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: E2580 − 17

Standard Practice for

Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich
Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2580; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* and the other receives the longitudinal wave in the range of 0.5
1.1 This practice establishes two procedures for ultrasonic MHz to 20 MHz (see Fig. 2). This procedure requires access to
testing (UT) of flat panel composites and flat sandwich core both sides of the specimen. This procedure is automated and
panels (parallel surfaces). Typical as-fabricated lay-ups include the examination results are recorded.
uniaxial, cross ply and angle ply laminates; as well as honey- 1.4 This practice does not specify accept-reject criteria.
comb sandwich core materials. These procedures can be used 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
throughout the life cycle of the materials; product and process safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
design optimization, on line process control, after manufacture responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
inspection, and in service inspection. Contact methods such as priate safety, health, environmental practices and determine
angle-beam techniques using shear waves, or surface-beam the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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techniques using Lamb waves, are not discussed. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 Ultrasonic testing is a common subsurface method for dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
detection of laminar oriented discontinuities. Two techniques ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
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can be considered based on panel surface accessibility; pulse
echo for one sided and through transmission (bubblers/
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical

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squirters) for two sided. As used in this practice, both require
the use of a pulsed straight-beam ultrasonic longitudinal wave
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

followed by observing indications of either the reflected 2. Referenced Documents

(pulse-echo) or received (through transmission) wave. The
ASTM 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
E2580-17
general types of anomalies detected by both techniques include C274 Terminology of Structural Sandwich Constructions
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4bc77c8f-59e2-44f5-adac-66d3dde84049/astm-e2580-17
foreign materials, delamination, disbond/un-bond, fiber de- (Withdrawn 2016)3
bonding, inclusions, porosity, and voids. D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
1.3 This practice provides two ultrasonic test procedures. D5687/D5687M Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite
Each has its own merits and requirements for inspection and Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Prepara-
shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual document. tion
1.3.1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo (non-contacting and E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
contacting), is at a minimum a single transducer transmitting Testing
and receiving a longitudinal wave in the range of 0.5 to 20 E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced
MHz (see Fig. 1). This procedure requires access to only one Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases (With-
side of the specimen. This procedure can be conducted by drawn 2015)3
automated or manual means. Automated and manual test E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
results may be imaged or recorded. E1434 Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-
1.3.2 Test Procedure B, Through Transmission, is a combi- Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases (Withdrawn
3
nation of two transducers. One transmits a longitudinal wave 2015)

1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Ultrasonic Method. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2580 - 12. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E2580-17. www.astm.org.

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

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 E2580 − 17

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FIG. 1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo Apparatus Set-up

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ASTM E2580-17
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FIG. 2 Test Procedure B, Through Transmission Apparatus Set-up

E1471 Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core 2.3 AIA Standard:5
Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases NAS-410 NAS Certification & Qualification of Nondestruc-
(Withdrawn 2015)3 tive Test Personnel
2.2 SAE Standards:4 2.4 ASNT Standards:6
ARP 5605 Solid Composite Laminate NDI Reference SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
Standards, Issued 2001-09 cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ARP 5606 Composite Honeycomb NDI Reference
Standards, Issued 2001-09 5
Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.

4 6
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.

2
 E2580 − 17
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi- applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual agree-
cation or Nondestructive Testing Personnel ment between the using parties.
2.5 ISO Standard:7 6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified
ISO 9712 NDT–Qualification and Certification of NDT in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified
Personnel in the Applicable Product Sector “Aerospace” and evaluated as described in Specification E543. The appli-
cable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in the
3. Terminology contractual agreement.
3.1 Definitions—Terminology in accordance with Termi- 6.4 Surface Preparation—The pre-examination surface
nologies C274, E1316, and D3878 shall be used where preparation criteria shall be in accordance with 8.4, unless
applicable. otherwise specified.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 6.5 Timing of Examination—The timing of examination
3.2.1 flat panel composite, n—any fiber reinforced compos- shall be in accordance with 8.2 and 8.3, unless otherwise
ite lay-up consisting of laminate (plies) with one or more specified.
orientations with respect to some reference direction that are
consolidated by press or autoclave to yield a two- 6.6 Extent of Examination—The extent of examination shall
dimensionally flat article of finite thickness. be in accordance with 8.5 unless otherwise specified.
3.2.2 sandwich core material, n—a structural panel made up 6.7 Reporting Criteria/Acceptance Criteria—Reporting cri-
of two relatively thin outer skins of composite laminate or teria for the examination results shall be in accordance with
other material, such as metal or wood, separated by and bonded 14.1 unless otherwise specified. Since acceptance criteria (for
to a relatively thick lightweight inner core such as honeycomb, example, for reference radiographs) are not specified in this
open and close cell foam, wave formed material, bonded standard, they shall be specified in the contractual agreement.
composite tubes, or naturally occurring material such as balsa 6.8 Reexamination of Repaired/Reworked Items—
wood. Reexamination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in
this standard and if required shall be specified in the contrac-
4. Summary of Practice
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4.1 This practice describes two procedures for detecting
tual agreement.

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anomalies in flat panel composite and flat sandwich core panels
7. Equipment and Materials
using ultrasonic longitudinal waves coupled by either contact
7.1 Equipment

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(Procedure A) or bubbler/squirter (Procedure B). Equipment,
7.1.1 Operation—Test equipment shall be capable of pro-
reference blocks, examination and evaluation procedures, and
viding uniform, repeatable, and controlled operation.
documentation are described in detail.
7.1.2 Electronic Equipment—The electronic equipment
should be capable of producing and processing electronic
5. Significance and Use ASTM E2580-17 signals at frequencies in the range of search unit frequencies
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5.1 This practice is intended primarily for the testing of flat being used.
panel composites and sandwich core panels to an acceptance 7.1.3 Search Unit(s)—The search unit(s) selected should be
criteria most typically specified in a purchase order or other compatible with the electronic equipment being used and with
contractual document. the material to be inspected. The search unit should match the
5.2 Basis of Application—There are areas in this practice intended squirter(s) or contact. Only straight-beam (longitudi-
that require agreement between the cognizant engineering nal) search units, with flat or focused acoustic lenses, should be
organization and the supplier, or specific direction from the used.
cognizant engineering organization. 7.1.4 Alarm—The alarm or threshold level should be adjust-
able to allow triggering at any commonly required level of
6. Basis of Application indication amplitude. Alarms are not required on systems that
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree- record amplitude recordings.
ment between the parties using or referencing this standard. 7.1.5 Alarm Gate Synchronization—In the pulse echo mode
ensure that the alarm gate tracks the inspection area. The gate
6.2 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the Contractual should lock on the first interface pulse from the test piece rather
agreement, personnel performing examinations to this standard than on the initial pulse from the system. In the through
shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally or interna- transmission mode the alarm gate should be wide enough to
tionally recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or cover any negative or positive movement (left to right) in the
standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, horizontal plane.
or similar document and certified by the employer or certifying
7.1.6 Manipulating Equipment should be provided to ad-
agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used and its
equately support the search tube(s) and allow angular adjust-
ment in two mutually perpendicular planes. The search unit
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manipulator shall be capable of providing the adjustments
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, necessary to properly position the search unit during testing.
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. The scanning and indexing apparatus should have sufficient