ASTM International

Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
 N E2491

Annotation

This guide describes procedures for evaluating some performance characteristics of phased-array ultrasonic examination instruments and systems.

Evaluation of these characteristics is intended to be used for comparing instruments and systems or, by periodic repetition, for detecting long-term changes in the characteristics of a given instrument or system that may be indicative of impending failure, and which, if beyond certain limits, will require corrective maintenance. Instrument characteristics measured in accordance with this guide are expressed in terms that relate to their potential usefulness for ultrasonic examinations. Other electronic instrument characteristics in phasedarray units are similar to non-phased-array units and may be measured as described in Guide E1065 or E1324.

Ultrasonic examination systems using pulsed-wave trains and A-scan presentation (rf or video) may be evaluated.

This guide establishes no performance limits for examination systems; if such acceptance criteria are required, these must be specified by the using parties. Where acceptance criteria are implied herein they are for example only and are subject to more or less restrictive limits imposed by customer's and end user's controlling documents.

The specific parameters to be evaluated, conditions and frequency of test, and report data required, must also be determined by the user.

This guide may be used for the evaluation of a complete examination system, including search unit, instrument, interconnections, scanner fixtures and connected alarm and auxiliary devices, primarily in cases where such a system is used repetitively without change or substitution. This guide is not intended to be used as a substitute for calibration or standardization of an instrument or system to inspect any given material.