ASTM E2491-13
Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems

Standard No.

ASTM E2491-13

Release Date

2013

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E2491-13(2018)

Latest

ASTM E2491-23

Scope

5.1 This guide is intended to evaluate performance assessment of combinations of phased-array probes and instruments. It is not intended to define performance and acceptance criteria, but rather to provide data from which such criteria may be established.

5.2 Recommended procedures described in this guide are intended to provide performance-related measurements that can be reproduced under the specified test conditions using simple targets and the phased-array test system itself. It is intended for phased-array flaw detection instruments operating in the nominal frequency range of 1 MHz to 20 MHz, but the procedures are applicable to measurements on instruments utilizing significantly higher frequency components.

5.3 This guide is not intended for service calibration, or maintenance of circuitry for which the manufacturer’s instructions are available.

5.4 Implementation of specific assessments may require more detailed procedural instructions in a format of the using facility.

5.5 The measurement data obtained may be employed by users of this guide to specify, describe, or provide a performance criteria for procurement and quality assurance, or service evaluation of the operating characteristics of phased-array systems.

5.6 Not all assessments described in this guide are applicable to all systems. All or portions of the guide may be used as determined by the user.

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

1.2 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 phased-array units are similar to non-phased-array units and may be measured as described in Guide E1065 or E1324.

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

1.4 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.

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

ASTM E2491-13 Referenced Document

• ASTM E1065 Standard Guide for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic Search Units
• ASTM E1316 Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
• ASTM E1324 Standard Guide for Measuring Some Electronic Characteristics of Ultrasonic Testing Instruments
• ASTM E317 Standard Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse- Echo Examination Instruments and Systems Without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
• ASTM E494 Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials

ASTM E2491-13 history

• 2023 ASTM E2491-23 Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
• 2018 ASTM E2491-13(2018) Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
• 2013 ASTM E2491-13 Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
• 2008 ASTM E2491-08 Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Instruments and Systems
• 2006 ASTM E2491-06 Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Examination Instruments and Systems