NDT Corrosion Control Services Co.

Dammam – Saudi Arabia Date: 15th AUG 2023

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

INDEX
SL# CONTENT PAGE NO
1 Scope 2
2 Purpose 2
3 Reference Standard 2
4 Personnel Qualification 2
5 Equipment 2
5.1 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector: A-Scan and D-meter with A-Scan Display 2
5.2 Transducer Sclection 2
5.3 Couplant 2
5.4 Calibration Block 3
6 Surface preparation 3
7 Equipment Calibration 3
7.1 General 3
7.2 Calibration 3
7.3 Straight beam calibration for A-Scan Flaw detector 4
7.4 Straigh beam calibration for Lamination check 4
7.5 Calibration for D-meter WITH a-Scan display 4
7.6 Stright Beam for Lamination checks 5
7.7 Calibration for D-Meters with A-Scan display 6
8 Measurement 6
9 Post Cleaning 7
10 Reporting 7
Attachment-I: Velocity Chart 8
Attachment-2: UTT Report Format 9

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 NDT Corrosion Control Services Co.
Dammam – Saudi Arabia Date: 15th AUG 2023

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

1 SCOPE
This procedure shall be applicable to all structural materials pipeline materials, piping
spools and joints, tanks, vessels, and plates made of carbon steel and alloyed steel.

2 PURPOSE
This procedure describes the techniques adopted for measurement of material
thickness and laminations checking by Ultrasonic Method using flaw detectors
equipped with A-Scan display.

3 REFERENCE STANDARD

1. AWS D1.1- 2020 Edition

2. ANSI/ASME Sec. V – Art 5 2021 Edition
3. ANSI/ASME SEC. V – Art 23 SE 797 2021 Edition
4. ASME B 31.1 – 2022 Edition
5. ASME B 31.3 – 2022 Edition
6. API 650 - 12th Edition Addendum 3
7. API 620 - 12th Edition Addendum 2
8. ASME Sec VIII Div I. II & II – 2021 Edition.
9. NDT/CERT/01 (Latest Rev.): Procedure for Qualification & Certification of NDT
Personnel.
10. Operating and Instruction Manuals from Krautkramer/GE and Olympus for
respective UT Machines.
11. ANSI/ ASNT CP-189 -2020 Edition
12. JERES-W 11 – REV04
4 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION
Personnel performing this procedure shall have been certified as per the procedure
NDT/cert/01 (latest rev) and ANSI/ASNT CP -189.

Personnel qualified to UT level II or UTT level II shall be approved by SATORP.

5 EQUIPMENT
5.1 ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTOR: (A-SCAN), ULTRASONIC D-METER WITH A-SCAN
The examination shall be conducted with a pulse echo ultrasonic instrument OLYMPUS
EPOCH XT, GE USM 36 or equivalent capable of generating frequencies over the
ranges of at least 1 MHz to 5 MHz or equivalent and the instrument shall be equipped
with a stepped gain control calibrated in units of 2 dB or less. For thru coat thickness
measurements instruments such as Olympus Model 38DL+, MG2XT (having software for
thru coat) with compatible transducers such as D 790 can be used. For more details
user’s manual need to be referred.

5.2 TRANSDUCER SELECTION

Olympus D790 can be selected for high temp up to 300deg C.

Other probes are MSCB4 Dual crystal and D1 401 Dual crystal Transduces are selected
for normal temperatures.

5.3 COUPLANTS:
Motor Oil, grease, cellulose gel shall be used as a couplant as indicated in the
operating manuals of UT Machines. couplants shall be selected with due consideration
towards the temperature of the examination surface. High Temperature couplant shall
Echo 8 HT & Sono 900 and other equivalent.

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Dammam – Saudi Arabia Date: 15th AUG 2023

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

5.4 CALIBRATION BLOCKS:

Calibration blocks shall be of known thickness and of the same material specification
as the material under examination. Example of the calibration block is shown in below.

10 mm
8 mm
6 mm
4 mm
2 mm

The temperature of the calibration block and the surface to be examined shall be
within 14 degrees Celsius of each other.

Step wedges shall have a thickness step near the minimum range to be examined, a
step near the maximum range to be examined and a step in between the minimum
and maximum.

6 SURFACE PREPARARION

6.1 The base metal on each side of the weld shall be free of weld spatter, surface irregularities, of
foreign matter that night interfere with the examination.
6.2 Ensure that the surfaces to be examined are clean and free of any materials which will interfere
with the transmission of the sound into the material under examination.
6.3 The condition of the examination surface shall be determined by the examiner to be acceptable
for UT examination.
6.4 The temperature of the examination surface shall be determined to ensure that the correct
transducer and couplant has been selected.

7 EQIPMENT CALIBRATION
7.1 GENERTAL
7.1.1 The requirements of screen height linearity and amplitude control linearity shall be met with
intervals not to Exceed Three months for analog type instruments and one year for digital type
instruments, or prior to first use.
7.1.2 The screen height linearity evaluation and amplitude control linearity evaluation shall be
performed in accordance with procedure WI 111-1
(Work instruction-111-1)
7.2 GAIN CONTROL LNEARITY
The ultrasonic instrument shall provide linear vertical presentation within +/-5% of the
full screen height for 20% to 80% of the calibrated screen height. The screen height
linearity evaluation shall be met with intervals not to exceed three months for analog
type instruments and one year for digital type instruments, prior to first use. During
Inspection Technicians shall be varify gain control linearity every 4 hours.
Table: 6.2
Indication limit of % full screen Height
Gain [dB] Expected screen height [%]
(%)
+2 101 Not Less than 95
0 80 Reference Line
- 6 dB 40 37% to 43

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

- 12 dB 20 17 to 23
-18 dB 10 8 to 12

7.3 TIME BASE OR HORIZONTAL LNEARITY

Horizontal linearity of the time base shall be checked by using IIW -V1 block. The length of the
time base chosen shall be appropriate to the part to be tested. The time base shall be adjusted
to at least four multiple echoes from the IIW block by using single crystal normal beam transducer
or angle beam transducer. The multiple echoes shall be adjusted in such a way that the leading
edges of the second echo and the last, but one coincides with the required major divisions of
the horizontal time base scale. The equipment suppression level shall be set at ‘0’ level while
performing the horizontal time base linearity check. When measuring their position against the
amplitude, the echoes shall be brought to the same amplitude height preferably 80% of FSH. The
time base shall be considered non-linear, if the deviation of any of the amplitude position
exceeds ± 2% of the selected range or one minor sub-division. This time base linearity shall be
verified, at the start of each working shift or/and every 4hours.
Further any variation on the position of echo with ≤2 % of full screen width, setting shall be
corrected before testing is continued. If the Echo position exceeds 2% of full screen width setting
shall be corrected and testing carried out with the equipment over the previous period shall be
repeated.
7.4 CALIBRATION
7.4.1 The proper functioning of the examination system shall be checked, and the equipment shall be
calibrated by the use of the calibration standard at the beginning and end of each shift; every
four (4) hours during the examination; when examination personnel are changed; when any
equipment is changed; and at any time that malfunctioning is suspected.
7.4.2 Calibration blocks shall be at ambient temperature during calibration. Calibration blocks shall
not be cooled or heated for cryogenic or high temperature applications. A low viscosity
couplant such as Ultra gel II shall be used for calibration. High viscosity couplants are not
acceptable for calibration but are usually required for high temperature measurements.
7.4.3 The equipment shall be calibrated using a two-point calibration range that overlaps the
expected measurement range, i.e., select a calibration block or step wedge thickness value
greater than the maximum expected measurement value and a calibration block or step
wedge value less than the expected measurement value.
7.4.4 Apply couplant to the step wedge or calibration blocks and apply firm steady pressure to the
transducer during calibration.
7.4.5 All calibration values shall be within ±0.05 inch of the known thickness value.
7.4.6 If at the end of the shift the instrument has drifted more than 0.05 inches consideration should be
given to retaking all of the measurements since the last calibration.
7.4.7 Button-type calibration blocks, on the front of ultrasonic thickness gauges, shall not be used for
calibration.
7.5 STRAIGHT BEAM CALIBRATION FOR A -SCAN FLAW DETECTORS
7.5.1 A-Scan instrument without digital display
7.5.2 Select a calibrated step block (1-10, 2-20 or suitable thickness, which the anticipated thickness
range).
7.5.3 Take the highest thickness in the step block and couple the probe on it. With range and delay
control knobs the left edge of the echo can be set at CRT position 10.

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7.5.4 Take any other lower step of known thickness to on the block and couple the probe on it. With
range and delay control knobs set the left edge of the echo at … appropriate on horizontal
position trace on CRT.
7.5.5 Now horizontal range of the machine has been set to the desired range. Adjust the gate such
that the left edge of the 1st switch wall echo from the material whose thickness is to be measured
is just outside the right edge of the gate.
7.5.6 During scanning sound alarm is switched on such that comes the gate alarm will go on. That will
indicate in that particular area thickness is less than the nominal wall thickness. Extent of
reduction on thickness can be calculated from the machine.
7.5.7 A-Scan instrument with digital display
7.5.8 Determine the anticipated thickness to be examined and select a calibration block which
includes that thickness range.
7.5.9 Select proper unit of length on the machine setup (either in inch or mm) depending on
calibration block as well as the unit in which final measurement is to be done.
7.5.10 Set the proper sound velocity in the instrument i.e., 5920 meter/sec. for plain carbon steel.
7.5.11 Place the transducer on the thinner section of the calibration block and adjust the delay until
the left edge of the indication aligns with the correct CRT increment.
7.5.12 Place the transducer on the thicker section of the calibration block and adjust the range control
until the left edge of the indication aligns with the correct CRT.
7.5.13 Replace the above steps until both indications appear on their respective increments.
7.5.14 Adjust the gate to display the thickness of the selected step. If the thickness displayed is not
correct repeat the above steps.
7.6 STRAIGHT BEAM FOR LAMINATION CHECK
7.6.1 The scanning of adjacent base metal shall be performed to detect reflector that might affect
interpretation of angle beam result. Location and areas of such reflectors shall be recorded.
7.6.2 The base metal shall be scanned, where required by the referencing code section, to the extent
possible with the scanning zone until angle beam search unit. The scanning shall be performed
at a gain setting of at least 2 times the primary reference level. Evaluation shall be performed
with respect to the primary reference level.
7.6.3 As far as practicable, subject the entire volume of the plate lamination to ultrasonic examination.
Because of radii at change of sections and other local configurations, it may be impossible to
examine some sections of a plate lamination.
7.6.4 Perform the ultrasonic examination after heat treatment for mechanical properties (exclusive of
stress-relief treatments) but prior to drilling holes, cutting keyways, tapers, grooves, or machining
sections to contour. If the configuration of the Plate required for the treatment for mechanical
properties prohibits a subsequent complete examination of the plate lamination, it shall be
permissible to examine prior to treatment for mechanical properties. In such cases, reexamine
the Plate ultrasonically as completely as possible after heat treatment.
7.6.5 To ensure complete coverage of the plate volume, index the search unit with at least 15 %
overlap with each pass. For manual scanning, do not exceed a scanning rate of 6 in./s [150
mm/s]. if found any laminations shall be evaluated by 6dB/20db method as per the client
requirement, If not technicians shall be prefer 20dB method for sizing the defects.

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

Figure 7.4 : Straight probe scaning

7.7 CALIBRATION FOR D-METERS WITH A-SCAN DISPLAY:
D-meters calibration shall be performed as per the manufacturer recommendation specified in
the respective operation Manuel.
8 MEASUREMENT

8.1 For proper sound coupling the transducer must be pressed firmly against the test surface in the
same way it was followed during calibration. on small diameter cylindrical surfaces such as pipes,
hold the transducer so that the sound barrier material visible on the probe face is aligned
perpendicular to the central axis of the pipe.
8.2 While firm hand pressure on the transducer is necessary for good readings, the probe should
never be scraped along or twisted against a rough metal surface. this will scratch the face of
the transducer and eventually degrade performance. the safest technique for moving a
transducer along a rough surface is to pick it up and reposition it for each measurement, not to
slide it along.
8.3 Examinations shall be conducted from the od surface or id surface, as applicable.
8.4 If the surface temperature is below 32°f (0°c) or above 215°f (101°c), the surface temperature
shall be measured and recorded.
8.5 Apply couplant to the probe or the specimen surface. for high temperature measurements,
couplant always applied on probe space.
8.6 The transducer acoustic barrier shall be placed perpendicular to the centre axis when taking
measurements on pipe or round objects up to 24 inches in diameter. the acoustic barrier
orientation is not important on pipe and round objects greater than 24 inches in diameter.
8.7 The transducer shall be held flat on the surface then slowly rocked tangentially after contact to
find the lowest reading. all digital readings shall be verified by viewing the a-scan presentation
on the instrument as doubling effects can give false readings on digital outputs. the lowest
reading shall be recorded. for difficult readings, additional gain may be required to avoid
grinding the transducer into the surface.
8.8 Valid reading is one that can be maintained on the gauge display for several seconds and the
value is steady within ± 0.05 mm.
8.9 Thickness readings shall be measured and recorded to three decimal places.
8.10 High temperature materials up to about 540°c can be measured with specially designed
instruments with high temperature compensation, search unit assemblies and couplants.
normalization for apparent thickness readings for elevated temperature is required. a rule of
thumb often used is as follows. the apparent thickness reading obtained from steel walls having
elevated temperatures is high (too thick) by a factor about 1% per 55°c. thus if the instrument

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

was standardized on a piece of similar material at 20°c, and if the reading was obtained with a
surface temperature of 460°, the apparent reading should be reduced by 8 %. this correction is
an average one for many types of steel. in short, the difference of environmental temperature &
the job surface temperature needs to be considered. the below formula may be used for
temperature correction.
TA = TM X [ 1.0038-(0.00018 X Temp) ]
where TA = Actual thickness of the part in mm.
TM = Measured thickness of the part in mm.
Temp = Surface temperature in °C.

8.11 The transducer face shall be cleaned before each measurement at temperatures greater than
400°f or 204°celsius. as evaporated couplant can leave deposits on the transducer face.

8.12 Use the "touch test" to monitor the transducer temperature. if the transducer face is too hot to
be held against your skin, then it shall be cooled in air or water prior to taking readings.
8.13 For thru coat thickness measurements instruments such as Olympus model 37 DL plus, 45MG 2XT,
MG 2X (having software for thru coat) with compatible transducers can be used. for more details
user’s manual need to be referred
9 POST CLEANING

All couplant applied on the surface shall be completely removed from the specimen by wiping
with a dry absorbent cloth or paper towel, fresh water wash etc.
10 REPORTING

All measurements are recorded in Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement report, a format of which is
shown in attachement-1.
After filling up the complete report it should be countersigned by client’s inspector and filed for
future reference.
On the basis of customer requirement, customer report format can be used for spot thickness
measurement reporting

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

Attacment-I: VELOCITY CHART

Material Longitudinal Wave Velocity Share Wave Velocity
(VL) Meter/Sec (Vs) Meter/Sec
Carbon steel 5940 3240
Alloy steel - Annealed 5950 3260
Stainless steels 5740
Type 302 5660 3120
Type 304L 5640 3070
Type 347 5740 3100
Type 410 5390 2990
Type 430 6010 3360
Nonferrous metals
Aluminium 1100-O 6350 3100
Aluminium alloy 2117-T4 6250 3100
Copper 110 4700 2260
Copper alloys
260 (cartridge brass, 70%) 3830 2005
464 to 467 (naval brass) 4460 2120
752 (nickel silver 65-18) 4620 2320
510 (phosphor bronze, 5% A) 3530 2230
Lead
Pure 5630 2960
Inconel 5820 3020
Inconel X-750 5940 3120
Monel 5350 2720
Titanium, commercially pure 6100 3120
Tungsten 5180 2870
Nonmetals
Air 330 ..
Ethylene glycol 1660 ..
Water 1490 …
Ice 3980 1990

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASURMENT PROCEDURE

Attachment-II: UTT Report format

NDT CORROSION CONTROL SERVICES CO Form-NDT/UTT/16

rev-0

C.R. 2050006867, P.O. Box 322, Dammam - 31411, K.S.A.

Tel. +966-3-8468328, 8417464, Fax: 8468353, E-mail: info@ndtcorrosion.com

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASUREMENT REPORT

Customer: Tag No./Job Requested by: Report No.: Page ____

No. of_____

Place of Inspection: Time of Inspection: Date of Inspection:

Reference Procedure: Material Specification:

UT M/C Model Sr. No.: Calibration due Probe Description: Frequency: Size:
on:

Surface Temperature/ Condition: Ref. Calibration Drawing No.:

Block:

Description of Component examined:

ORIGINAL
TML NO. THICKNESS AS OBSERVED THICKNESS READING (mm) REMARKS
(mm)

Other
0 90 180 270 E W S N
Location

Inspection findings and recommendation:

Signature: Signature: Signature:

Name: _____________________ Name: _____________________ Name: _____________________

Ultrasonic Technician (Level II) Verified by NDT Engr./Specialist

Note: 0°, 90°, 180° & 270° are in clockwise direction with respect to the flow

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