E127
E127
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for fabricating aluminum alloy ultrasonic standard reference blocks that can be used
for checking performance of ultrasonic testing equipment and
for standardization and control of ultrasonic tests of aluminum
alloy products using pulsed longitudinal waves introduced into
test material either by the direct-contact method or by the
immersion method. A recommended procedure for checking
blocks is described and calibration data for a number of
reference blocks are tabulated. Statements concerning procedures are provided without a discussion of the technical
background for the preference. The necessary technical background can be found in Refs. (1-15).2
NOTE 1Practice E 428 and Guide E 1158 also describe procedures for
selecting material, fabricating blocks, and checking response. Unlike this
practice, there is no requirement for evaluation relative to a specified
standard target.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on
Ultrasonic Method.
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally
approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E 127 - 05.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this practice.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 127 06
materials and curved surfaces without special compensation.
Also see (3) for cautions regarding use of standard blocks for
test standardization.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Aluminum alloy stock is ultrasonically evaluated to
ensure freedom from significant discontinuities and is then
precisely fabricated into cylindrical blocks of prescribed
lengths. A single, flat-bottom hole of specific diameter is drilled
to a constant depth into the end of each block at its center, and
the blocks are grouped into sets according to hole size and
block length, or metal distance.
4.2 Each block is checked ultrasonically using a calibrated
ultrasonic test system at a prescribed test frequency. Distanceamplitude and area-amplitude characteristics are established
for sets of fabricated blocks using specific reflectors to provide
a standard response. Curves are plotted to establish the
interrelationship between the various blocks in the sets.
4.3 To permit the use of instrumentation similar to that
originally used in developing this practice, or types more
recently manufactured, two alternative test system calibration
procedures are described. The first method (ball-to-block)
which utilizes steel balls as reference standards, is covered in
11.8.2. The second method (block-to-block), which requires as
reference standards, blocks which have been calibrated by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is
described in Annex A1.4
6.2.2 Area-Amplitude SetThe area-amplitude set consisting of eight ultrasonic standard reference blocks is listed in
Table 3. Area-amplitude relationships are obtained by intercomparison of any three or more blocks with different flat
bottom-hole sizes at the same metal distance from front surface
to hole bottom.
6.2.3 Distance-Amplitude SetA distance-amplitude set
may include any convenient number of the reference blocks
shown in Table 4 and does not necessarily include all blocks
listed. A recommended distance-amplitude set contains at least
12 blocks, and each set contains only one of the three hole sizes
shown in Table 4. Blocks comprising the 19 block distanceamplitude sets, which are customarily supplied commercially,
are indicated in Table 4. Increments of metal distance in each
of the three groups of blocks in the recommended set should be
3-0300
5-0012
5-0025
5-0050
5-0075
5-0150
5-0300
5-0600
8-0300
8-0600
4
Measurement services to determine the ultrasonic response of reference blocks
intended to meet the requirements of this practice are available from several
commercial testing laboratories.
Hole
Diameter
(A)
ths
in.
1 64
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
8
8
Metal
Distance
(B)
Overall
Length
(C)
in.
mm
in.
mm
3.000
0.125
0.250
0.500
0.750
1.500
3.000
6.000
3.000
6.000
76.2
3.2
6.4
12.7
19.0
38.1
76.2
152.4
76.2
152.4
3.750
0.875
1.000
1.250
1.500
2.250
3.750
6.750
3.750
6.750
95.2
22.2
25.4
31.8
38.1
57.2
95.2
171.4
95.2
171.4
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TABLE 2 Diameter of Flat-Bottom Holes in Inch-Pound Units and
the Nearest Metric Drill Hole Diameter
NOTE 1Ratio of the area of the nearest metric drill size to the area of
the inch-pound drill size is 1.016 throughout.
1/64
2/64
3/64
4/64
5/64
6/64
7/64
8/64
0.40
0.80
1.20
1.60
2.00
2.40
2.80
3.20
0006B
0012B
0025B
0038B
0050B
0062B
0075B
0088B
0100B
0125B
0150
0175B
0200
0225B
0250
0275B
0300
0325B
0350
0375B
0400
0425B
0450
0475B
0500
0525B
0550
0575B
0600
0625
0650
Hole
Diameter
(A)
ths
in.
1 64
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Metal
Distance
(B)
Overall
Length
(C)
in.
mm
in.
mm
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.000
76.2
76.2
76.2
76.2
76.2
76.2
76.2
76.2
3.750
3.750
3.750
3.750
3.750
3.750
3.750
3.750
95.3
95.3
95.3
95.3
95.3
95.3
95.3
95.3
in.
mm
in.
mm
0.0625
0.125
0.250
0.375
0.500
0.625
0.750
0.875
1.000
1.250
1.500
1.750
2.000
2.250
2.500
2.750
3.000
3.250
3.500
3.750
4.000
4.250
4.500
4.750
5.000
5.250
5.500
5.750
6.000
6.250
6.500
1.6
3.2
6.4
9.5
12.7
15.9
19.1
22.2
25.4
31.8
38.1
44.5
50.8
57.2
63.5
69.9
76.2
82.6
88.9
95.3
101.6
108.0
114.3
120.7
127.0
133.4
139.7
146.1
152.4
158.8
165.1
0.812
0.875
1.000
1.125
1.250
1.375
1.500
1.625
1.750
2.000
2.250
2.500
2.750
3.000
3.250
3.500
3.750
4.000
4.250
4.500
4.750
5.000
5.250
5.500
5.750
6.000
6.250
6.500
6.750
7.000
7.250
20.6
22.2
25.4
28.6
31.8
34.9
38.1
41.3
44.5
50.8
57.2
63.5
69.9
76.2
82.6
88.9
95.3
101.6
108.0
114.3
120.7
127.0
133.4
139.7
146.1
152.4
158.8
165.1
171.5
177.8
184.2
7.2 The stock shall not be less than 2.00 in. [50.8 mm] nor
more than 2.25 in. [57.2 mm] in diameter and up to 7.25 in.
[184 mm] in length for the blocks covered by this practice.
8. Quality of Material
8.1 The quality of material to be used for reference blocks
should be checked by the procedure outlined in 8.2 to 8.9
inclusive. Only material passing the requirements given in 8.9
should be used for blocks.
8.2 Evaluation ProcedureThe general evaluation procedure consists of directing a beam of pulsed longitudinal waves
into the stock in a diametrical direction and noting the
ultrasonic noise level. An ultrasonic test by the immersion
method using clean water that is free of air bubbles as a
couplant is employed for this evaluation.
8.3 Test InstrumentAny of several commercially available
pulse-echo type ultrasonic testing instruments that provide a
10-MHz test frequency may be used for evaluation of stock
quality. The instrument should be capable of providing the
required sensitivity level with negligible internal electrical
noise and should provide linear amplification of received
pulses in an amplitude range of at least 50 % of maximum
amplitude of indication on its display screen.
7. Material
7.1 The recommended material for reference blocks is
7075-T6 aluminum alloy rolled or extruded rod (see 13.2).
NOTE 4To normalize ultrasonic transmission characteristics, the bar
stock may be re-heat treated prior to manufacturing the blocks. If this
option is elected, a recommended practice is soaking at 870 6 10F [465
6 5C] for a period of 1 h 6 5 min, quenching immediately by immersing
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The surface finish of the entry surface shall be 30 in. [0.76
m] rms, or smoother, and the back surface 63 in. [1.6 m]
rms, or smoother.
9.4 Hole AlignmentThe hole must be perpendicular to the
end of the block within a tolerance of 30 min. The hole should
be located within 0.010 in. [0.25 mm] of the longitudinal axis
of the block.
9.5 Hole BottomMake the hole bottom flat by final
drilling with a flat-end drill or cutter. The end of the drill or
cutter used for this purpose should be flat within 0.001 in. [0.03
mm] per 0.125 in. [3.2 mm] of diameter and should be
perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The final depth of the
finished flat-bottom hole is 0.75 in. [19.0 mm]. Make the
finished hole bottom as smooth as possible.
9.6 Counterbore for PlugMachine a flat counterbore,
0.250 in. [6.35 mm] in diameter by 0.063 in. [1.62 mm] deep,
into the end of the block at its center as shown in Fig. 1.
9.7 Cleaning and Drying HoleUpon completion of the
counterboring and drilling operations, clean the hole bottom
with a suitable cleaning fluid and dry with a fine stream of
dried, filtered, compressed air blown through a capillary tube
inserted in the hole.
9.8 DeburringRemove all burrs resulting from the machining procedure. Round the outside edges of entry and back
surfaces to a radius of not more than 0.032 in. [0.81 mm].
9.9 Block IdentificationIdentify each reference block by a
stenciled block identification number, designating hole size,
and metal distance, as given in Table 1, Table 3, and Table 4.
In the case of additional and equivalent blocks, as defined in
13.1, which are fabricated to a precise metric system dimension
or to mixed English/metric dimensions, the metric dimension
shall be indicated by the marking mm immediately following
the dimension number. For example, a block with a 564-in.
diameter flat-bottom-hole target and a 3 mm metal path would
be identified as 5-3 mm and a block with a 1 mm diameter
flat-bottom-hole target and a 1 in. metal path would be
identified as 1 mm-0100. The size and location of the
stenciled numbers are indicated in Fig. 1. Take special care to
protect the block, particularly the entry surface, from handling
marks and scratches during the stenciling operation. Stamp or
stencil on the block additional information designating the
manufacturer and compliance with this practice (see 11.9).
However, this information should be located at a point at least
90 about the periphery from the aforementioned block identification number. Letter size and spacing of this additional
information should not be greater than letter size and spacing
used for the identification number.
9.9.1 Ink identification may be written on the block sound
entry surface provided that it has been established that the
markings do not affect the blocks measured echo-amplitude
response. Etching, scratching, or physical defacing of the
blocks sound entry surface is not permitted.
9.10 Plugging ProcedureCheck the completed unplugged
reference block for ultrasonic response prior to plugging. Plug
a reference block that exhibits satisfactory ultrasonic response
by seating an aluminum plug of the same alloy (7075-T6) that
has an interference fit of 0.0005 in. [0.013 mm] in the
counterbore. Coat both the counterbore and the faying surface
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1 in. = 25.4 mm
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11.4.2 ApparatusThe same apparatus, including the test
instrument, tank and manipulator, and search unit prescribed
for checking reference blocks (see 11.3) shall be used to check
the linearity of the test system if Method A of Practice E 317 is
used to check linearity.
11.4.3 Procedure for Checking LinearityDetermine the
vertical linearity characteristics of the test system in accordance with either Method A or Method B of Practice E 317. For
checking the response of reference blocks, use only that
portion of the vertical instrument deflection that lies within
65 % of a constant response ratio. This will define the upper
and lower linearity limit.
11.5 Qualification of Search Unit:
11.5.1 Reasons for QualificationIn order to ensure maximum accuracy during the check of block response, check the
characteristics of the search unit and use only search units
exhibiting acceptable characteristics for this work. The characteristics of the search unit include the following:
11.5.1.1 Frequency,
11.5.1.2 A distance-amplitude curve from a 0.500-in.
[12.7-mm] diameter steel ball in water, and
11.5.1.3 Beam profiles obtained from a 0.500-in. [12.7-mm]
diameter ball in water.
11.5.1.4 Any piezoelectric material that enables the search
unit to meet the requirements of this practice may be used.
11.5.2 ApparatusThe apparatus used for checking the
ultrasonic characteristics of the search unit is the same as that
prescribed in 11.3 for checking reference blocks. The manipulator should allow a range in water path from 0 to at least 6 in.
[152.4 mm]. The steel balls required shall be of ball-bearing
quality, free of corrosion and surface marks.
11.5.3 Verify the center frequency of the search unit and
system to be 5.0 6 0.5 MHz.
11.5.4 Procedure for Obtaining Distance-Amplitude
CharacteristicsObtain an initial response from a 0.500-in.
[12.7-mm] diameter steel ball that is located at a water distance
equal to the measured Y0+ of the search unit. Position the
search unit for a maximum indication from the ball under these
conditions. Take care to obtain a true maximum indication
because the position of the search unit is critical. Subsequent to
obtaining the maximum response, adjust the instrument gain
control to bring this response to 100 % of the upper linearity
limit of the instrument. Then vary the water distance in
increments no greater than 0.25 in. [6.4 mm] through a range
from 0.25 in. [6.4 mm] to the Y0+ point, and from this point in
increments no greater than 0.5 in. [12.8 mm] to 6 in. [152.4
mm]. Because only the axial distance-amplitude response is
required, take care to maintain the location of the ball on the
central axis of the beam for each increment of water distance.
Plot the incremental response from the ball as a function of
water distance. A typical response curve for an acceptable
search unit is shown in Fig. 2. Only a search unit with a
measured Y0+ point at 3.2 to 3.6 in. [81 to 91 mm] and a
distance-amplitude curve similar to that shown in Fig. 2 will
display sets of amplitude response curves equivalent to those
required by 11.8.1 and 11.8.2.
11.5.5 Procedure for Obtaining Beam Patterns:
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E 127 06
the search unit from the crystal face to the block entry surface.
An exception to this procedure is to continue the use of a
previous practice in cases where experience with a given
search unit and a given set or sets of blocks has yielded
satisfactory results by using a water path of 3.5 6 0.1 in. [88.9
6 2.5 mm] even though different from the measured Y0+ of a
search unit meeting the other requirements of 11.5. Accurately
adjust this water distance by using a gage between the block
and the search unit. Adjust the angle of the search unit with
respect to the block to obtain either a maximized number of
back reflections from the block or a maximized indication from
its entry surface. After a normal ultrasonic beam is obtained,
position the search unit laterally and re-angulate slightly as
required to obtain a maximized amplitude of indication from
the hole bottom. Test each block in an area-amplitude set or
distance-amplitude set in this manner, and plot curves similar
to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 for each set. Alternative methods for
obtaining the required amplitude response data (such as the use
of calibrated gain controls) may be used, provided the reading
accuracies specified in 11.4.3 and 11.8.2.2 are maintained. The
detailed procedures described later require the calibration of
test system sensitivity. This may be done either with the
ball-to-block method of 11.8.2 or the block-to-block method of
Annex A1 or the interface-to-block method of Annex A2. The
method used and the data obtained, as well as the prescribed
curves, should be included in the test report. An exception to
this procedure is to continue the use of a previous practice in
cases where experience with a given search unit and a given set
or sets of blocks has yielded satisfactory results by using a
water path of 3.5 6 0.1 in. [88.9 6 2.5 mm] even though this
water path length is different from the measured Y0+ of a
search unit meeting the other requirements of 11.5.
11.8.1 Area-Amplitude SetEstablish test sensitivity for the
area-amplitude curve shown in Fig. 5 by adjusting the instrument gain control so that the maximized indication from the
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FIG. 5 Area-Amplitude Response Curve Showing Interrelationship Between Ultrasonic Standard Reference Blocks Containing
Holes of Various Sizes at Constant Metal Distances
FIG. 6 Distance-Amplitude Response Curves (A and B) Showing the Interrelationship Between Ultrasonic Standard Reference
Blocks of Various Lengths and Containing Flat-Bottom Holes
8 64
E 127 06
TABLE 5 Comparison Data for Checking Ultrasonic Response of
Standard Reference Blocks (see Fig. 6)
Block
Block IdenA
tification Response
Number
Curve A
0050
0062
0075
0087
0100
0125
0150
0175
0200
0225
0250
0275
0300
0325
0350
0375
0400
0425
0450
0475
0500
0525
0550
0575
0600
0625
0650
80
71
64
58
52
44
37
31
26B
22B
19B
17B
15B
Allowable
VariationA
min
max
57
50
45
41
37
31
26
22
18B
16B
13B
12B
11B
100
89
80
73
65
55
47
39
33B
28B
24B
21B
19B
Block
ResponseA
Allowable
VariationA
Curve B
min
max
...
95B
80
68
59
52
46
42
39
36
33
30
28
26.5
25
24
23
22
21.5
21
20.5
20
80B
67B
57
48
42
37
33
30
28
25
23
21
20
19
18
17
16
15.5
15
15
14.5
14
...
...
100
85
74
65
58
53
49
45
42
38
35
33
31
30
29
28
27
26
26
25
12. Report
12.1 Report the following information:
12.2 Equipment Used:
12.2.1 Instrument: manufacturer, type, modules (where applicable) and serial numbers.
12.2.2 Search unit: manufacturer, type, part number, and
serial number.
12.2.2.1 Certify that both the search unit and test system
meet the requirements of 11.4 and 11.5.
12.3 Area/Amplitude Block Sets:
12.3.1 Numerical response values obtained by procedure
11.8.1.
12.3.2 Provide data plot in accordance with Fig. 5.
12.3.3 For 3-0300, 5-0300 and 8-0300 blocks, report numerical values obtained by the procedures in 11.8.2 or Annex
A1.
12.4 Distance/Amplitude Block Sets:
12.4.1 Numerical values obtained by procedure 11.8.2 or
Annex A1.
12.4.2 Provide data plot in accordance with Fig. 6.
12.5 Basic Sets:
12.5.1 For 3-0300, 5-0300 and 8-0300, follow 12.3.
12.5.2 For all other blocks follow 12.4 for applicable metal
distances.
12.6 Blocks Not in SetsUnless otherwise specified by the
requesting party, for blocks with 364 , 564 or 864 in. diameter FB
holes, report numerical values obtained by the procedures in
11.8.2 or Annex A1.
NOTE 10Response limits are given by Table 5 for blocks with metal
distances of 0.5 in. [12.7 mm] to 6.5 in. [165 mm] and having 364 , 564 or
864 in. diameter FB holes. Blocks having other hole sizes or metal
E 127 06
equivalent to the requirements of this recommended practice,
they may be considered ASTM-type reference blocks.
13.5 Excessive wear and use may require the occasional
introduction of a newly-fabricated block into an existing set.
These replacement blocks must meet all of the requirements of
this standard and be acoustically similar to the block(s) being
replaced. For the purposes of being acoustically similar, these
blocks must meet the Table 5 measurement criteria and have an
appropriate relative echo-amplitude response with respect to
the other blocks in the existing block set.
ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
A1. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CALIBRATION METHOD
A1.1 Introduction
A1.1.1 This Annex defines a procedure for ultrasonic testing
and qualification of aluminum alloy standard reference blocks
using as calibration standards, blocks which have been certified
by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The procedure may be used as an alternative to the ball-toblock method of 11.8.2.
A1.4 Apparatus
A1.4.1 The immersion test equipment described in 11.3 and
meeting the requirements of 11.4, shall be used.
A1.4.2 To produce the tuned electrical pulse specified in
11.3.1, an appropriate network is necessary if the instrument
incorporates a conventional spike or square-wave pulser.
This network must inductively shunt-tune the cable and search
unit capacitance to generate the required 5.0 MHz electrical
wave-train, and provide the system pulse-echo sensitivity
needed for the reference blocks to be evaluated. A suggested
network configuration is shown in Appendix X1.
A1.4.3 The combination of pulser, cables, search unit, and
control settings used for block evaluation must be checked with
standard CRO measurement techniques to ensure that the
electrical signal applied to the search unit is a damped sine
wave with an effective r-f frequency of 4.8 to 5.2 MHz.
A1.2 Application
A1.2.1 The objective is to allow the use of commercially
available pulse-echo instrumentation which may not reproduce
the ball/block response given in Table 5 to the required
tolerances.
NOTE A1.1The equipment originally used to obtain the response data
has not been manufactured for many years, and maintenance of the
obsolete instruments has become difficult and expensive.
A1.3 Method
A1.3.1 Blocks which meet all the requirements of this
practice except for having been ultrasonically checked for
ball-to-block response, are evaluated against similar standard
reference blocks which have been calibrated and certified by
NIST in accordance with 11.8.2. For the source of this
calibration service, see footnote 4.
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A1.7 Acceptance Criteria
A1.7.1 The response of acceptable blocks must fall within
the tolerances given in Table 5. To meet the report requirements of 12.1, the response values must be plotted in accordance with Fig. 6, and meet the +2 dB and 3 dB limits
specified.
A1.7.2 Blocks meeting these response criteria, and all other
requirements of this practice other than the ball-to-block
evaluation, may be certified as conforming to this practice.
A1.8 Report
A1.8.1 In addition to the information required by 12.1 and
12.2, the report shall show the serial numbers of the calibration
blocks used, the corresponding reference response values
provided by NIST, and the numerical results on the blocks
being tested.
A1.9 Precision and Bias
A1.9.1 An interlaboratory study was made to determine the
reproducibility of this method and the relationship of the
results to the NIST calibration readings.5
A1.9.2 Reproducibility of the average of three or more
readings at a single facility using the same instrumentation can
be expected to be within 2 % FS.
A1.9.3 The maximum deviation of averaged data from any
facility should not deviate from the NIST calibration response
by more than 5 % FS.
A1.9.4 Since there is no recognized primary standard
against which the response of the ultrasonic reference blocks
can be compared, no statement can be made regarding the bias
of these measurements.
A1.6 Procedure
A1.6.1 Using the procedure described in 11.7, check the
new blocks for angular error to determine that 11.7.2 is
satisfied.
A1.6.2 Using the procedure described in 11.8, optimize the
search unit alignment with the calibration block and scan
laterally to peak on the hole. Adjust the instrument sensitivity
to obtain a hole signal equal, in percent of full scale (FS), to
that given in the NIST calibration data. This will usually
require the use of a fine gain control, and should be set within
the readability of the display, that is, 2 % FS or better.
A1.6.3 Without changing sensitivity, repeat the measurement on the block being evaluated, and record the value
obtained (in percent FS). For blocks which require response
values for both Curve A and Curve B, repeat A1.6.2 and A1.6.3
using the second NIST calibration value.
5
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request research
report RR: E07-1000.
A2.1 Introduction
A2.1.1 This annex defines a procedure for performing
distance-amplitude checks without using round balls as the
sensitivity reference. This alternate method requires that the
vertical linearity and gain control(s) of the instrument be
calibrated with an external step attenuator. Linearity checking
by this means is described in Method B in Practice E 317. Gain
control checking is performed by using the same system
configuration as shown for vertical linearity checking and by
following the procedure described below.
A2.2 Application
A2.2.1 The objective of this procedure is to provide a
method for obtaining accurate distance-amplitude checking of
reference block sets while using measuring equipment with
NIST-traceable accuracy. As is the case with Annex Annex A1
procedures, this method allows the use of newer, readily
available ultrasonic pulse-echo instruments that are more
12
E 127 06
reference block with a metal path of 0.500 inches [12.7 mm] or
one with a metal path as near to this value as exists in the set
to be checked. Set the instrument damping control (if provided)
to its minimum value. Adjust the instrument gain so that the
normalized front surface indication from the block is at 80% of
the upper linearity limit (or as near to this value as can be
obtained with the minimum gain control steps available).
Adjust the instrument power control (if provided) to a value
that will produce this indication amplitude with minimum
instrument gain. Depending upon the size of the flat bottom
holes in the blocks to be checked increase the instrument gain
by the amount shown in Table A2.1.
A2.4.2 Distance Amplitude CheckingUsing the gain and
water path as determined in A2.4.1 carefully angulate the
search unit to obtain the peak indication from the flat bottom
hole in each block in the set and record these values. Blocks are
acceptable if they meet the other requirements of this practice
and if all indications fall within the limits specified in 11.8.2.
NOTE A2.1With higher damping and lower power output than prescribed in A2.4.1 it may be possible, especially with ceramic transducers,
to resolve peak indications from blocks with metal travel path lengths of
less than 0.500 inches [12.7 mm]. If these are included in a report, either
the same damping and power output must be used for all blocks or a
separate curve be provided showing overlap of the response amplitudes of
the shorter metal path blocks with at least that from the 0.500 inch [12.7
mm] block examined under the same conditions.
TABLE A2.1 Gain Increase for Distance-Amplitude Block
Checking
A2.4 Procedure
A2.4.1 Adjustment of SensitivityUsing a search unit that
meets the requirements of 11.5 set the water path length to its
measured Y0+ value and normalize on the front surface of the
#3
#5
#8
35
26
19
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. RECOMMENDED TUNING NETWORK FOR LOW CAPACITANCE SEARCH UNITS
13
E 127 06
power and voltage ratings suitable for the applied pulser
output.
REFERENCES
(1) Anon. (ASTM E07.06), ASTM Research Report on E 127 Annex,
ASTM Research Report RR:E07-1000.
(2) Anon., Ultrasonic Measurement Services, NIST Calibration Services
Users Guide 1989. Ed., J. Simmons, NIST Special Publication 250,
1989, pp 4045.
(3) Beck, K.H., Limitations to the use of Reference Blocks for Periodic
and Preinspection Calibration of Ultrasonic Inspection Instruments
and Systems, Materials Evaluation, Vol. 57, No.3, March 1999.
(4) Blessing, G. V., An Assessment of Ultrasonic Reference Block
Calibration Methodology, National Bureau of Standards Report
NBSIR 83-2710, 1983.
(5) Blessing, G. V., and Eitzen, D. G., Variables affecting ultrasonic
reference block calibration. 1982 Paper Summaries, ASNT National
Spring Conference, March 2225, 1982, Boston, MA, pp 287291.
(6) Blessing, G. V., and Eitzen, D. G., Ultrasonic artifact calibration
methodology. Offce of Nondestructive Evaluation Technical Activities,
1985. Edited by G. Birnbaum. National Bureau of Standards Report
NBSIR 85-3187, 185.
(7) Burley, C. E., Calibration blocks for ultrasonic testing, Nondestructive TestingA Review, Edited by Harold Berger, ASTM, STP 624,
1977, pp 146158.
(8) Chwirut, D. J., Recent Improvements to the ASTM-type Ultrasonic
Reference Block System, National Bureau of Standards Report,
NBSIR 79-1742, 1979.
(9) Chwirut, D. J., and Boswell, G. D., The Evaluation of Search Units
Used for Ultrasonic Reference Block Calibrations, National Bureau
of Standards Report NBSIR 78-1454, 1978.
(10) Chwirut, D. J., Sushinsky, G. F., and Eitzen, D. G., Procedures for
the Calibration of ASTM E 127Type Ultrasonic Reference
Blocks, National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 924, Note
1976.
(11) Cline, C. W., and Morgan, J. B., Standardization in ultrasonic
testing, Nondestructive Testing, Vol 23, JulyAugust, p 23.
(12) Eitzen, D. G., et al., Improved Ultrasonic Standard Reference
Blocks, National Bureau of Standards Report NBSIR 75-685, 1975.
(13) Panian, F. C., and Van Valkenburg, H. E., Development of ASTM
Standard Reference Blocks for Ultrasonic Inspection, Proceedings,
American Society for Testing and Materials, Vol 59, 1959, pp
12371260.
(14) Posakony, G. J., Performance differences in quartz ultrasonic search
units, Ultrasonic Materials Characterization, H. Berger and M.
Linzer, eds., Proceedings of the First International Symposium on
Ultrasonic Materials Characterization, NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, June
79, 1978, National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 596,
1980, pp 595603.
(15) Sushinsky, G. F., Eitzen, D. G., and Chwirut, D. J., Improved
Ultrasonic Standard Reference Blocks, National Bureau of Standards Report NBSIR 76-984, 1976.
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