COMPERSION OF ASME (2010 EDITION) AND RCC-M (2012 EDITION)
Sr. No. Title ASME (2010)
01 Scope This article provides or references requirements for
weld examination, which are to be used in selecting
and developing ultrasonic examination procedures
when examination to any part of this article is a
requirement of a referencing code section.
(Article 4, T-410)
02 Area to be Examined The volume to be scanned shall be examined by
moving the search unit over the scanning surface so as
to scan the entire examination volume for each required
search unit. (Article 4, T-471.1)
03 Personnel Qualification Individuals performing examinations in according with
this specification shall be qualified and certified in
accordance with the requirements of the latest edition
of ASNT-SNT-TC-1A or an equivalent accepted
standard. (Article 23, SA-577)
04 Ultrasonic flaw detector A pulse echo type of ultrasonic instrument shall be
used. The instrument shall be capable of operation at
frequencies over the range of at least 1 MHz to 5 MHz
and shall be equipped with a stepped gain control in
units of 2.0 dB or less. (Article 4, T-431)
05 Probes The nominal frequency shall be from 1 MHz to 5 MHz
unless variables, such as production materials grain
structure, require the use of other frequencies to assure
adequate penetration or better resolution.
(Article 4, T-432.1)
06 Couplant The couplant, including additives, shall not be
RCC-M (2012)
This subchapter sets out the general conditions to be
applied for ultrasonic examinations specified by this
code. These conditions apply to the single probe
reflection method (using one or two piezoelectric
elements) (MC 2110)
The area subjected to examination shall include at
least the weld metal and the heat affected zones.
(MC 2632)
Ultrasonic examination shall be performed by
personnel certified in compliance with MC 8000.
(MC 2121)
The range of central frequency of ultrasonic
examination equipment shall normally be between 1
and 6MHz. (MC 2131)
The probe nominal frequency as well as the size of
piezoelectric elements shall be chosen in accordance
with the types and sizes of material under
examination. Frequency shall generally be within a
range of between 1 and 6 MHz for longitudinal and
shear waves. Piezoelectric elements may be circular or
rectangular in shape. (For manual inspection, the
length to width ratio shall be ≤ 1.5 for rectangular
shaped elements). The largest allowable dimension for
the piezoelectric element shall be between 10 and
30mm. (MC 2132)
Coupling medium such as water with or without
 detrimental to the material being examined. Couplants
used on nickel base alloys shall not contain more than
250 ppm of sulphur. Couplants used on austenitic
stainless steel or titanium shall not contain more than
250 ppm of halides (chlorides plus fluorides).
(Article 4, T-433)
07 Calibration & Reference Blocks The material from which the block is fabricated shall
be of the same product form and material specification
or equivalent P-number grouping as one of the material
being examined. (Article 4, T-434)
08 Calibration Reflectors Specified reflectors (i.e., side-drilled holes, flat bottom
holes, notches etc.) shall be used to establish primary
reference response of the equipment. (Article 4, T-434)
09 Surface Preparation The finish on the scanning surfaces of the block shall
be representative of the scanning surface finishes on
the component to be examined. (Article 4, T-434.1.6)
10 Temperature For contact examination, the temperature differential
between the calibration block and examination surfaces
shall be within 25 Fº (14 Cº). (Article 4, T-462.6)
11 Ultrasonic Instrument Checks Screen height linearity and amplitude control linearity
of ultrasonic instrument shall be checked at intervals
wetting agent, paste medium, oils, grease and cellulose
adhesive with water added, etc. may be used. The
characteristics of coupling media shall remain
unchanged throughout the examination session.
(MC 2133)
Calibration & reference blocks shall be manufactured
in accordance with the following clarification:
It shall be taken from:
► a prolongation of the part to be examined.
► a discard from a part made from the same material
and having undergone the same heat treatment as
the part under examination.
►a product with characteristics similar to the
acoustical properties of the material under
examination. (MC 2134.2)
The position & number of reflectors, when required,
shall be such that the entire thickness of the part can
be inspected. (MC 2134.2)
The scanning surfaces shall be free from paint, loose
scale, dried coupling medium or any other surface
deposit or irregularity which may adversely affect the
transmission of waves in the part, hinder the free
movement of the probe or cause interpretational errors
(spurious echoes due to wave mode conversion).
(MC 2141)
Not Given
Linearity of time base and linearity of equipment gain
shall be checked every week. The deviation from
 not to exceed three months for analog type instruments linearity shall not exceed ± 2 % of full screen width.
and one year for digital type instruments or prior to (MC 2142.1)
first use thereafter. The settings and readings shall be
estimated to the nearest 1% of full screen.
(Article 4, T-461)

12 Straight Beam Calibration ● Position the search unit for the maximum first For normal probe examination, the time base
indication from the 1/4 T SDH. Adjust the left edge calibration may be performed on a section of the part
of this indication to line 2 on the screen with the with parallel surfaces. This operation shall be
delay control. performed prior to each test session. (MC 2142.2)
● Position the search unit for the maximum indication
from ¾ T SDH. Adjust the left edge of this
indication to line 6 on the screen with the range
control.
● Repeat the delay and range control adjustments until
the ¼ T and ¾ T SDH indications start at sweep
lines 2 and 6.
● The back surface indication will appear near sweep
line 8.
● Two divisions on the sweep equal ¼ T.
(Article 4, C-461)

13 Angle Beam Calibration ● Position the search unit for the maximum indication
from the 4 in. (100mm) radius of IIW block, while
rotating it side to side to also maximize the second
reflector indication.
● Without moving the search unit, adjust the delay and
range control adjustment until the two indications
start at their respective metal path distances.
● Repeat delay and range control adjustment until the
two indications are at their proper metal path on the
screen.
● Two divisions on the sweep now equal 1/5 of the
screen range selected. (Article 4, B-461.2)
The time base calibration specifically for angle probes,
determination of the angle of reflection shall be
performed:
● for ferritic steel parts using the calibration block.
● for austenitic steel and high nickel alloys: using
artificial reflectors placed in the test piece made of
material possessing similar acoustical characteristics
to the parts under examination. The accuracy to be
obtained using this method shall be in the same
range as for Ferritic steel with the calibration block.
(MC 2142.2)

14