There are five main target when calibrating AUT system .

Zonel
Volumetric
centerline
transverse
Tofd

Since AUT, just like any other UT inspection, is a comparative inspection technique,
calibration is a key factor. Reproducible inspection relies on this entirely. Reference
plates with their typical Z-shape, first introduced by RTD, allow machining of all
prescribed artificial defects(reflectors). Two identical sets of reflectors are provided,
one for each set of probes placed at the downstream and upstream side of the weld
The reference reflectors the plate should contain are described in the applicable
inspection code. An individual reflector is available in the plate for each ultrasonic
beam (or zone). All reflectors have to be machined with high accuracy in terms of
size, location, inclination/orientation, and surface finish. Each reference plate should
be made from a sample taken from the actual pipe batch to be certain that structure,
composition and grain size are identical to those in the pipes to be inspected. The use
of such real pipe samples (coupons) is required because pipe materials from different
suppliers - even from the same supplier - can have slightly varying composition and
structures. This can result in sound velocity differences for shear waves and, as a
consequence, in probe angle deviations or inaccuracies. See the earlier paragraph
“Anisotropy and reference plates.”

The zonal targets are the FBHs and cap and root notches spaced

along the weld bevel profile. These were initially only 2mm

diameter FBHs. By the late 1990s many were using 3mm diameter

FBHs. More recently a major project used a 2.5mm diameter FBH as

the zone target.

Some users consider that the target size is in some way related to the

zone size, especially in the Fill region. This is a misunderstanding of

the intent of the targets. Zonal targets are located to indicate the ideal

weld bevel profile and the depth of the designed zone. The diameter

of the FBH only determines the sensitivity required to set the

reference level. The FBH diameter can be bigger or smaller than the

zone in which it is centered. For example, the vertical lands just

above the root in Figure 4-1 are 1.2mmand 1.1mm respectively, but

either the 2mm or 3mm diameter FBH would be greater than the

zone (both diameters have been used depending on the project).

Conversely, in the 4-Fill option we considered in Figure 4-9, the Fill

zones were 2.6mm vertical extent. A 2mm diameter FBH is smaller

than the zone and a 3mm FBH larger, but both options of targets can

be used. What is sometimes missed in this assessment of choice of

targets is the actual effect on ultrasonicresponses. When calibrating

on a block, nothing is changed in the transmitted pulse from a probe.

Thevoltage applied to the element, the focussing effects of the

element (s), and the material in which it istransmitting, fixes pulse

energy. Placing a small target in the beam, e.g,, a 2mm diameter

FBHcompared to a larger target, e.g., a 3mm diameter FBH, changes

only the amount of returned pressureIn order to bring a 2mm

diameter FBH response to 80% FSH requires more amplification of

thereturned pulse. Ermolov ( derived empirical equations for the

amplitude relationship of one sizetarget to another for on-axis targets

of various shapes. Ermolov's equations indicate that a 7.2dB

difference would exist between the response from a 2mm and 3mm

diameter FBH at the near zone of an ultrasonic probe. By calibrating

on a 3mm diameter hole, compared to a 2mm FBH, we

effectivelyreduce sensitivity to all indications. But in AUT, the

practical effect is that responses to off-axisindications are reduced.

This has a marked effect on the sensitivity of a system to the zones

above orbelow those we are calibrating on. Detection of off-axis

flaws is called overtrace. One of the purposesof beam focussing is to

reduce the effects of overtrace. This matter was discussed earlier, In

Figure 4-5we illustrated the overlap of the pressure boundaries for

the two hot pass beams. ASTM E-196 provides guidance on the

overtrace. It recommends that adjacent channels should have an

overtraceless than 6dB from the main targets but more than 14dB.
The upper left sketch in Figure 7-1 indicates a path to the LCP. This target is at the
centerline, so no real difference exists when determining the gate length from the
zonal target arrival signal. The amplitude and time gates need only encompass the full
signal to ensure that the centerline is exceeded by 1mm. But in Figure 7-1 the time
gate is indicated as being longer than the amplitude gate. This allows the time
indicator (shaded or color bars) to monitor signals that might arise from the root
geometry. Since the root geometry signal is only about 2-3mm from the weld
centerline it can be difficult to discriminate a non-fusion flaw from a geometric signal.
By having a geometry signal in the time gate and watching for it to move back to the
expected time position for a non-fusion flaw, the characterization of flaws is made
easier. An example of the actual signal seen for the LCP was shown in Figure 4-3
where the lower red line (at 5% FSH) indicates the amplitude gate and the longer
Greenline at 20% FSH indicates the time gate.

In the upper right of Figure 7-1, the upper hot pass target and sound path are
indicated. This target is mid-wall so there is little risk that signals will arise from
surrounding geometries that could be confused with a flaw. However, it is noted that
the portion of the beam that strikes the through hole or slot has no notable backscatter
path to indicate the centerline target. Any signals from this centerline target will be
very weak, In this case the amplitude and time gates are made the same length. In the
lower portion of Figure 7-1, the pulse-echo configuration of the upper fill zone is
indicated as using the "quasi-tandem" path for detection of the upper fill FBH. The
dashed line that projects past the FBH would, on the calibration block, bounce off the
top surface and find a return path longer than the FBH primary target, This return path
signal from the through slot can be used to determine the gate length for the amplitude
information, However, like the root area, the cap is sometimes plague with geometry
signals causing interfering amplitude signals. In some cases it may also be advisable
to have the time gate longer than the amplitude gate in the upper fill zone.
In all cases, the position of the signal in the time gate should be close to the middle of
the time gate When the time and amplitude gates are of unequal lengths they will
invariably start at the same time but the amplitude gate length may be shortened to
avoid geometry signals. The abrupt change of a signal in the time gate from a position
late in the gate to a position nearer the middle or earlier point in the gate provides an
indication of a potential flaw.