AC7102/8 REV.

NA
Issued 2014-01
161Thorn Hill Road
AUDIT CRITERIA
Warrendale, PA 15086-7527 Revised: 2015-11

Superseding NA

TO BE USED ON AUDITS STARTING ON OR AFTER 11-May-14

Nadcap
AUDIT CRITERIA FOR HEAT TREATING
PYROMETRY
Editorial Revision: 14-May-14 para 5.3, 5.4, 6.7.1.q
Editorial Revision: 2-Nov-2015 added info only questions 3.0.1, 4.1.0.1, 4.2.0.1, 5.0.1, 6.0.1

1. SCOPE

1.1 This checklist supplements AC7102. The checklist shall apply to Suppliers seeking
Nadcap accreditation for Heat Treating.

2. PYROMETRY

2.1 General Requirements

2.1.1 Does the supplier have an internal procedure, or procedures for Pyrometry addressing YES NO
all the aspects of AMS 2750E and other customer specifications applicable to their
operations?

2.1.2 Do all the test equipment and test thermocouples have current certifications traceable YES NO
to National Institute of Standards and Technology – NIST, or other equivalent national
certification agency?

2.1.3 Is there a system in place to review Pyrometry procedures and the results of tests YES NO
(whether performed in-house or by an outside source) to ensure that AMS 2750E, or
more stringent customer requirements are being met?

2.1.4 Are there objective evidences of these reviews? YES NO

3. Thermocouples

3.0.1 For information only, does the supplier outsource this calibration service? YES NO

3.1 Do the thermocouples and thermocouple wires meet the calibration frequency, YES NO
temperature intervals and accuracy requirements of AMS 2750E, or more stringent
customer requirements? (U10)

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t-frm-15 08-Oct-2019
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3.2 Are the thermocouples being calibrated throughout the range in which they are to YES NO
be used?

3.3 Are the actual calibration values and errors or correction factors reported on the YES NO
certification?

3.4 Are procedures in place to ensure that base metal thermocouples are only YES NO
recalibrated when allowed by AMS 2750E?

3.5 Are procedures in place to ensure that thermocouples are only reused when YES NO
allowed by AMS 2750E?

3.6 Does the supplier comply with the re-calibration (or replacement) requirements for YES NO NA
nonexpendable thermocouples, including Type K and E, when used exclusively at
or below 500°F?

3.7 Does the supplier comply with the re-use and depth of insertion requirements for YES NO NA
any Type K and E thermocouples when used above 500°F?

3.8 Does the supplier comply with the “U” formula (except as allowed per AMS 2750E, YES NO NA
3.1.3.4 for TUS) when expendable test thermocouples are used for SAT and TUS
testing? (U11)

3.9 Does the supplier comply with AMS 2750E, paragraphs 3.1.5.2 and 3.1.5.3, or YES NO
more stringent customer requirements for the life usage of expendable and
nonexpendable base metal load thermocouples?

3.10 Does the internal procedure specify when the correction factors are to be used? YES NO

3.11 Is the application of correction factors documented in clear and unambiguous YES NO
terms?

3.12 Does the supplier determine a replacement frequency of sensors based on YES NO
supporting data (SAT, TUS, recalibration data, etc.)?

3.12.1 Is there an internal procedure addressing this requirement? YES NO

3.13 Thermocouples Made from Rolls of Thermocouple Wire NA

3.13.1 Are all rolls of thermocouple wire calibrated at both ends and the correction factor YES NO
determined to be the average of the two values at any calibration temperature?

3.13.2 Are procedures in place to ensure that the thermocouples made from rolls of YES NO
thermocouple wire are not used when the difference in end to end (front to back)
correction factors at any test temperature exceed AMS 2750E or more stringent
customer requirements (1°F or 0.6°C for primary and secondary standards; 2°F or
1.1°C for all other uses including TUS)?

3.13.3 Do records indicate compliance? YES NO

4. Instrumentation

4.1 Testing Instrumentation

4.1.0.1 For information only, does the supplier outsource this calibration service? YES NO
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4.1.1 Do all test instruments have a digital display and output, and meet the readability, YES NO
calibration frequency and the accuracy requirements of Table 3 of AMS 2750E, or
more stringent customer requirements?

4.1.2 Does the calibration of Primary, Secondary Standard and Field Test Instruments YES NO
meet the requirements of AMS 2750E or more stringent customer requirements?

4.2 Process Instrument Calibration

4.2.0.1 For information only, does the supplier outsource this calibration service? YES NO

4.2.1 Are the calibration accuracy and frequencies in accordance with the requirements YES NO
of AMS 2750E Table 3, or more stringent customer requirements?

4.2.2 Are the calibrations performed on each furnace instrument that qualifies the furnace YES NO
for the particular instrument type? (U11)

4.2.3 Are the instruments checked for sensitivity during calibration to meet AMS 2750E YES NO
Table 3, Footnote (4), or more stringent customer requirements?

4.2.4 Do the instrument calibration records and stickers show conformance to the YES NO
requirements of AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

4.3 Process Recorders including Electronic Data Collection

4.3.1 Does the Process recording system meet the resolution requirements of AMS YES NO
2750E Table 4, or more stringent customer requirements?

4.3.2 Do recorder printing and chart speeds meet the requirements of AMS 2750E Table YES NO
5, or more stringent customer requirements?

4.3.3 Are the chart (circular and/or strip) recorder’s speed(s) verified annually as a YES NO NA
minimum?

4.3.4 Are the chart (circular and/or strip) recorder’s speed(s) accurate within ±3 minutes YES NO NA
per hour?

4.4 Furnace Classes and Instrumentation Types

4.4.1 Do the testing frequencies and tolerances meet the requirements of AMS 2750E for YES NO
the applicable Furnace Class and Instrumentation Type? (See Figure 2 and Tables
6, 7, 8, and 9)

4.4.2 Are the furnaces instrumented for the Instrumentation Type identified by the YES NO
supplier? (See Figure 3)

4.4.3 Are refrigeration and quenching systems properly instrumented to meet AMS YES NO NA
2750E, paragraph 3.3.3, or more stringent customer requirements?

5. System Accuracy Test (SAT)

5.0.1 For information only, does the supplier outsource this pyrometry service? YES NO

5.1 General

5.1.1 Does the internal SAT procedure conform to the requirements of AMS 2750E, or YES NO
more stringent customer requirements for the specific method used by the supplier?
(U14)
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5.2 System Accuracy Test (SAT) Waiver (Note: Not all customer Primes allow the NA
waiver).

5.2.1 If the SAT Waiver is utilized, do the procedures and practices meet all of the YES NO
requirements of AMS 2750E section 3.4.7?

5.3 System Accuracy Test (SAT) Practice NA

5.3.1 Are the SAT’s performed on the temperature control and recording systems YES NO
required by the applicable instrumentation type, as well as any additional recording
systems used for product acceptance in each control zone of each piece of thermal
processing equipment used for production heat treatments?

5.3.2 Are the SAT’s performed upon installation and periodically thereafter in accordance YES NO
with the requirements of AMS 2750E, Tables 6 or 7, or more stringent customer
requirements, including any applicable frequency reductions? (The SAT’s
frequencies are based upon equipment class and instrumentation type).

5.3.3 Is a SAT performed after any maintenance that could affect the SAT result? YES NO
(Examples include replacement of the thermocouple(s) and re-calibration of the
instrument that resulted in an adjustment to the instrument).

5.4 System Accuracy Test (SAT) Methods NA

5.4.1 Are the displayed temperature indication and recording of the sensor being tested, YES NO
with appropriate offsets or correction factors, at any operating temperature,
compared with the corrected temperature indication of the test sensor on a test
instrument?

5.4.2 Do records indicate that:

a. The thermocouple correction factors are stated unambiguously and used YES NO
correctly?

b. The furnace identification, the set point, test thermocouple measurement, YES NO
furnace thermocouple indication, and the difference after correction factors
are applied, including all other information required by AMS 2750E
paragraph 3.4.8.1 or more stringent customer requirements?

c. Any required corrective actions are documented and the furnace re-tested YES NO
after any required adjustments?

d. Any frequency reductions are adequately documented and justified? (U11) YES NO

e. Do SAT results meet the requirements of all applicable specifications? YES NO

5.4.3 If the alternate SAT method specified in AMS 2750E, paragraph 3.4.6 is utilized, is it YES NO NA
documented and does it meet specification requirements? (Note: Not all customer
Primes allow the alternate method).

5.5 System Accuracy Test (SAT) Resident Test Thermocouple NA

5.5.1 Is there an internal procedure documenting the use of resident test thermocouples, YES NO
including periodic verification of their position?

5.5.2 Are the furnace (or load) thermocouple and the resident SAT thermocouple two YES NO
different thermocouple types? (It is not allowed to use Type R thermocouple as a
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resident SAT thermocouple against Type S control thermocouple, or vice versa, due
to similarity of both thermocouples’ metal chemistry).

5.5.3 Are resident SAT thermocouples only Type B, N, R or S when used at temperatures YES NO
exceeding 500°F (260°C), and nonexpendable if exposed to temperatures above
1000°F (538°C)?

5.5.4 Are resident SAT thermocouples subject to the replacement or recalibration YES NO
frequency specified in AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

6. Temperature Uniformity Survey (TUS) NA

6.0.1 For information only, does the supplier outsource this pyrometry service? YES NO

6.1 General

6.1.1 Does the internal TUS procedure conform to the requirements of AMS 2750E, or YES NO
more stringent customer requirements for the specific method used by the supplier?

6.1.2 Are initial TUS’s performed prior to production or after any furnace modification or YES NO
adjustment, that could have altered the temperature uniformity characteristics?
(Examples are noted in AMS 2750E, paragraph 3.5.3)

6.1.3 Do procedures and documentation exist to demonstrate that test frequencies and YES NO
test temperatures meet AMS 2750E paragraph 3.5.5, 3.5.6, 3.5.7 and Table 8 or 9,
or more stringent customer requirements, on both periodic and annual basis?

6.1.4 Are all furnace modifications and repairs documented in a log with the appropriate YES NO
QA documentation as to whether an initial TUS is required?

6.2 Load Condition (for TUS)

6.2.1 Is the load condition for the performance of the initial TUS on each furnace YES NO
documented?

6.2.2 Is each successive TUS performed with the same type of load condition as the YES NO
initial one?

6.2.3 If heats sinks are used, do they meet the requirements of AMS 2750E paragraph YES NO NA
3.5.10.1 for placement and thickness?

6.2.4 Do operating parameters during the TUS reflect the normal operating parameters YES NO
for the particular furnace, including the atmosphere, except as allowed by AMS
2750E paragraph 3.5.11?

6.2.5 Does the supplier have a detailed diagram of the test sensors location during the YES NO
TUS?

6.2.6 Is the number and placement of thermocouples used for the TUS as required per YES NO
AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

6.3 Initial TUS

6.3.1 Do the initial test temperatures include the highest and lowest temperatures for YES NO
which the equipment will be used for each qualified operating range?

6.3.2 If the highest and lowest test temperatures are more than 600F (or 335°C) apart, YES NO NA
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are additional tests performed at one or more intermediate test temperatures so that
test temperatures are not more than 600F (or 335°C) apart? (U11)

6.4 Periodic TUS

6.4.1 For any operating range greater than 600°F (335°C), are periodic tests performed at YES NO
a temperature(s) within 300°F (170°C) of the maximum and 300°F (170°C) of the
minimum of each qualified operating range and there are no more than 600°F
(335°C) increments between adjacent test temperatures, for each range as defined
during the initial survey? (U11)

6.4.2 Does the supplier, at least once each calendar year, perform a temperature YES NO
uniformity survey at the minimum and maximum temperature of each qualified
operating range?

6.4.3 Are the TUS’s performed at the frequencies required by AMS 2750E Tables 8 or 9, YES NO
or more stringent customer requirements? (U11)

6.5 Temperature Uniformity Test Methods

6.5.1 Does the TUS recorder or data logger output the TUS data in a digital format? YES NO

6.5.2 Are readings taken:

a. Before the first test or furnace sensor reaches the lower tolerance of the test YES NO
range?

b. Frequently enough (maximum 2 minutes) to detect any overshooting of the YES NO

test range?

6.5.3 After the temperatures have stabilized, are the test readings taken at 2 minute YES NO
intervals maximum for a minimum of 30 minutes?

6.5.4 Are temperatures indicated by all furnace thermocouples recorded and included as YES NO
part of the TUS record? (U11 & U13)

6.5.5 Is the actual uniformity of the furnace calculated and compared to the furnace YES NO
uniformity requirement?

6.5.6 If the TUS records indicate failure of test thermocouple(s), are the failure(s) within YES NO NA
acceptable limits allowed by AMS 2750E paragraph 3.5.16, or more stringent
customer requirements?

6.5.7 Do the TUS results meet the requirements of all applicable specifications for each YES NO
individual piece of equipment surveyed during the audit?

6.6 Offsetting NA

Note: Offsetting may be applied either by internal electronic adjustment or by

manual offset of the set point as long as the method is clearly documented and
followed, and complies with the specific customer requirements.

6.6.1 Is there a procedure that specifies the use of offsets? YES NO

6.6.2 Is the procedure in accordance with AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer YES NO
requirements?
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6.6.3 Do records indicate that the procedure is followed? YES NO

6.6.4 Are manual offset tables clearly posted and visible to the operator? YES NO NA

6.6.5 Are electronic offsets documented and available to calibration technicians? YES NO NA

6.6.6 Does documentation exist to verify that the offsets were applied? YES NO

6.6.7 Does the procedure address how to account for and reintroduce any intentional YES NO
offsets?

6.7 Temperature Uniformity Survey Documentation

6.7.1 Does the documentation of the performed TUS includes as a minimum:

a. Furnace identification name or number? YES NO

b. Survey temperatures? YES NO

c. TUS sensor and location identification including a detailed diagram, YES NO

description or photograph(s) of any load or rack used?

d. Time and temperature data from all recorded sensors required for furnace YES NO
instrumentation type for all zones tested (Reference AMS 2750 Rev. E section
3.5.13.3.2)?

e. Correction factors for TUS sensors at each survey temperature? YES NO

f. As found and as left TUS offsets (if used in production)? YES NO NA

g. Corrected or uncorrected readings of all TUS sensors at each survey YES NO

temperature?
(Readings shall be identified as corrected or uncorrected).

h. Testing company identification (if not performed in-house)? YES NO NA

i. Signature for the testing company (if not performed in-house)? YES NO NA

j. Identification of technician performing the survey? YES NO

k. Survey start date and time? YES NO

l. Survey end date and time? YES NO

m. Survey test instrument identification number? YES NO

n. Indications of the test pass or fail? YES NO

o. When required, documentation of furnace survey sensor failures (see 3.5.16)? YES NO NA

p. Summary of corrected plus and minus TUS readings at each test temperature YES NO
after stabilization?

q. Quality Organization approval YES NO

6.7.2 Are test instrument correction factors for each channel at each survey temperature YES NO
used?
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6.7.3 Are control and/or monitoring sensor readings and corrected TUS sensor readings YES NO
within the applicable positive temperature tolerance at any time?

6.7.4 Are all readings of all TUS sensors and control or monitoring sensors within the YES NO
temperature tolerance requirements during the soak period except as allowed by
AMS2750E para 3.5.16?

7. Laboratory Furnace NA

7.1 Are the laboratory furnaces, used for response to heat treating testing per material YES NO
specifications (when a load sensor is used) tested to the requirements of AMS
2750E paragraph 3.6?

7.2 Are laboratory furnaces, used for response to heat treating testing per material YES NO
specifications (when a load sensor is not used) tested as required for the production
equipment?

8. Quality Assurance Provisions

8.1 Does the internal procedure require that, if any instrument/sensor/test fails to meet YES NO
test requirements, or that has exceeded its test interval including any applicable
permissible extension period (See AMS 2750E Table 10, or more stringent
customer requirements), that the applicable equipment is taken out of service?

8.2 Is the corrective action documented including the actions taken to bring the YES NO
instrument/sensor/test into compliance?

8.3 Does the internal procedure require that, in the event of any test failure or out-of- YES NO
tolerance condition, an evaluation of the possible effects of the non-conformance on
product processed since the last successful corresponding test is performed and
documented per established material review procedures?

8.4 Does the internal procedure require that if the TUS results show a deviation of more YES NO
than the maximum allowed by specification, the cause of the difference is
determined, corrected, and the equipment is re-tested before additional thermal
processing in that equipment is performed, or corrected using an offset when
allowed?

8.5 Does the internal procedure require that the supplier document the evaluation of the YES NO
TUS failure and determine if parts processed were affected by any out of tolerance
condition?

8.6 If potential product impact is discovered by a test or TUS failure, are the appropriate YES NO NA
corrective actions taken, documented and maintained on file?