Designation: E 588 – 95
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
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Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
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A01.28 on Bearing Steels. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
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Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally Available from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, (ASNT),
published as E 588 – 76. Last previous edition E 588 – 88. 1711 Arlingate Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228.
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Boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
practice. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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E 588 – 95
and its applicable revision shall be specified in the contractual 8.2 Ultrasonic Instrument—The ultrasonic instrument shall
agreement between the using parties. be capable of generating and receiving electrical pulses of
4.1.3 Search Unit Performance Tests—Annex A1 defines 10-MHz frequency at levels compatible with the test require-
the minimum manufacturer’s specifications for search units to ments. It shall have both an A-scan presentation and an analog
be used with this practice. The extent of testing and verification output. It shall be the ultrasonic instrument manufacturer’s
of these parameters to be performed by the manufacturer shall responsibility that instruments supplied for use with this test
be specified in the contractual agreement between the using meet the minimum requirements delineated in this recom-
parties. mended practice.
8.2.1 Receiver Characteristics—The center frequency shall
5. Summary of Practice be 10 6 0.5 MHz. The bandpass of the receiver shall be at least
5.1 The general technique used is immersion ultrasonic 1.3 MHz (3 dB points).
testing by the reflection method using pulsed longitudinal 8.2.2 Dynamic Range—The dynamic range of the instru-
waves such as described in Practice E 214. Specific additional ment shall permit detection of steel balls with a 16-to-1
requirements for sample preparation, equipment operating diameter ratio at a given sensitivity. Balls shall be placed in
parameters and calibration, and expression of results are water at the focal point of the search unit. Each size ball within
delineated in this procedure. Special focused search units this range shall give a significantly different amplitude of
having operating characteristics as defined in Annex A1 are indication on both the visual oscilloscope presentation and the
required. analog output.
8.2.3 Stability—The analog output voltage of a usable
6. Significance and Use full-scale indication shall not vary more than 5 % after 1 h of
6.1 Comparison with Other Inclusion Rating Methods— instrument warm-up, and preferably by less than 2 % (4-h test
Because the test is performed on a volumetric rather than a with air temperature being held to 61.2°C over a temperature
surface-examination basis, the ultrasonic method is inherently range of 17.5 to 25.5°C).
better able to detect infrequently occurring large inclusions or 8.2.4 Sweep Length and Linearity—Sweep length of oscil-
clusters of small inclusions than eddy current, magnetic par- loscope presentation shall be capable of being adjusted to
ticle, microscopical, or macroscopic examination procedures. represent 1 mm = 1.27 mm of steel. A minimum of 80 mm of
6.2 Limitation of Inclusion Size and Type—A limitation of the sweep display shall be linear to within 5 % of full scale.
the method is that it will not detect all inclusions. Inclusion Analog output voltage of an indication from a target shall not
chemistry, size, shape, location, and distribution may limit the vary more than 64 % over the gated portion of the sweep
ability of the method to provide indications distinct from those employed in calibration and testing.
generated by the surrounding metallurgical structure. The 8.2.5 Repetition Rate—The repetition rate of the pulser
recommended practice is only meaningfully applicable to shall not be less than 500 pulses per second.
examination of steel wherein the inclusion size and type are 8.3 Search Units—Ultrasonic search units for this test shall
within the detection capabilities of the method. For steel be spherically focused immersion-type units. Uniform perfor-
wherein inclusion size, dispersion, and chemistry prevent mance characteristics of search units are critical for obtaining
optimum inclusion detection by ultrasonics, microscopical reproducible test measurements. (See Annex A1, which delin-
methods detailed in Practice E 45 may be applied. eates search unit performance characteristics to be met by
search unit manufacturers.) Performance characteristics of
7. Interference search units requiring consideration are: the uniformity of focal
7.1 Reflections from Multiple Inclusions—An ultrasonic distance in water, center frequency, frequency spectrum, lens
indication can represent the reflection from a single inclusion; radius, width of field, and beam symmetry.
however, it typically represents the vector summation of 8.3.1 Focal Length—A focused beam of radiated ultrasonic
reflections from clusters of small inclusions contained within a energy is recommended to provide lateral resolution of small
volume of a few cubic millimetres. defects and to improve testing sensitivity in the region near the
7.2 Response as a Function of Inclusion Type—The indi- focal point. The focal length of a search unit is defined in this
vidual inclusion reflections can have different amplitudes discussion as the distance in water, on the search unit axis,
because of different inclusion characteristics. In addition, the between the search unit and the surface of a 1⁄2 -in. or 12-mm
individual reflections may have different phase characteristics diameter ball target at which the highest reflection amplitude
when arriving at the search unit if the travel distances are indication is obtained. Different focal length transducers may
different. be used to obtain optimum response at selected distances below
the test sample surface. (Variation of search unit-to-specimen
8. Apparatus surface water path would also affect the focal point within the
8.1 Equipment Required—An equipment system with the test sample.)
following components is needed to conduct this test: ultrasonic 8.3.2 Search Unit Characteristics—Search units generally
test instrument, search unit, a means of recording signals of employed have the following frequency and focal length as
various amplitudes, a system reference block, instrument purchased:
calibration block, and an immersion tank with suitable scan- Frequency Focal Length in Water
ning accessories. 10 6 0.5 MHz 8.2 6 0.3 in (208.3 6 7.6 mm)
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E 588 – 95
A search unit shall be discarded as no longer fit for use when pulse counters, both repetition rate and scanning speed must be
its focal length has degenerated to 7.5 in. (190.5 mm). held within a 5 % tolerance and, preferably, 2 %.
8.3.3 Beam Symmetry—Each search unit should be rotated 8.6 System Reference Block—A system reference block of 4
on its ultrasonic beam axis (not necessarily geometric axis) by 4-in. (102 by 102-mm) cross section is required for initial
until a particular circumferential orientation is found which adjustments and operational testing of the equipment. This
gives a maximum severity, or count, from the system reference sample should be selected to provide reflection signals at all
block. This search unit orientation shall be identified and counting levels. Depth distribution of inclusions in the selected
employed in subsequent tests. Search units that exhibit varia- reference block should make its response characteristics rela-
tions in indication amplitude in excess of 15 % during rotation tively insensitive to minor focal length variations between
shall not be considered satisfactory for the test. There are other different search units. The reference block should give a
methods, such as optimum response over a precision and minimum change in total counts of 10 % for each 10 %
uniform taut wire, that have been found to be usable. increase or decrease in amplitude setting. A maximum of 30 %
8.3.4 Performance—The performance capabilities of all change in count for each 10 % change in amplitude setting
new search units shall be verified by an actual test on the should not be exceeded. It should be suitably protected from
system reference block. The data obtained for new search units corrosion to assure its longevity. Thermal conditioning and
should be compared with that obtained for other search units surface preparation should conform with the particular test
having the same specifications and tested under identical method. This block may also serve as a secondary reference
conditions. standard if flat-bottom holes are drilled in accordance with hole
specifications defined in Practice E 428. Holes drilled at
8.4 Immersion Tank and Accessories—An immersion tank
various depths beneath the entry surface permit distance
with associated scanning and indexing facilities shall be used.
amplitude correction when desired.
8.4.1 Search Unit Angulation—The tank shall be provided
with a manipulator capable of continuously angulating the 9. Test Specimens
search unit in two vertical mutually perpendicular planes
permitting the required normalization. 9.1 General—Test specimens are obtained from wrought
billets and may be either in the rolled or forged condition.
8.4.2 Scanning and Indexing—The tank bridge and carriage
Unless otherwise agreed upon, specimens shall be taken from
assemblies shall provide X-Y motion to the search unit. The
the first, middle, and last portion of the heat as agreed upon
scanning shall be parallel or perpendicular (depending on the
between the supplier and the purchaser.
procedure) to the test specimen axis and the indexing shall be
perpendicular to the scanning. 9.2 Specimen Size and Shape—Specimens shall have a
minimum cross-sectional dimension after preparation of 31⁄2 in.
8.4.3 Test Specimen Mounting—The tank shall be provided (88.9 mm). The area scanned shall be sufficient to permit
with fixturing permitting the mounting of the entry surface of testing of a minimum of 25 in.3(410 cm3) of the specimen. The
the test specimen parallel to the bridge travel so that the tested volume equals the scanned area multiplied by the gated
distance between search unit and specimen remains constant depth. This volume is necessarily smaller than the total
within 61⁄64 in. (0.4 mm). specimen volume. If special consideration is given, thinner
8.4.4 Couplant: samples may be tested. Samples thicker than 4 in. (101.6 mm)
8.4.4.1 The inspection solution shall consist of tap or after preparation also require special consideration.
distilled water to which a wetting agent has been added to 9.3 Entry Surface Finish—The test surface through which
disperse air bubbles. The pH of the water shall be maintained the sound enters the specimen shall be machine finished. This
within 71⁄2 to 81⁄2 . Rust preventives may also be added. All finish in any direction over the surface shall be preferably 15 to
chemical additives shall be held within concentrations that do 85 rms (or 0.34 µm to 1.94 µm aa). Final material removal may
not adversely affect test performance. Water temperature must require a dressed grinding wheel to avoid spurious, near-
be held between 19.5 and 25.5°C. It is important that excessive surface indications.
thermal gradients do not exist between the search unit and the 9.4 Heat Treatment—Thermal conditioning of the speci-
calibration standards. Billet inspection shall be made within mens generally is required to minimize acoustic anomalies.
1.7°C of the temperature at which calibration was accom- Typical treatment of medium- and low-alloy steel samples
plished. consists of normalizing at 89°C (nominal) above the Ac3
8.4.4.2 A means of circulating the immersion inspection transformation temperature for 1 to 2 h at heat. An additional
solution shall be employed, when necessary, to dissipate tempering of high-carbon steels to permit subsequent machin-
thermal gradients. ing is permissible. Certain steels may require special thermal
8.5 Readout Equipment—Various types of instrumentation treatment such as a double temper to obtain suitable acoustic
have been employed in conjunction with ultrasonic instruments properties.
for many years to determine the number of occurrences of 9.5 Ultrasonic Penetrability—The ultrasonic penetrability
various amplitude indications. These include level counters, shall be determined to be suitable for the inspection. The
pulse counters, integrators, strip chart recorders, B-scan re- penetrability is acceptable if the third back reflection of the
corders, C-scan recorders, memory oscilloscopes, and com- specimen is 25 % of the highest level indication, over the
puter techniques. Analog output voltage from the ultrasonic center of the billet specimen, at standard test conditions and
instrument gate supplies information to these devices. With test sensitivity.
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E 588 – 95
10. Procedure 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) to the prepared surface edge should be
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E 588 – 95
1.7 in. (43.2 mm) below the entry surface of the standard. (A instrument shall have been set to provide a 16:1 ball target echo
suitable 1⁄64 -in. standard with the prescribed metal path can be difference instead of the nominal 10:1 signal ratio. (Refer to the
made by cutting down a standard ASTM steel block.) instrument manual for additional details of this X0.1 potenti-
10.2.2.3 When the 10-mm hemispherically shaped hole ometer adjustment.) On instruments with decibel attenuation
standard is employed, means of attenuating the signal in the switching arrangements, switch “out” the decibel attenuator
ratio of reflections from two ball targets with a 16:1 diameter settings equivalent to the 16:1 ball target echo difference to
ratio shall be employed. Ball targets with diameters of 2 in. and increase the sensitivity of the specified amount.
1⁄8 in., 13⁄4 in. and 7⁄64 in., or 32 mm and 2 mm, may be used. 10.2.3.6 When a 1⁄64 -in. (0.40-mm) flat-bottom hole stan-
10.2.2.4 A system reference block specified in 8.6 shall be dard is employed, adjust the sensitivity to give an analog
employed to verify instrument calibration and to cross refer- output voltage for the calibration signal equal to the Level 3
ence equipment performance between a number of instru- voltage threshold.
ments. 10.2.4 Cross Referencing Between Equipment Users—If
10.2.3 Equipment Calibration Procedures: cross referencing of system reference blocks has been per-
10.2.3.1 Prior to performing any calibration or setting of formed with other users of the method (as delineated in Annex
sensitivity, perform impedance matching and set tuning and A3), a fine adjustment of sensitivity (not to exceed 610 % or
pulse length in accordance with the methods delineated in 1 dB or a 10 % change in ball ratio) may be performed to
10.1.3 and 10.1.4. discount variations in search unit response, counter hysteresis,
10.2.3.2 Equipment calibration is a two-step procedure that and other instrumentation variables.
requires counter level calibration followed by ultrasonic test 10.2.5 General Instructions and Procedures:
instrument sensitivity calibration. Adjust the analog gate circuit 10.2.5.1 Adjust the water path distance so that the search
to place the echo signals from calibration standards in the unit face is located 1 6 1⁄16 in. (25.4 6 1.6 mm) from the test
linear region of the gated display. specimen entry surface. This adjustment may be performed
10.2.3.3 Adjust the three-level counter using a set of with a rule, reference spacer, or by use of calibrated water path
instrument-quality stainless steel balls having a diameter ratio measurements on the test instrument display.
of 12:7:4. Position the search unit above the largest ball at a 10.2.5.2 Adjust a single electronic gate to evaluate indica-
distance for maximum signal amplitude corresponding to the tions that occur in the zone 0.7 to 0.9 in. (17.8 to 22.9 mm)
focal distance specified in 8.3.2. Adjust the test instrument from the entry surface to 0.3 to 0.5 in. (7.6 to 12.7 mm) from
sensitivity to give a signal at or near the maximum usable the bottom of the specimen. For particular applications, the
linear range of the instrument that gives both a stable and zone that is gated can be altered; however, this change must be
relatively linear oscilloscope display and analog voltage out- given separate consideration. Specimens that are suspected of
put. At this setting, record the analog output voltage and adjust having a nonuniform distribution of inclusions can be in-
the level-three counter to count. This procedure determines the spected from perpendicular or opposite sides and the inspection
Level 3 (high) amplitude counting threshold. Without changing results can be averaged.
the test instrument sensitivity setting, position the search unit at 10.2.5.3 Scan the specimen in a direction perpendicular to
its focal distance over the medium- and small-size balls. Adjust the rolling direction with a scan index of 0.050 in. (1.27 mm).
counter thresholds similar to the procedure for Level 3 and Base volume of test on 20 scans per inch of sample length. The
record analog voltages for the Level 2 (medium) and Level 1 scanned area shall be bound by a perimeter that is not within
(low) amplitude counting thresholds. 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) of the prepared surface edge. If the sides of
10.2.3.4 Adjust instrument sensitivity (gain) to set gated the specimen are rough, a greater distance from the edge may
analog output voltage from the instrument calibration block be required to avoid spurious signals.
(artificial discontinuity at focal point) equal to Level 3 counter 10.2.6 System Reference Block Equipment Performance
threshold voltage, determined in accordance with 10.2.3.3. Test—Periodically check overall performance of equipment by
10.2.3.5 When a 10-mm round-bottom hole standard is conducting a test on the system reference block. The deviation
employed, set the instrument sensitivity control to provide an permitted shall not exceed the variation in counts obtained for
analog output voltage at the threshold voltage of the Level 3 a 67.5 % sensitivity variation in analog voltage output from
counter (determined in accordance with 10.2.3.3). Then, in- the Level 3 voltage threshold.
crease the sensitivity by an amount equal to the difference in 10.2.7 Test Result Computation:
echo signal amplitudes from two ball targets with a 16:1 10.2.7.1 Test result computation shall consist of separately
diameter ratio. Determine this signal difference by placing the counting the number of high-, medium-, and low-level indica-
search unit over the smaller ball target with water path equal to tions; multiplying the number of indications in each level by a
the focal distance. Then, place the search unit over the larger suitable weight factor; totaling the weighted result; and divid-
ball target at the same focal distance. Attenuation needed to ing by the volume tested. This provides a rating of the
reduce the signal amplitude to again give the same Level 3 cleanliness, defined as weighted counts per cubic inch.
analog output voltage is the increase in sensitivity needed to A~N1! 1 B~Nm! 1 C~Nh!
S5 (1)
calibrate the test instrument for billet inspection. On instru- V
ments equipped with X0.1, X1.0, and X10.0 sensitivity range,
switch the sensitivity difference by switching from X0.1 to where:
X1.0 range. The internal range scaling adjustment of the S = severity rating,
5
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E 588 – 95
7
Supporting Data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:
E04 – 1001.
ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
6
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E 588 – 95
A1.2.1.5 A linear oscilloscope presentation should be used. A1.4.3 Amplitude Range—Amplitude of all indications
A1.2.1.6 The main peak radiation frequency as revealed by shall be within linear range of the instrument.
this analysis must be within 60.5 MHz of the specified A1.4.3.1 Ten-megahertz Search Units:
frequency. No secondary peaks should be within 5 dB of the (a) (a) At 1.3 times the focal length, the amplitude range of
peak radiation frequency. the indication shall be 57 % to 83 % of the amplitude at focal
A1.2.1.7 The maximum band width as revealed by this distance.
analysis must be 4 6 0.5 MHz measured between points one (b) (b) At 0.8 times the focal length, the amplitude range of
half the amplitude of the peak radiation. the indication shall be 67 % to 93 % of the amplitude at focal
distance.
A1.3 Beam Symmetry Characteristics
A1.3.1 The symmetry of the beam of a search unit affects A1.5 Minimum Sensitivity of Response
test sensitivity. Ideally, a search unit will radiate a beam whose A1.5.1 The search units shall have a minimum sensitivity of
cross section is essentially circular. If a search unit radiation response as determined by the following method:
beam has an elliptical or other asymmetrical shape, the unit’s A1.5.1.1 The excitation pulses shall be in accordance with
sensitivity, particularly on elongated targets, can vary consid- A1.2.1.1 such that their maximum duration at the half-
erably with search unit orientation. The symmetry of the amplitude points is 50 ns for 10-MHz search units.
radiated beam of search units used in this test shall be A1.5.1.2 Measure the received reflected signal amplitude
evaluated by both of the following methods: after 40 dB of r-f amplification. The amplitude shall be at least
A1.3.1.1 Method I—Near-Field Beam Symmetry: 3.5 V.
(a) (a) Pulse generation shall be the same as in A1.2.1.1
(b) (b) An amplitude versus position recording shall be A1.6 Search Unit Element
taken at the y − 1 point (first null on principal axis closest to A1.6.1 A 3⁄4 -in. (19.1-mm) lithium sulfate search unit active
focal point in near-field) in water along four planes 45° apart. element is recommended because it provides sufficient area and
A 1⁄2 -in. or 10-mm diameter ball target shall be used. sensitivity for conducting this test. A disadvantage of lithium
(c) (c) A photographic image of the oscilloscope presenta- sulfate elements is that as a monohydrate piezoelectric crystal,
tion (9) or chart recording of the signals shall be used to any minute quantity of water entering the element will destroy
produce a recording of the beam profile. it. Extreme precautions in manufacture to provide perfect
(d) (d) A symmetry factor shall be calculated by measuring sealing and careful drying after use in testing must be exercised
the relative difference of the recorded lobes. A symmetry factor to prevent its destruction from absorption of water. Other
of no greater than 18 is suggested as calculated by adding the elements with equivalent acoustical characteristics may be
amplitude difference units between lobes for each of the four used for this test.
profiles (10).
A1.3.1.2 Method II—Far-Field Beam Symmetry: A1.7 Damping Characteristics
(a) (a) The instrument employed shall be of the same type A1.7.1 Acoustic damping shall be incorporated in the trans-
as used for testing billet sections. The far-field beam symmetry ducer to improve its ability to discern closely spaced discon-
shall be measured by observing the radiated field dimensions tinuities of nearly the same depth.
from the search unit while directed toward a target in water. A1.7.2 Laboratory measurements of damping shall be made
(b) (b) A 1⁄2 -in. or 10-mm diameter ball target shall be by observation of the rate of decay of the pulse envelope of a
placed at 1.2 times the focal length. search unit observed on an oscilloscope. An interpretation
(c) (c) The width to the one-half amplitude point of the called Damping Factor (D) shall be made by counting the
radiated field shall be measured in four planes 45° apart. number of cycles in the pulse envelope greater than one half
(d) (d) The ratio of the shortest width of field to the longest the initial pulse amplitude. The damping factor (D) should be
width of field suggested limit shall be equal to or greater than less than five units.
0.85. A1.7.3 This search unit characteristic affects the sensitivity
of a search unit. The condition of the bond between the active
A1.4 Distance Amplitude Characteristics element and the damping element may be estimated from an
A1.4.1 The distance amplitude curve of the search unit shall increase in the damping factor. Bond imperfections cause the
be determined by observing the amplitudes of reflections, radiation beam to be asymmetrical and increase the damping
measured with an instrument of the type employed for testing factor and search unit operating frequency.
billet sections, from a 1⁄2 -in. or 10-mm diameter ball target in
water. A1.8 Search Unit Performance Test
A1.4.2 The tolerances of the distance amplitude measure- A1.8.1 Search unit performance may be verified by the
ments shall be specified at search unit-to-target distances of the manufacturer through an actual test of a steel sample using at
following: least one count level (lowest level), and preferably three levels
A1.4.2.1 The focal length of the search unit. (see 4.1.3). The results of this test should be within 615 % of
A1.4.2.2 1.3 times the focal length. the median number of counts of all search units produced for
A1.4.2.3 0.8 times the focal length. use with this practice.
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E 588 – 95
A2.1 Ten-millimetre hemispherically shaped hole test A2.1.7 Braze the 10-mm ball on a rod and insert the rod in
blocks shall be fabricated as shown in Fig. A2.1 in accordance a drill press or milling machine.
with the following description: A2.1.8 Lap the bottom of the hole until no visible imper-
A2.1.1 Employ CEVM 8620, 4330, or 4340 steel. fections are discernible with a 33 magnifier. The axis of the
A2.1.2 Normalize steel 90°C above the Ac3 point, holding hemispherical hole and of the rotating rod shall always be kept
the steel at temperature for a minimum of 4 h, and furnace cool. inclined since the bottom of the ball along the rod’s axis will
A2.1.3 Rough out blocks to permit compliance with finish have a zero velocity.
dimensions shown in Fig. A2.1. Surface X shall be ground. A2.1.9 Grind the block so the A dimension is 1.70 6 0.005
A2.1.4 Mill a flat-bottom plug recess (approximately 7⁄8 in. in. (43.2 6 0.13 mm). The surface finish of surface X shall be
(22 mm) in diameter and 0.150 in. (3.81 mm) deep).
15 to 25 rms (0.34 to 0.57 µm aa).
A2.1.5 Mill a 0.4-in. (10.2-mm) diameter hemispherical
hole 0.1 in. (3 mm) deep in center of recess. A2.1.10 Plate the block with nickel or chrome (approxi-
A2.1.6 Test the bottom of the hole for Brinell hardness mately 0.001 in. (0.03 mm) thick).
using a standard Brinell machine (10-mm ball and 3000-kg A2.1.11 Cement the flat plug in the flat-bottom recess.
load).
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E 588 – 95
Dimensions
A = 1.706 0.005 in. (43.2 6 0.13 mm)
B = 0.8756 0.125 in. (22.22 6 3.18 mm)
C = 1.5 in. (38 mm) minimum
D = 1.5 in. (38 mm) minimum
E = 0.156 0.050 in. (3.8 6 1.27 mm)
FIG. A2.1 Fabrication of a 10-mm Hemispherically Shaped Hole Test Block
A3.1 Assurance of Proper Equipment Performance reference blocks at standard sensitivity. The reference blocks
A3.1.1 Assurance of proper equipment performance can are then rerun using selected higher and lower gain settings (as
only be obtained by periodically conducting tests of a system measured by analog voltage). In order to prevent instrumenta-
reference block. Unfortunately, response sensitivity (percent tion inaccuracies, such as linearity differences, from influenc-
change in counts) for different test specimens or blocks is not ing the test, the slightly higher and lower analog voltage
a constant for all instrumentation variables. settings can be delineated to be the difference of energy
reflections between different size balls. This is feasible since
A3.2 Factors Affecting Counts from a Specimen amplitude of indications from balls varies directly with ball
A3.2.1 The distribution, type, shape, and location of inclu- diameter.
sions in a test billet specimen can cause the response in counts A3.3.2 Test runs of reference blocks at high, low, and
to be either sensitive or insensitive to minor differences in standard sensitivity provide correlated data enabling the per-
instrumentation, search units, or setup. Consequently, a simple missible deviation in counts of each system reference block to
specification for limits on a system reference block, such as
be specified.
permitting a set percentage deviation in counts from an
established median, is not practical. The response sensitivity of A3.3.3 Fig. A3.1 illustrates counts obtained on two refer-
the particular reference test block as a function of instrumen- ence blocks for three different search units. Cross referencing
tation gain, etc., must be accounted for. of test blocks in this manner enables one to make minor
adjustments in sensitivity to discount variations in search units
A3.3 Method of Cross Referencing Different Reference and instrumentation so as to obtain the desired counts on each
Blocks system reference block relative to other users of the method.
A3.3.1 Cross referencing of test blocks may be accom-
plished by first making a test run on two or more system
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E 588 – 95
REFERENCES
(1) Bayre, W. W., and Erickson, J. A.,“ Ultrasonic Rating of Steel Billet Bearing Steel Billets,” Blast Furnace and Steel Plant, Vol 57, 1969.
Sections,” ASTM Proceedings, June 1965. (6) Bayre, W. W., and McCormack, D. D., “Ultrasonic Detection of
(2) Carter, C. J., et al, Final Report AMRA CR 67-10F “An Automatic Inclusions in Steel,” Materials Evaluation, February 1970.
Computerized Ultrasonic Cleanliness Rating System and Calibration (7) Morgan, J. B., “Ultrasonics as a Means of Rating Steel Cleanliness,”
Standards,” AD 825 056, May 1967. Materials Evaluation, June 1970.
(3) Hauser, J. J., and Wells, G. H., “Inclusions in High Strength Steels, (8) Burr, W. H., “Ultrasonic Rating of Bearing Steel Cleanliness,” ASTM
Their Dependence on Processing Variables and Their Effect on Symposium, Bearing Steels: The Rating of Nonmetallic Inclusions,
Engineering Properties,” Technical Report AFML TR 68 222, August Committee Week May 22-24, 1974, published June 1975.
1968. (9) McElroy, J. T., Identification and Measurement of Ultrasonic Search
(4) Carter, C. J., et al, Final Report AMMRC CR 69-11 “Ultrasonic Test Unit Characteristics, Automation Industries, Inc., Boulder, CO, 1966,
Procedure for Rating Internal Cleanliness of Semi-Finished Material,” p. 4.
AD 670 939, June 1969. (10) McElroy, J. T., Report to E-4 Subcommittee IX, compiled data for 22
(5) Cressman, R. N., and Plante, A. J., “Ultrasonic Inclusion Rating of search units, Jan. 9, 1968.
10
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E 588 – 95
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
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