Ultrasonic Reference Standards

ASTM E1158 Distance Amplitude Blocks

This specification governs the material selection and fabrication of reference
blocks for the pulsed longitudinal wave contact or immersion ultrasonic
examination of metal and metal alloy production round bar stock between
1” and 10” in diameter. It is recommended that the blocks be fabricated from
material representative of the production material to be examined. The Figure
1 block contains a number of holes of the same diameter at various distances
from the scan surface. Typical hole diameter is 5/64” or larger. Figure 3 block for
square or rectangular bar over 1” is also available.

ASTM E1158 Area Amplitude Blocks

This specification governs the material selection and fabrication of reference
blocks for the pulsed longitudinal wave contact or immersion ultrasonic
examination of metal and metal alloy production round bar stock between
1” and 10” in diameter. It is recommended that the blocks be fabricated from
material representative of the production material to be examined. The Figure 2
block contains holes of different diameters at the same distance from the scan
surface. Typical hole diameters range from 2/64” and 8/64” or larger. Figure 4
block for square or rectangular bar over 1” is also available.

ASTM E2375 UT Reference Blocks

The following UT Reference Blocks from ASTM E2375 are available:
• Convex Surface Reference Standard Configuration for Longitudinal Wave
Inspection
• Standard Ultrasonic Test Block for Angle Beam Examination
• Hollow Cylindrical Standards
• Side-drilled Hole Reference Blocks

This spec is equivalent to AMS-STD-2154 and the older MIL-STD-2154. Similar

blocks are also found in Boeing BSS 7055.

ASME Sec. III NB-2552.3 Standards

Used for ultrasonic examination of pipe and tubing in both circumferential and
axial directions. The reference specimen shall be of the same nominal diameter,
wall thickness, nominal composition and heat treated condition as the product
being examined. Contains four (4) notches of square, U or V shape at a depth not
greater than the larger of 0.004” or 5% of nominal wall by 1” long max. Defects
are located so that indications are separate and distinct. In accordance with
ASME Section III, Division 1, NB-2552.3. Sample sketch at left shows a 1-1/2”
NPS Schedule 160 pipe section with four EDM notches.

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PDI Contoured Calibration Blocks for

Dissimilar Metal (DM) Welds
Contoured calibration blocks are used in the manual examination of dissimilar
metal (DM) welds and base materials including piping susceptible to Stress
Corrosion Cracking (SCC).The blocks are used to establish a reference sensitivity
level from which subsequent exams may be compared. The blocks are precisely
machined to fit contoured search units for axial and circumferential scanning
directions. Customer specifies block contour radius based on diameter of
material being inspected. Blocks are manufactured in Type 304 or Type 316
Stainless Steel and are certified to meet Performance Demonstration Initiative
PDI-UT-10 and PDI-UT-8.

2-Notch Pipe Standard

Typical standard for circumferential scanning containing two (2) notches, one
(1) OD longitudinal and one (1) ID longitudinal. The material shall be of the same
diameter, wall thickness, material spec, and heat treatment as the material being
inspected. Can be customer-supplied or PH Tool-supplied. Typical length required
is 9 to 12” for contact testing, and 36 to 48” for immersion testing. Notch location
can be customer-specified. Standards can be made 360° (full diameter), however,
arc lengths of 90° to 180° are common for larger diameters. This design is
typical of many UT specifications including: ASTM E-213, ASME Sections III and V,
GE P3C-AL-0300, MIL-T-16420K, ASME SA-655, MIL-STD-271F, MIL-STD-2132,
among others.

4-Notch Pipe Standard

Typical standard for circumferential and longitudinal scanning containing
four (4) notches, one (1) OD longitudinal, one (1) ID longitudinal, one (1) OD
circumferential, and one (1) ID circumferential. The material shall be of the same
diameter, wall thickness, material spec, and heat treatment as the material being
inspected. Can be customer-supplied or PH Tool-supplied. Typical length required
is 9 to 12” for contact testing, and 36 to 48” for immersion testing. Notch location
can be customer-specified. Standards can be made 360° (full diameter), however,
arc lengths of 90° to 180° are common for larger diameters. This design is
typical of many UT specifications including: ASTM E-213, ASME Sections III, V
and XI, MIL-T-16420K, ASME SA-655, MIL-STD-271F, among others.

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 Ultrasonic Reference Standards

ASME Sec. V Art. 5 Straight Beam Calibration Blocks for Bolting

These calibration blocks are manufactured in accordance with Figure T-534.3
and contain FBHs drilled in the axial direction of the block. Block material and
examination surface finish shall be the same or equivalent to the bolting under
examination. Block designations A, B, and C are available. Contains one (1) FBH
from 1/16” to 3/8” diameter depending on examination material diameter.
In accordance with ASME Section V, Article 5, Figure T-534.3, Straight Beam
Calibration Blocks for Bolting.

ASME Sec. V Art. 23 Ultrasonic Standards

All calibration and reference standards identified in Article 23 are available.
Specifications include SA-388, SA-435/SA-435M, SA-577/SA-577M, SA-578/
SA-578M, SA-609, SA-745, SB-548, SE-317, SE-797, SE-2491, SE-2700, SE-
213, SE-214, and SE-273.
Inset shows SE-213, Figure 2 Common Notch Shapes, including V-Notch,
Buttress (square), and U-Shaped.

2-Notch Pipe Standard (Tube)

Typical standard for circumferential scanning containing two (2) notches,
one (1) OD longitudinal and one (1) ID longitudinal. Typical length
required is 48”. Notch depth, width, and length vary by specification.
Notch location can be customer-specified. ID notch location can be 12”
from end on IDs over approximately 0.180”. Reduces to 6” from end on
0.080” ID. This design is common to many UT specifications including
MIL-T-16420K and MIL-T-23226.

4-Notch Pipe Standard (Tube)

Typical standard for circumferential and longitudinal scanning containing
four (4) notches, one (1) OD longitudinal, one (1) ID longitudinal, one (1)
OD circumferential, and one (1) ID circumferential. Typical length required
is 48”. Notch depth, width, and length vary by specification. Notch
location can be customer-specified.
ID notch location can be 12” from end on IDs over approximately 0.180”.
Reduces to 6” from end on 0.080” ID. This design is common to many UT
specifications including Pratt & Whitney’s PWA SIM 4E SIS 26B.

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 Ultrasonic Reference Standards
Unique Tube Standards for UT
PH Tool is the go-to source for application-specific UT standards for
critical tubing producers around the globe. Custom variations are
available containing EDM notches, FBHs (OD and ID,) wall thinning,
simulated ID pitting, and other unusual discontinuities. Our shop is
equipped to handle variations such as extra-long lengths, very small IDs,
and exotic alloys such as tantalum and iridium.
Send us your sketch of any unique standard and we’ll provide a quick
quote.

V-Notch and FBH Bar Standard

Popular standard for round bar inspection containing one (1)
circumferentially oriented V-Notch (normally 60° included angle),
and one (1) FBH. Notch depth and length, and FBH depth and
4 diameter vary by specification. V-Notches are uniformly deep
relative to the diameter. V-Notch angles other than 60° are
available.

3-FBH Bar Standard

Popular standard for round bar inspection containing three (3)
FBHs of the same diameter at different depths. FBH depths on
this standard are 1/4D (25% of diameter), 1/2D, and 3/4D.
FBH diameters are normally from 1/64” through 5/64”, with
3/64” being most common. More complex standards containing
additional holes and/or notches are available.

2-Piece Round Bar Standard

Standard consists of two sections of round bar joined either by
welding or drilling/tapping/bolting, depending on diameter. The
parting and subsequent joining allows for the machining of axially-
oriented side-drilled holes (SDHs) at prescribed metal travel
distances from the diameter of the bar. Normally two (2) or four
(4) SDHs are used. SDH diameter is typically 1.0 mm (0.0394”) or
3/64” (0.047”). Standard also contains three (3) FBHs (radially-
oriented) at 1/4D, 1/2D, and 3/4D. FBH diameters are normally
from 1/64” through 5/64”, with 3/64” being most common. An
axial EDM notch is often included in this design.

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 Ultrasonic Reference Standards
PWA SIS-315A; SIM-1 Standard
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft standard for round bar/rod inspection.
Variation depicted at left shows standard containing one (1) 3/64”
diameter FBH at 50% depth; one (1) 3/64” dia. at 10%; one 1/32”
dia. at 10%; and one (1) axial EDM notch at 3% deep by 1/4” long.

Projectile Body UT Standards

Typical projectile body and/or base standard will include OD and
ID notches oriented both longitudinally and circumferentially.
Notches can be uniformly deep across length, or thumbnail profile.
Notch depth, width, length, and location are normally customer
specified. Standards often contain FBHs also.

API RP 2X Reference Standard

American Petroleum Institute Reference Standard for Level “C”
Examination for Recommended Practice 2X (RP 2X), Ultrasonic
Examination of Offshore Structural Fabrication and Guidelines
for Qualification of Ultrasonic Technicians. Set of four (4) blocks
required. One block containing a square (buttress) notch and
one each with V-notches for 45°, 60°, and 70° orientations
for establishing scanning sensitivity for root reflectors. Note:
Simulated references for rejectable flaws established by the
Operator’s UT specialist should be added to this block for the
calibration of internal reflectors, i.e. 3/32” diameter side-drilled
hole. In accordance with API RP 2X, Figure D-8.

ASTM A609 Straight Beam and Angle Beam Blocks for

Inspection of Castings
ASTM A609 Blocks are used for ultrasonic inspection of cast materials. The
standard set of FBH blocks from Figure 1 includes five blocks of various metal
travel distances, each with a 1/4” (0.250”) diameter FBH drilled into one end. We
also offer the Dual-Search Unit Block from Figure 2, and the Basic Calibration
Blocks for angle beam testing from Figure 3. A609 blocks are made from cast
materials to ensure acoustic similarity with the component under test. PH Tool
maintains a large stock of cast carbon steel so we can make blocks sets quickly
without waiting for a foundry to pour the steel.

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