NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’ 1

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NDT IN ASME CODES AND ISO STANDARDS- DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES

Mohseen Shakeel Shaikh
Insight Quality Services, Office No.507/508, 5th Floor, Office No.414, 4th floor, Building No.1, Siddharth Towers,Sr. No. 12/3B, Near Sangam
Press, Kothrud, Pune : 411 029, Maharashtra, India.
mohsin1591@gmail.com

Abstract. This paper attempts to summarize the differences in application of NDT with respect to ASME BPV Code and ISO Standards.
paper also provides a comprehensive comparison of ASME BPV Code and ISO standards from a standpoint of an Inspector. The purpose
selecting these for comparison is simple – they are the most utilized and recognized code and standards used throughout wide industrial s
With respect to mechanical industry, both ASME and ISO codes are dominant codes used in industry, especially in oil and gas industry.
is increase in demand for ISO based manufactured products e.g. ISO 15085 (Welding of railway vehicles and components), using ISO 38
(Welding requirements) demand for ISO standards for NDT.

In India, ASME based system are widely used., but ISO based systems are also picking up the pace.
Hence, with changing economic situations, manufacturers/ inspectors need to understand the differences between the ASME and ISO bas
systems for manufacturing of different products.
Thus,with that point of view, our discussion will be focused on differences between ASME and ISO standards pertaining to NDT(For W
sector)

Keywords: ASME BPV Code, ISO standards, Non-destructive Testing, Differences, Comparison

1 INTRODUCTION

The single most important purpose of NDT is to ensure safety of human life and its environment. Hence, Non-destructive testing is requi
law in many industries over the world. The legal technical requirements are often based on research and experience that are published by
international organizations, such as ASME or ISO. Thus, an essential purpose of NDT is ensuring regulatory compliance. NDT standards
specify requirements related to the materials to be tested, methods of testing to be used, periodicity of testing, minimum acceptance crite
recording results and so on. NDT personnel use these standards as references when developing inspection procedures and solutions.
 2 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

In this era of liberalization and with globalized economies, an industry is compelled to manufacture products (boilers, pressure vessels, p
structures, nuclear components etc.) which comply to various National / International Codes or Standards. Complying to these Codes /
Standards leads to products pertaining to given Quality, Reliability and Uniformity.

Different countries or entities follow different regulations, so companies operating in multiple countries may have to meet different testin
reporting requirements for the same application.

2 COMPARISON

2.1 Liquid Penetrant Testing

Standard used: ASME Sec.V Article 6 Edition 2019

ISO 3452-1 :2014 Liquid penetrant testing – General principles

Sr. No. Description ASME ISO

1. Written Procedure Required Required
2. Personnel qualification As per written practice As per ISO 9712 or equivalent
3. Equipment Conforms with SE 165 Conforms with ISO 3452-4
4. Temperature limits As a standard technique, the temperature of the The testing material, the test surfa
penetrant and the surface of the part to be and the ambient temperature shall
processed shall not be below 40°F (5°C) nor within the range from 10 °C to 50
above 125°F (52°C) throughout except for the drying process.
the examination period
5. Application of penetrant The penetrant may be applied by any suitable Penetrant can be applied to the par
means, such as dipping, brushing, or spraying. be tested by spraying, brushing,
flooding, dipping or immersion
6. Dwell time The maximum dwell time shall not exceed 2 hr or The penetration time shall be betw
as qualified by demonstration for specific 5 min and 60 min and shall not be
applications. than the manufacturer’s recommen
time for the required sensitivity.
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7. Excess removal water Excess water-washable penetrants shall be The excess penetrant shall be remo
washable removed with a water spray. The water pressure by washing (rinsing), immersion o
shall not exceed 50 psi (350kPa), and the water wiping using water. Pressure not
temperature shall not exceed 110°F (43°C).Or specified.
wiping with cloth
8. Lipophilic emulsifier The excess surface penetrant shall be it shall be rendered water rinsable
emulsified by immersing or flooding the part with by application of an emulsifier. Th
the emulsifier. can only be done by immersion.
9. Hydrophilic emulsifier Pre-rinse before application of emulsifier is Pre-rinse before application of
recommended emulsifier is recommended
10. Light intensity during UV-A lights shall achieve a minimum of For fluorescent technique minimu
excess removal 1000 μW/cm2 on the surface of the part being 100µw/cm2 on test surface and vis
(Fluorescent) examined throughout the examination. light not more than 100 lux in dark
room.
11. Light intensity during Not specified For colour contrast penetrants the
excess removal (Visible) white light illuminance on the test
surface shall be more than 350 lx.
12. Developing time Final interpretation shall be made not less than 10 The development time should be
min nor more than 60 min between 10 min and 30 min
13. Dark adaptation Examiners shall be in a darkened area for at least Sufficient time shall be allowed fo
5 min prior to performing examinations to enable operator’s eyes to become dark-
their adapted in the inspection area, at l
eyes to adapt to dark viewing 1 min.
14. Light intensity during UV-A lights shall achieve a minimum of The UV-A irradiance at the surfac
inspection (Fluorescent) 1000 μW/cm2 on the surface of the part being inspected shall be 10 W/m2
examined throughout the examination. It shall be (1000μW/cm2) or greater with a lo
performed in a darkened area with a maximum level of visible light (maximum to
ambient white light level of 2 fc (21.5 lx) ambient and from UV-A source 20
15. Light intensity during The minimum light intensity shall be 100 fc (1 For inspection, the illuminance at
inspection (Visible) 076 lx) test surface shall be 500 lx or grea
16. Post cleaning When required by procedure When required by next operation
17. Acceptance criteria Any referencing code can be used As per ISO 23277
 4 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

18. Process control As per SE 165 As per annexure B of ISO 3452-1

19. Halogen and sulfur Less than 0.1% by weight Less than 200 ppm (ISO 3452-2)
content
20 Sensitivity level Not specified To be determined by using Type 1
reference block (ISO 3452-3)

2.2 Visual Testing

Standard used: ASME Sec.V Article 9 Edition 2019

ISO 17637: 2016 Visual testing of fusion welded joints

Sr. Description ASME ISO

No.
1. Written procedure Required Not specified
2. Personnel qualification As per written practice It is recommended that the personnel performi
indirect visual testing is qualified according to
9712
3. Procedure demonstration Required Not specified
4. Viewing distance Within 600 mm Within 600 mm
5. Viewing angle Not less than 300 w.r.t test surface Not less than 300 w.r.t test surface
6. Light intensity Minimum 1076 lux on test surface Minimum 350 lux on test surface but 500 lux
recommended.
7. Light meter calibration Annually Annually (ISO 3059)
8. Weld gauges Not specified Specific information on weld gauges used is
provided in Annexure A
9. Visual testing before, Not specified Specified
during and after welding
10. Visual testing of Specified Not specified
translucent material
11. Acceptance criteria Any referencing code can be used As per ISO 5817 for steel, nickel and titanium
As per ISO 10042 for aluminium alloy
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2.3 Magnetic particle testing:

Standard used: ASME Sec. V Article 7 Edition 2019

ISO 9934-1: 2016 Magnetic particle testing – General principles

Sr.No. Description ASME ISO

1. Procedure Required When required by enquiry or order
2. Personnel qualification As per written practice As per ISO 9712
3. Non- ferromagnetic coating Need to be demonstrated Non-ferromagnetic coatings up to
approximately 50 μm thickness, such as
unbroken adherent paint layers, do not
normally impair detection sensitivity.
4. Techniques specified Head shot, Coil shot, central conductor, Axial current flow (Head shot), Coil sho
yoke, prod and multi direction Threaded conductor (central conductor),
magnetization yoke, prod, induced current, adjacent
conductor and flexible coil
5. Current calculation (Head 300 to 800 Amp/inch of part diameter I=Hxp
shot) H tangential field strength required.
Generally 2 kA/m, p is perimeter of
component
6. Current calculation (Coil L/D ≥ 4, NI = 35000/(L/D) NI = 0.4x H x K/ (L/D)
shot) 2 ≤ L/D < 4, NI = 45000/(L/D) H tangential field strength required.
L/D < 2, coil shot not applicable Generally 2 kA/m, K = 11000 for HWDC
Max. L is 18 inches. and DC, K= 22000 for AC,
L/D < 5 magnetic extenders to be used.
Max. L/D is 20.
7. Current calculation (Central 300 to 800 Amp/inch of part diameter I=Hxp
conductor) H tangential field strength required.
Generally 2 kA/m, p is perimeter of
component
 6 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

8. Prods For thickness ≥ 19 mm, 100 to 125 I = 2.5 x H x d

Amp/inch of prod spacing
For thickness <19 mm, 90 to 110
Amp/inch
9. Lifting power of yoke Minimum 4.5 kg at maximum pole Minimum 4.5 kg at maximum pole spaci
spacing being used being used (ISO 9934-4)
10. DC and permanent yoke Can be use Can only be used if agreed by customer
11. Tangential field strength Not specified Required minimum 2 kA/m
required
12. Detection media As per SE 709 As per ISO 9934-2
13. Concentration 0.1 to 0.4 ml/100ml for fluorescent As recommended by manufacturer (ISO
1.2 to 2.4 ml/100 ml for visible 9934-2)

14. Light intensity during UV-A lights shall achieve a minimum of
inspection 1000 μW/cm2 on the surface of the part
being examined throughout the
examination. It shall be performed in a
darkened area with a maximum
ambient white light level of 2 fc (21.5 lx)
15. Acceptance criteria Any referencing code can be used
16. Demagnetization When required by next operation
The UV-A irradiance at the surface inspe
shall be 10 W/m2 (1000μW/cm2) or grea
with a low level of visible light (maximu
total of ambient and from UV-A source
lx).
As per ISO 3059.
As per ISO 23278
When required by enquiry or order
 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’ 7

2.4 Radiographic testing:

Standard used: ASME Sec.V Article 2 Edition 2019

ISO 17636-1: 2013 Radiographic testing of weld- X and gamma radiography using films

Sr.No. Description ASME ISO

1. Procedure Required Not specified
2. Personnel qualification As per written practice As per ISO 9712
3. Testing technique Not specified Technique A – Basic technique
Technique B – Improved techniq
4. IQI Type Hole or wire type IQI can be used Stepped hole or wire type IQI can
used
5. IQI selection As per Table T -276 As per Annexure B or ISO 19232
per Technique being used A or B
6. Backscatter B lead symbol “B,” with minimum dimensions of The presence of backscattered
7/16 in. (11 mm) in height and 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) radiation shall be checked for eac
in thickness, shall be attached to the back of each new test arrangement by means o
film holder during each exposure to determine if lead letter B (with a minimum he
backscatter radiation is exposing the film of 10 mm and a minimum thickn
of 1,5 mm) placed immediately
behind each cassette
7. Wire type IQI placement Wires shall be perpendicular to weld axis Wires shall be perpendicular to w
axis
8. Minimum wire length to Not specified When using a wire IQI, the wires
be visible on radiograph shall be directed perpendicular to
weld and its location shall ensure
that at least 10 mm of the wire le
shows in a section of uniform op
density
9. Requirements for Wire SE- 747 ISO 19232-1
Type IQI
 8 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

10. Requirements for Hole SE-1025 ISO 19232-2

type IQI
11. Identification of A system shall be used to produce permanent
radiographs identification on each radiograph traceable to the
contract, component, weld or weld seam, or part
numbers, as appropriate. In addition, the
Manufacturer’s symbol or name and the date of
the radiograph shall be plainly
and permanently included on the radiograph.
12. Requirement for DWDI Diameter should be 3 1/2 in.
(elliptical technique) (89 mm) or Less
Nominal single wall thickness to be considered
while selecting IQI
Only source side IQI is acceptable
13. Minimum SOD calculation Ug = f x d/ D
Where f is focal size, d is object to film distance
,D is source to object distance, Ug is geometric
unsharpness.
Value of Ug can be taken from T-274.2
Symbols shall be affixed to each
section of the object being
radiographed. The images of thes
symbols shall appear in the
radiograph outside the region of
interest where possible and shall
ensure unambiguous identificatio
the section.
The elliptical technique (double w
and double image) in accordance
Figure 11 should not be used for
external diameter De > 100 mm o
wall thickness t > 8 mm or weld
width >De/4. Two 90 ° displaced
images are sufficient if t/De < 0,1
otherwise three images are neede
The distance between the two
projected weld images shall be ab
one weld width.
Twice the thickness of the pipe to
considered while selecting IQI
IQI can be placed on film side.
For technique A
f/d ≥ 7.5 b2/3
For technique B
f/d ≥ 15 b2/3
where f is source to object distan
is object to film distance, b is sou
size.
 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’ 9

14. Film side IQI Where inaccessibility prevents Where the IQIs are placed on the
hand placing the IQI(s) on the source side, the side, the letter F shall be placed n
IQI(s) shall be placed on the film side in contact the IQI and it shall be stated in th
with the part being examined. A lead letter “F” test report.
shall be placed adjacent to
or on the IQI(s), but shall not mask the essential
hole where hole IQIs are used.
15. Film type to be used Not specified Specified in Table 3
16. Radiation source to be Not specified Specified in Table 2
used based on thickness
17. X-ray voltage to be used Not specified Specified in figure 20
based on thickness
18. Density requirements The transmitted film density through the Minimum 2.0 for Technique A
radiographic image of the body of Minimum 2.3 for Technique B
the designated hole-type IQI adjacent to the
essential hole or adjacent to the essential wire of a
wire-type IQI and the area of interest shall be 1.8
minimum for single film viewing for radiographs
made with an X-ray source and 2.0 minimum for
radiographs made with a gamma ray source. The
maximum density shall be 4.0.
The density of the radiograph anywhere through
the area of interest shall not vary by more than
minus 15% or plus 30% from
the density through the body of the designated
hole-type IQI adjacent to the essential hole or
adjacent to the essential
wire of a wire-type IQI,
19. Fog density Not specified The fog density shall not exceed
Fog density here is defined as the
total density (emulsion and base)
processed, unexposed film.
 10 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

20. Acceptance criteria Any referencing code can be used ISO 10675-1 for steel welds
ISO 10675-2 for aluminium weld
21. Intensifying screens As per SE 94 As per Table 3
22. Cranking time Not specified In cases where radiographs are
produced using gamma-rays, the
travel time to position the source
not exceed 10 % of the total expo
time.

2.5 Ultrasonic testing

Standard used ASME Sec.V Article 4 Edition 2019

ISO 17640: 2018 – Ultrasonic testing of weld

Sr.No. Description ASME ISO

1. Procedure Required Not mandatory
2. Personnel qualification As per written practice As per ISO 9712
3. Procedure demonstration Required Not specified
4. UT Equipment A pulse-echo-type of ultrasonic instrument Any equipment used for testing in
shall be used. The instrument shall be conjunction with this document sha
capable of operation at frequencies over the comply with the requirements of EN
range of at least 1 MHz to 5 MHz and shall 12668 (all parts).
be equipped with a stepped gain control in
units
of 2.0 dB or less
5. Probe frequency 1 to 5 MHz 2 to 5 MHz
6. Temperature limits Not specified 00 to 600 C
7. Thickness limits Not specified Thickness ≥ 8 mm
8. Material Not specified Ferritic steel
9. Testing levels Not specified Testing levels A,B,C and D with
different probability of detection.
 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’ 11

10. Angle of impingement Not specified Between 350 to 700

11. Transducer size Not specified Small probes having 6 mm to 12 m
diameter transducers (or rectangula
transducers of equivalent area) are
therefore most useful when working
short sound paths. For longer sound
paths, i.e. greater than 100 mm for
single-transducer and greater than 2
mm for angle-beam probes, a transd
size of 12 mm to 24 mm is more
suitable.
12. Contact wedges Search units shall be contoured as required For scanning on convex surfaces th
by the probe face shall be contoured when
following equation: diameter of the test object, Dobj,
is below ten times the length of the
probe shoe, lps,

where Dobj < 10lps

A = length of search unit footprint during
circumferential Where Dobj is object diameter and
scanning or the width when scanning in the length of probe shoe.
axial
direction, in. (mm)
D = the component diameter at inspection
surface
(I.D./O.D.), in. (mm)
13. Technique specified DAC using SDH, FBH and Notches DAC, DGS, Notches and Tandem
technique
14. Requirement for gap between Not specified Max 0.5 mm gap is allowed
probe and surface
15. Requirements for DAC for As per figure T-434.2.1 Diameter of SDH shall be 3 mm
weld testing irrespective of thickness.
 12 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’
16. Limits for transfer correction
17. Signal to noise ratio
18. Sample scan plan for different
joint configuration
19. Temperature difference
between reference block and
part to be examined
20. Requirement for nozzle side
calibration block
21. Requirement for curve
calibration block for diameter
greater than 500 mm
22. Scanning speed
23. Acceptance criteria
Diameter of SDH is different for different
thickness.
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
For contact examination, the
temperature differential between the
calibration block and examination surfaces
shall be within 25°F (14°C).
For immersion examination, the couplant
temperature for calibration shall be within
25°F (14°C) of the couplant temperature for
examination.
Specified in T-466
Specified in T-434.1.7.2
Max. 150 mm/sec.
Any referencing code can be used.
Block shall be prepared according t
ISO 16811 Annexure B
If the differences are less than or eq
to 2 dB, correction is not required.
If the differences are greater than 2
but smaller than or equal to 12 dB,
shall be compensated for.
If transfer losses exceed 12 dB, the
reason shall be considered and furth
preparation of the scanning surfaces
shall be carried out, if applicable.
During testing of the weld, the nois
level, excluding spurious surface
indications, shall remain at least 12
below the evaluation level
Specified in Annexure A
The temperature difference during r
and sensitivity setting and during th
shall be within ±15 °C.
Not specified
Not specified
Max. 150 mm/sec
ISO 11666: 2018
 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’ 13

3 CONCLUSION

So far we have discussed the differences between ASME codes and ISO standards from procedure point of view, and also sa
some similarities. The differences are important, if one learns both the systems, to avoid any mix up.

The Level 3 gives the procedure, Level 2 conducts the tests as per procedure. When the Level 2 person is qualified in both t
systems and has to work with both the systems. i.e. ISO and ASME, he must keep in mind the differences and similarities
between these codes while on the job. This paper provide a ready reference for Inspectors/ Manufacture to understand the
differences in both the systems.

4 ABBREVIATIONS

ASME – American society for mechanical Engineers

NDT – Non-destructive testing
ISO – International organization for standardization
VT – Visual Testing
PT – Penetrant testing
RT – Radiographic testing
MT – Magnetic particle testing
SDH – Side drilled hole
FBH – Flat bottomed hole
DGS – Distance gain and sizing
DAC – Distance amplitude correction
OD- Outer diameter
ID – Inside diameter
dB – decibel
SOD – Source to object distance
OFD - Object to film distance
SWSI - Single wall single image
DWDI – Double wall double image
 14 NDE2020, 068, v1: ’NDT in ASME code and ISO Standards - Differences and Similarities’

DWSI – Double wall single image

UV – Ultraviolet

5 REFERENCES

ASME Sec.V Edition 2019

ISO 3452-1 :2014 Liquid penetrant testing – General principles
ISO 17637: 2016 Visual testing of fusion welded joints
ISO 9934-1: 2016 Magnetic particle testing – General principles
ISO 17636-1: 2013 Radiographic testing of weld- X and gamma radiography using films
ISO 17640: 2018 – Ultrasonic testing of weld
ISO 11666:2018 - Ultrasonic testing of weld- Acceptance Level