This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1962 − 19

Standard Practice for

Ultrasonic Surface Testing Using Electromagnetic Acoustic
Transducer (EMAT) Techniques1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1962; 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* 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-

1.1 This practice covers guidelines for utilizing EMAT dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
techniques for detecting material discontinuities that are pri- ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
marily open to the surface (for example, cracks, seams, laps, Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
cold shuts, laminations, through leaks, lack of fusion). This mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
technique can also be sensitive to flaws and discontinuities that Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
are not surface-breaking, provided their proximity to the
2. Referenced Documents
surface is less than or equal to the Rayleigh wave length.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2 This practice covers procedures for the non-contact
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
coupling of surface waves into a material via electromagnetic
Testing
fields.
E587 Practice for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Contact Testing
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1.3 The procedures of this practice are applicable to any
material in which acoustic waves can be introduced electro-
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1816 Practice for Measuring thickness by Pulse-Echo Elec-

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magnetically. This includes any material that is either electri- tromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Methods
cally conductive or ferromagnetic, or both. 2.2 ANSI/ASNT Standards:3
Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualifica-
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1.4 This practice is intended to provide examination capa-
bilities for in-process, final, and maintenance applications. tion and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
1.5 This practice does not provide standards for the evalu- cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel3
ation of derived indications. Interpretation, classification, and
ultimate evaluation of indications, albeit necessary, ASTM E1962-19
are beyond 2.3 AIA Standard:4
the scope of this practice. Separate specifications or agreement NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
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will be necessary to define the type, size, location, and Test Personnel
direction of indications considered acceptable or non- 2.4 ISO Standard:5
acceptable. ISO 9712 Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
1.6 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be 3. Terminology
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for 3.1 Definitions:
information only and are not considered standard. 3.1.1 Additional related terminology is defined in Terminol-
ogy E1316.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 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
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on Available from Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd.,
Ultrasonic Method. Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
5
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1962 – 14. DOI: Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
10.1520/E1962-19. Geneva, 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

1
 E1962 − 19
3.2.1 electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT), n—an practice, specially designed meander coils can be designed to
electromagnetic device for converting electrical energy into produce unidirectional waves.
acoustical energy in the presence of a magnetic field. 4.3 Fig. 2 illustrates a typical meander coil for generation of
3.2.2 Lorentz forces, n—applied to electric currents when surface waves. The following relationship must be valid for
placed in a magnetic field; Lorentz forces are perpendicular to Rayleigh wave generation with a meander coil:
both the direction of the magnetic field and the current
V R 5 2Df (1)
direction.
3.2.3 magnetostrictive forces, n—forces arising from mag- where:
netic domain wall movements within a magnetic material VR = Rayleigh wave velocity,
during magnetization, where magnetostrictive materials will D = separation of adjacent conductors, and
undergo a strain in the presence of a magnetic field. f = frequency.
3.2.4 meander coil, n—an EMAT coil consisting of periodic, 4.4 Surface flaws or discontinuities lead to reflection or
winding, non-intersecting, and usually evenly-spaced conduc- attenuation of the surface waves. Either pulse-echo or pitch-
tors. catch modes can be used. Upon approaching the receiver
EMAT, the reflected or attenuated ultrasonic waves produce
4. Summary of Practice oscillations within the conductor in the presence of the
4.1 The techniques outlined in this practice address the magnetic field and thus induce a voltage in the receiver coil
electromagnetic generation of Rayleigh acoustic wave modes (similar to an electric generator) allowing detection.
for sensitivity to surface or near-surface flaws or discontinui-
ties. Flaws are detected by reflection or attenuation of acoustic 5. Significance and Use
waves from interactions at discontinuity interfaces. 5.1 EMAT techniques show benefits and advantages over
4.2 Fig. 1 shows one typical EMAT setup for the generation conventional piezoelectric ultrasonic techniques in special
of Rayleigh waves. An external magnetic induction Bo parallel applications where flexibility in the type of wave mode
to the surface is applicable on ferromagnetic material. Other generation and where no fluid coupling is desired. EMATs are
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applications where B0 is perpendicular to the surface can also
be used if the coil design is appropriate. The magnetic field
highly efficient in the generation of surface waves.
5.2 Since EMATs are highly efficient in the generation of
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may be generated by a permanent magnet, a pulsed magnet, or
a DC electromagnet. A meander RF coil is oriented in the plane
surface waves, and since acoustic techniques utilizing surface
waves are proven effective for detecting surface and near-

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of and near the surface of the object to be tested. The magnetic surface discontinuities, they should be considered for any
field lines are tangential to the coil and perpendicular to the applications where conventional penetrant testing and mag-
conductor. The coil is excited by an RF toneburst pulse netic particle NDT techniques are effective but undesirable.
produced by a specialized EMAT pulser. A surface current is
5.3 Since EMAT techniques are non-contacting, they should
induced in the test sample by transformer action. The ASTM E1962-19
surface
current interacts with the external magnetic field by means of be considered for ultrasonic testing where applications involve
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automation, high-speed examinations, moving objects, appli-
the Lorentz force. The time varying magnetic field will also
interact with the ferromagnetic material to generate vibrations cations in remote or hazardous locations, applications to
via magnetostriction. This disturbance is transferred to the objects at elevated temperatures, or objects with rough sur-
lattice of the solid and is thus the ultrasonic source responsible faces.
for producing the surface acoustic waves. As shown in Fig. 1, 5.4 The purpose of this practice is to promote the EMAT
an ordinary meander coil produces bidirectional waves. In technique of the ultrasonic method as a viable alternative to

FIG. 1 Typical EMAT Configuration for Rayleigh Wave Generation

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 E1962 − 19
method sensitive to the attenuation of surface waves. The third
technique involves surface wave diffraction with focused
meander coils.
7.2 Pulse-Echo or Pitch-Catch Reflected Surface Wave
Technique—These techniques are analogous to conventional
FIG. 2 Typical EMAT Meander Coil for Generation of Surface
Waves ultrasonic techniques. The techniques use either one (pulse-
echo) or two (pitch-catch) EMAT sensors and rely upon the
reception of reflected surface waves from the flaw. The
conventional PT and MPT methods for detecting the presence advantage of these techniques is simplicity. One disadvantage
of surface and near-surface material discontinuities. is the difficulty in detecting all flaw orientations without
5.5 The use of EMATs and the selection of appropriate elaborate scanning routines. Also, when these techniques are
operating parameters presuppose a knowledge of the geometry used for weld applications, a problem arises in that the root and
of the component; the probable location, size, orientation, and crown of the weld can produce reflections that are prominent
reflectivity of the expected flaws; the allowable range of EMAT enough to interfere with and even obscure flaw signals. When
lift-off; and the laws of physics governing the propagation of such interferences are apparent, it is recommended that one of
ultrasonic waves. This procedure pertains to a specific EMAT the other two techniques described herein be utilized to avoid
surface inspection application. these problems.
7.3 Pitch-Catch Attenuation Technique—The attenuation
6. Basis of Application technique is most effectively applied using the arrangement of
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree- sensors illustrated in Fig. 3. The technique indicates the
ment between the parties using or referencing the standard: presence of a flaw by noting attenuation of the UT signal. The
6.1.1 Personnel Qualification sensors use small permanent magnets to generate narrow
6.1.1.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel surface wave beams that cross at right angles. The preferred
performing examination to this practice shall be qualified in technique requires two channels of EMAT instrumentation

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accordance with a nationally or internationally recognized
NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such as
although it may be modified for one-channel operation. To
implement one-channel operation, the distance between one
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, ISO 9712, or a transmitter receiver pair is increased slightly to displace the
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similar document and certified by the employer or certifying
agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used and its
two received signals in time. The transmitter coils are then
wired in series and the receiver coils are wired in series. This

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applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual agree-
ment between the using parties.
arrangement allows both pairs of EMAT coils to be used with
one channel of EMAT instrumentation. One advantage to the
6.1.2 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified attenuation technique is sensitivity to all flaw orientations.
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified Another advantage to using the attenuation technique is the
and evaluated as described in Practice E543. TheASTM E1962-19
applicable ability to scan both sides of a weld simultaneously. It also scans
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edition of Practice E543 shall be specified in the contractual large areas of the material in one scan. A disadvantage relates
agreement. to the beam width, which must be narrow or focused in order
6.1.3 Procedures and Techniques—The procedures and to achieve a minimum of 6 dB of attenuation.
techniques to be utilized shall be as specified in the contractual 7.4 Diffraction Technique—The basis of the diffraction tech-
agreement. nique is illustrated in Fig. 4. Two collinear focused EMATs
6.1.4 Surface Preparation—The pre-examination surface
preparation criteria shall be in accordance with 10.2.2 unless
otherwise specified.
6.1.5 Timing and Extent of Examination—Shall be specified
in the contractual agreement
6.1.6 Reporting Criteria/Acceptance Criteria—Reporting
criteria for the examination results shall be in accordance with
Section 12 unless otherwise specified. Acceptance criteria shall
be specified in the contractual agreement.
6.1.7 Reexamination of Repaired/Re-Worked Items—
Reexamination of repaired/re-worked items is not addressed in
this practice and, if required, shall be specified in the contrac-
tual agreement.

7. Techniques
7.1 This practice describes three separate techniques for
EMAT surface wave examination. The first involves pulse-
echo or pitch-catch techniques for the detection of reflected
surface waves. The second technique involves a pitch-catch FIG. 3 Attenuation Technique

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 E1962 − 19

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FIG. 4 The Diffraction Technique

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(transmitter and receiver) or one pulse-echo EMAT are posi- Preview
an impedance matching network, a preamplifier (preferred),
tioned at an angle (the diffraction angle) with respect to the and a well shielded cable from the pulser/receiver to the sensor.
normal to the weld centerline. The weld root and crown act as 8.2 Coil Design:
a specular reflector whose signals are reflected away ASTM E1962-19
from the 8.2.1 A meander coil is used to produce surface waves. Coil
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EMAT receiver. The flaw is, however, detected over a wide design and conductor spacing required to produce a given
angular range by means of diffraction. Depending upon the size frequency have been discussed in 4.3. The coil may be focused
of the flaw relative to the ultrasonic wavelength, it acts as or nonfocused depending upon the technique being used and
either a point diffractor or a series of point diffractors. A natural the desired resolution and sensitivity. Fig. 5 gives an example
flaw such as a fatigue crack has a series of facets and branches of typical design parameters for a focused coil, similar to that
that act as point diffractors. Therefore, it is typically possible to used for the diffraction technique. Many EMAT coils are
detect the presence of a natural flaw several inches long with flexible printed circuits produced by photoetching on a poly-
this technique. Surface waves can be focused to a region amide substrate. The surface of the coil can be backed with a
approximating a point focus (a region approaching a wave- thin layer of foam and covered with a thin (0.001 to 0.005 in.
length as a limit). It is frequently advantageous to have a (0.025 to 0.127 mm)) wearplate of high molecular weight
reasonable focal depth to increase the area covered with each polyethylene or titanium. The purpose of the wearplate is to
linear scan. For many welds, it is possible to scan one half of maintain a constant liftoff for the EMAT coil. The wearplate
the weld crown from each side of the weld. A single EMAT should be pliable and conform to irregular or curved surfaces.
sensor is sensitive to all orientations except possibly a crack The polyamide substrate usually has a thickness of 0.001 or
parallel to the incident beam. Therefore, two sensors with 0.002 in. (0.025 or 0.051 mm). For “as welded” crowns, the
positive and negative diffraction angles will be sensitive to all selected frequency for any of the techniques should be no
flaw orientations. greater than necessary in order to minimize the response to
surface roughness from the weld.
8. Apparatus 8.2.2 A typical operating frequency for the diffraction tech-
8.1 The apparatus may be considered to consist of the nique is 1 MHz. A typical frequency used for the attenuation
EMAT sensor and the EMAT instrumentation. The sensor technique is 2 MHz. A coil that might be used for the
consists of an RF coil and a source of magnetic field. The attenuation technique is shown in Fig. 6. The extensions to the
instrumentation consists of a tone burst pulser/receiver, a data polyamide substrate fasten to the magnet keeper in the me-
acquisition system or display device such as an oscilloscope, chanical fixture.