ASTM Acceptance Criteria

The ASTM for Ultrasonic Testing provides acceptance criteria for ultrasonic
testing (UT) in diverse applications and materials.

These criteria serve as crucial guidelines, establishing acceptable limits for flaws
and defects like cracks, inclusions, voids, volumetric defects, etc. during
inspections

Commonly used ASTM standards for acceptance criteria in ultrasonic testing

include:

• ASTM E213 - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Metal Pipe and
Tubing
• ASTM E428 - Standard Practice for Fabrication and Control of Metal,
Other than Aluminium, Reference Blocks Used in Ultrasonic Testing
• ASTM E1065 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Characteristics of
Ultrasonic Search Units
• ASTM E164 - Standard Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of
Weldments
• ASTM E114 - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam
Contact Testing

ASTM A435 Acceptance criteria:

ASTM A435 outlines specific acceptance criteria for the ultrasonic examination
of steel plates.

Factors considered include the maximum allowable size, location, and nature of
detected indications, ensuring material integrity.
Reference standards are used for calibration, and full plate coverage is typically
required. Adherence to these criteria is crucial for the accurate evaluation and
acceptance of steel plates.

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section V, Article 4

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section V, Article 4, specifically

addresses the requirements and guidelines for ultrasonic examination methods
used in the inspection of pressure vessels.

This includes the ultrasonic inspection of pressure welds.

ASME Section V, Article 4, defines the acceptance criteria for evaluating

detected indications, including sizing, location, and severity of flaws.

These criteria determine whether the Pressure Vessel meets the required safety
and quality standards and indicate to an operator how to pass a UT weld test.

ASME Section VIII Division 1 – Pressure Vessel Construction – Ultrasonic

Testing (UT) Inspection Services

In the construction of pressure vessels, Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is an essential

technique employed to ensure the vessels' structural integrity and safety.

This non-destructive inspection method involves the use of high-frequency

ultrasonic waves directed into the vessel's walls via a specialized transducer.

In UT examination, the waves penetrate the material and any internal flaws, such
as cracks, laminations, or corrosion, generate reflections that are carefully
detected and analyzed.
By comparing the results against predefined UT acceptance criteria (ASME
VIII), inspectors can assess the condition of the pressure vessel and determine if
any repairs or further evaluations are necessary.

UT plays a vital role in ensuring the reliable operation of Pressure Vessel,

providing peace of mind for their safe usage in various industrial applications.

UT acceptance criteria ASME VIII shall apply unless other standards are
specified for specific applications within this Division.

Imperfections that produce a response greater than 20% of the reference level
shall be investigated to the extent that the operator can determine the shape,
identity, and location of all such imperfections and evaluate them regarding the
acceptance standards given in (a) and (b) below.

Indications characterized as cracks, lack of fusion, or incomplete penetration are

unacceptable regardless of other imperfections.

If the indications exceed the reference level amplitude and have lengths that
exceed:

• 1/4 in. (6 mm) for t up to 3/4 in. (19 mm);

• 1/3t for t from 3/4 in. to 21/4 in. (19 mm to 57 mm); (3) 3/4 in. (19 mm)
for t over 21/4 in. (57mm).

where t is the thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For
a butt weld joining two members having different thicknesses at the weld, t is the
thinner of these two thicknesses. If a full penetration weld includes a fillet weld,
the thickness of the throat of the fillet shall be i

ASME B 16.34 – Valves – Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a critical method for inspecting valves in various
industries, ensuring their integrity and reliability, as they play a crucial role in
controlling fluid flow and preventing leaks or process disruptions.

During valve UT inspections, a specialized transducer transmits high-frequency

ultrasonic waves into the valve components.

These waves travel through the material, and any internal flaws like cracks,
corrosion, or material degradation create reflections that the transducer detects.

Analyzing the received signals reveals the size, location, and nature of these
defects.

Acceptance Standards:

• Straight Beam Examination

Indications which are equal to or exceed that obtained from a 6.4 mm (0.25 in.)
diameter flat-bottomed hole in a calibration test piece of thickness equal to the
defect depth are unacceptable.

• Angle Beam Examination

Indications equal to or exceeding those obtained from a 60-degree V-notch, 25

mm (1.0 in.) long, and having a depth not greater than 5% of the nominal wall
thickness in a test piece are unacceptable.

ASME B 31.1 – Power Piping – Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) plays a vital role in inspecting power piping, ensuring
its integrity and safety in power generation facilities.
This non-destructive method is essential for maintaining the seamless flow of
fluids and efficient energy production.

Specialized probes transmit high-frequency ultrasonic waves into the piping

walls, allowing the detection of internal flaws like corrosion, cracks, or
variations in wall thickness.

Through careful analysis of received signals, inspectors assess the size, location,
and nature of defects.

Timely UT pipe inspection enables proactive maintenance, facilitating necessary

repairs and ensuring the reliable and safe operation of power piping systems in
various industrial settings.

Welds that are shown by ultrasonic examination to have discontinuities that

produce an indication greater than 20% of the reference level shall be
investigated to the extent that ultrasonic examination personnel can determine
their shape, identity, and location so that they may evaluate each discontinuity
for acceptance by (B.1) and (B.2) below.

(B.1) Discontinuities evaluated as cracks, lack of fusion, or incomplete

penetration are unacceptable regardless of length.

(B.2) Other discontinuities are unacceptable if the indication exceeds the

reference level, and their length exceeds the following:

(B.2.1) ¼” (6.0 mm) for t up to ¾” (19.0 mm).

(B.2.2) 1/3 t for t from ¾” (19.0 mm) to 2 ¼ “ (57.0 mm).

(B.2.3) ¾”. (19.0 mm) for t over 2¼” (57.0 mm)

Where t is the thickness of the weld being examined. If the weld joins two
members having different thicknesses at the weld, t is the thinner of these two
thicknesses.

ASME B31.3 Process Piping – Ultrasonic Testing

In various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, and power
generation, Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is widely utilized for the inspection of
process piping.

The main goal of UT in this context is to evaluate the structural integrity of the
pipes and identify any potential flaws or defects that could jeopardize their
performance and safety.

The inspection process involves surface preparation, careful selection of suitable

ultrasonic probes, and precise calibration of the equipment to ensure accurate
results.

During the inspection, ultrasonic waves are directed through the pipes, and any
internal defects, such as cracks or corrosion, reflect these waves to the
transducer.

Specialized software is used to analyze the received signals, providing valuable

information about the size, location, and characteristics of the detected flaws.

By comparing the results with established NDT acceptance criteria (ASME),

inspectors can make informed decisions about necessary repairs or further
evaluations.
Regular NDT UT inspections play a crucial role in proactive maintenance,
helping to prevent potential downtime, safety incidents, and environmental
hazards associated with faulty process piping.

Inspection of Weld Joints carried as per ASME Section V, Article 4:

Pipe and Tubing

• Pipe and tubing required or selected in accordance with Table K305.1.2 to

undergo ultrasonic examination shall pass a 100% examination for
longitudinal defects in accordance with ASTM E213 Ultrasonic Testing of
Metal Pipe and Tubing.

Longitudinal (axial) reference notches shall be introduced on the outer

and inner surfaces of the calibration (reference) standard in accordance with Fig.
3(c) of ASTM E213 to a depth not greater than the larger of 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
or 4% of specimen thickness and a length not more than 10 times the notch
depth.

• Acceptance Criteria: Any indication greater than that produced by the

calibration notch representation.

Welds over 6mm thick can be ultrasonically tested in reference to the procedure
given in ASME Sec V article 4.

Indications shall be sized using the applicable technique(s) provided in the

written procedure for the examination method. Indications shall be evaluated for
acceptance as follows:

• All indications characterized as cracks, lack of fusion, or incomplete

penetration are unacceptable regardless of
 • Indications exceeding 1/8 in. (3 mm) in length are considered relevant and
are unacceptable when their lengths exceed.
• 1/8 in. (3 mm) for t up to 3/8 in. (10 mm).
• 1/3t for t from 3/8 in. to 21/4 in. (10 mm to 57 mm).

(3) 3/4 in. (19 mm) for t over 21/4 in. (57 mm), where “t” is the thickness of the
weld excluding any allowable reinforcement.

For a butt weld joining two members having different thicknesses at the weld, t
is the thinner of these two thicknesses.

If a full penetration weld includes a fillet weld, the thickness of the throat of the
fillet shall be included in t.

API 1104 Welding of Pipelines & Related Facilities – Ultrasonic Testing –

Acceptance level

Ultrasonic Pipe Testing (UT) plays a critical role in inspecting pipelines and
related facilities, particularly in industries like oil and gas.

The establishment of acceptance criteria in UT pipe testing is of utmost

importance, as they dictate the allowable defect sizes, locations, and compliance
with industry codes.

These criteria consider factors such as the Probability of Detection (POD), the
pipeline's criticality, material properties, environmental influences, and
validation procedures.

By adhering to these guidelines, operators, and inspectors can ensure the safety,
reliability, and compliance of the infrastructure.
Additionally, acceptance criteria assist in making educated decisions regarding
necessary repairs and maintenance actions to uphold the structural integrity of
the pipelines and related facilities effectively.

• Acceptance Standards 9.6.2.1 Indications determined to be cracks (C) shall

be considered.
• Linear surface (LS) indications (other than cracks) interpreted to be open
to the D. or O.D. surface shall be considered defects should any of the
following conditions exist:

1. The aggregate length of LS indications in any continuous 12” (300-

mm) length of weld exceeds 1”. (25 mm).

2. The aggregate length of LS Indications exceeds 8% of the weld.

• Linear buried (LB) indications (other than cracks) interpreted to be

subsurface within the weld and not I.D. or O.D. surface-connected shall be
considered defects should any of the following conditions exist:

1. The aggregate length of LB indications in any continuous 12” (300-

mm) length of weld exceeds 2” (50 mm).

2. The aggregate length of LB indications exceeds 8% of the weld.

• Transverse (T) indications (other than cracks) shall be considered

volumetric and evaluated using the criteria for volumetric indications. The
letter T shall be used to designate all reported transverse indications.
• Volumetric cluster (VC) indications shall be considered defects when the
maximum dimension of VC indications exceeds 1/2 “(13 mm).
 • Volumetric individual (VI) indications shall be considered defects when
the maximum dimension of VI indications exceeds 1/4 “(6 mm) in both
width and
• Volumetric root (VR) indications interpreted to be open to the D. surface
shall be considered defects should any of the following conditions exist:

1. The maximum dimension of VR indications exceeds 1/4“(6mm).

2. The total length of VR indications exceeds 1/2 “(13 mm) in any

continuous 12” (300 mm)

• Any accumulation of relevant indications (AR) shall be considered a defect

when any of the following conditions exist.

1. The aggregate length of indications above the evaluation level

exceeds 2 “(50 mm) in any 12” (300mm) length of

2. The aggregate length of indications above the evaluation level

exceeds 8% of the weld.