NDT TECHNICIAN
TNT Focus:
Using the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code: An International Code is a
comprehensive
document that
covers the design,
fabrication,
inspection and
safety of pressure
vessels in
applications
ranging from hot
water boilers to
nuclear power
plants. The ASME
Code is accredited
by the American
National Standards
Institute (ANSI)
Journal advertisement from 1905 showing riveted
and is enacted as
Lancashire boiler.
law in whole or in
part by forty-nine states, numerous
municipalities and territories of the US
and all provinces of Canada.
TNT Tip:
Positioning a Radiation
Source Accurately
Properly locating a radiation source (X-ray
or gamma) in a circumferential or girth
weld application can be difficult, especially
so when dealing with small diameter/heavy
wall welds or with extremely large diameter
pipe. When emanating radiation is not
placed diametrically opposite the area of
interest (AOI), the final radiograph may
have inconsistent densities. Use this method
to accurately position a source.
This example uses a 12 in. (300 mm)
diameter pipe weld with a circumference of
approximately 40 in. (1,000 mm). Start by
calculating the circumference (outer
diameter pi or simply wrap a number belt
around the item). Then divide the
circumference in half. In this example, that
would be 20 in. (500 mm). Make a note of
this number as our constant, all future
source locations will depend on it.
Center
of view
40 in.
1,000 mm
32 in.
800 mm
Film
cassette
8 in.
200 mm
4 in.
100 mm
Diametrically
opposite
point
24 in.
600 mm
16 in.
400 mm
Tech Toon
THE
NDT TECHNICIAN
Volume 1, Number 4
October 2002
FOUN
DED
1941
Sections Referenced
III
II, V, IX, XI
IV
I, II, VI, IX
B1.20.1
B16 Series (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 20, 24, 25, 28, 34, 42)
B36.10
B31.1
PTC-25
B1.1
B16 Series (5, 9, 11, 20, 21, 25, 28, 34)
B18 (2.1, 2.2, 3)
B36 (10, 19)
N626, N626.3
NQA-1
PTC 25
B16.1
B16.5
B36.10
V
VI
VII
VIII (Div. 1,2, and 3)
X
IV
I
II, V, IX
XI
II, III,V, IX
B1.1
B1.20.1
B16 Series (1, 5, 9, 11, 15, 20, 24, 28, 42, 47)
B18.2.2
B36.10
PTC25
N626
NQA-1
OM
Avoiding Errors
Careful attention to detail in interpreting
the Code can avoid costly errors. The following
are examples of typical problem situations.
Good radiographic images may be
rendered unacceptable because the wrong
IQI or penetrameter was used or the
density variation between the IQI and area
of interest exceeded the allowable range.
TABLE 2. Partial listing of Paragraphs from Section VIII, Division 1, Subsections A, B and C with NDT requirement covered and
applicable NDT method.
Paragraph
UCD-78
UCI-78
UCL-35
UCL-36
UCS-57
UF-31
UF-32
UF-37
UF-55
UG-24
UG-93
UG-99
UHA-33
UHA-34
UHT-57
UHT-83
UHT-85
ULT-57
ULW-51
ULW-52
ULW-53
ULW-54
ULW-55
ULW-56
ULW-57
UNF-57
UNF-58
UW-11
UW-12
UW-13
UW-19
UW-42
UW-50
UW-51
UW-52
UW-53
NDT Requirement
Repair of defects in cast ductile iron pressure vessels or vessel parts
Repair of defects in cast iron pressure vessels and vessel parts
Vessel or parts of vessels constructed of clad plate and those having applied corrosion resistant linings
Chromium stainless steel cladding or lining
Examinations in addition to UW-11 for butt-welded joints on carbon and low alloy steel pressure vessels
and vessel parts
Vessel fabrication from SA-372 forging material to be liquid quenched and tempered
Finished welds after post weld heat treat
Repair welds on forgings
Vessels constructed of SA-372 Class VIII material
General requirements for castings
General requirements for the testing of all materials
Visual testing of the pressure vessel pressure test
Exceptions for radiographic testing of high alloy steel vessels
Austenitic chromium-nickel alloy steel butt and fillet welds
Pressure vessel or vessel parts constructed of ferritic steels having tensile properties enhanced by
heat-treating
Metal removal accomplished by methods involving melting on pressure vessels and vessel parts
constructed of ferritic steels having tensile properties enhanced by heat-treatment
Removal of temporary welds on pressure vessels and vessel parts constructed of ferritic steels having
tensile properties enhanced by heat-treatment
Welds in pressure vessels and parts constructed of materials having increased design stress values due to
low temperature applications
Inner shells and inner heads of layered pressure vessels
Welded joints in the layers of layered pressure vessels
Step welded girth joints in the layers of layered pressure vessels
Butt weld joints in layered pressure vessels
Flat head and tube-sheet welded joints in layered pressure vessels
Nozzle and communicating chamber welded joints in layered pressure vessels
Random spot-weld examination and repairs of welds in layered pressure vessels
Examinations in addition to UW-11 for pressure vessels and vessel parts constructed of nonferrous materials
All groove and fillet welds in vessels constructed of nonferrous material
RT and UT requirements for pressure vessels and vessel parts
RT requirements based on weld type and weld joint efficiency (see table UW-12)
Concave head to shell longitudinal joints
Welded stayed construction
Surface weld metal build-up
Welds on pneumatically tested vessels
100% RT requirements and acceptance criteria
Spot RT requirements and acceptance criteria
Ultrasonic testing technique
PT
MT UT RT VT
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Volume 1, Number 4
Preparation
I. Collect study materials early from:
A. the official list,
B. materials suggested by associates and
C. a couple of background texts.
II. Read the necessary material and take a breather before:
A. outlining the material,
B. reviewing the difficult parts until they are familiar so that you can
C. reproduce everything you need to know without rereading.
III. Obtain example problems from:
A. ASNT,
B. your company,
C. associates and
D. reading materials.
IV. Practice with example problems.
A. Start with easy ones work up to harder ones.
B. Read everything dont jump to conclusions.
C. Work in bite-sized pieces.
D. Use a worksheet for problems.
E. Write down every step neatly (saves time checking).
F. Diagram.
G. Rework after a few days.
TNT Inbox:
Q: I have been told that it is possible to enlarge images of components by
moving them closer to the X-ray source and away from the detector. Wont this
produce excessive unsharpness?
A: Using a source with an extremely small target will allow magnification of the
component. Typical X-ray tubes have targets in the 1-3 mm range. Targets on
specialized tubes are measured in microns, providing a near point source of
radiation that allows the component to be some distance from a detector while
maintaining acceptable unsharpness.
Q: Your article on Ultraviolet Safety (Vol. 1, No. 1) states If an inspector's
hands are subject to 5000 W/cm2, then the recommended daily ultraviolet-A
exposure can be exceeded in 200s.What is the source of this information?
What about exposure at less than 5000 W/cm2? What are the symptoms of
such exposure? What about using sunscreen?
A: The statements are based upon the threshold limit values (TLVs) for UV-A
recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) for chemical substances and physical agents. For UV-A
radiation,ACGIH recommends that the total irradiance incident upon the
unprotected skin or eye should not exceed 1.0 mW/cm2 (1,000 W/cm2) for
periods greater than 103 seconds (approximately 16 minutes).
For exposures less than 5,000 W/cm2, a linear interpolation is sufficient. To
demonstrate, the time limit for 5000 W/cm2 is (1000/5000) x 103 seconds =
200 seconds.
Symptoms range from sunburn to suntan. Note that the limits are for people
with average skin sensitivity and do not apply to photosensitive individuals.
Sunscreen is very effective.When using sunscreen, all exposed skin should be
treated including the face, neck, etc.Also wear long sleeved shirts and gloves,
where necessary.
E-mail, fax or phone questions for the TNT Inbox to:
Editor, tnt@asnt.org, (614) 274-6899 fax, (800) 222-2768 X206