the baseline on the display. Move the 12.1.3 Disposition of part and disposition date,
search unit back along the same path until the signal rises to 12.1.4 Instrument make, model, and serial number,
one half of the maximum amplitude that was noted. Place a 12.1.5 Search unit make, model, serial number, frequency,
mark on the part to coincide with the center position of the and diameter,
search unit; this mark will also coincide with the approximate 12.1.6 Couplant, cable type and length, manual/automatic
edge of the discontinuity. Repeat this procedure for other scanning,
directions as necessary to outline the discontinuity on the 12.1.7 Reference standard serial number(s), material trav-
surface of the part. Search units of different sizes and frequen- el(s) and flat-bottomed hole size(s),
cies may be used for mapping to obtain greater accuracy. 12.1.8 Standardization levels,
Special consideration shall be given to discontinuities when the 12.1.9 Procedure identification and acceptance criteria
signal amplitude drops to half the maximum amplitude and applied,
less, and remains at the lower amplitude over extended 12.1.10 Attenuation correction, if applicable, and
distances (for example; more than half the search unit diam- 12.1.11 Description of indications detected; number, type,
eter) and continuous discontinuities that move horizontally estimated size (minimum), length, depth, and location. For
along the base line (change in depth) as the search unit is unbond and lack of fusion examinations report extent of
scanned along the part. unbond/lack of fusion as percent of total surface area.
12. Report 13. Keywords
12.1 Document specific examination requirements, proce- 13.1 contact; evaluation; examination; procedure; pulse-
dural details, and results for a particular examination in written echo; straight-beam; ultrasonic

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee E07 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (E1901- 08)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Deleted “(grain)” in Section 7.3.

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