ASTM International

Standard Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse- Echo Testing Instruments and Systems without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
 N E317

Annotation

This practice describes procedures for evaluating the following performance characteristics of ultrasonic pulse-echo examination instruments and systems: Horizontal Limit and Linearity; Vertical Limit and Linearity; Resolution - Entry Surface and Far Surface; Sensitivity and Noise; Accuracy of Calibrated Gain Controls. 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 practice are expressed in terms that relate to their potential usefulness for ultrasonic testing. Instrument characteristics expressed in purely electronic terms may be measured as described in E1324.

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

The procedures are applicable to shop or field conditions; additional electronic measurement instrumentation is not required.

This practice 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.