MSS SP-53-2012

Quality Standard for

Steel Castings and Forgings
for Valves, Flanges, Fittings,
and Other Piping Components
Magnetic Particle
Examination Method

Standard Practice
Developed and Approved by the
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
127 Park Street, NE
Vienna, Virginia 22180-4602
Phone: (703) 281-6613
Fax: (703) 281-6671
E-mail: standards@mss-hq.org

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MSS

STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

This MSS Standard Practice was developed under the consensus of the MSS Technical Committee 304 and the
MSS Coordinating Committee. The content of this Standard Practice is the resulting efforts of competent and
experienced volunteers to provide an effective, clear, and non-exclusive standard that will benefit the industry as
a whole. This MSS Standard Practice describes minimal requirements and is intended as a basis for common
practice by the manufacturer, the user, and the general public. The existence of an MSS Standard Practice does
not in itself preclude the manufacture, sale, or use of products not conforming to the Standard Practice.
Mandatory conformance to this Standard Practice is established only by reference in other documents such as a
code, specification, sales contract, or public law, as applicable. MSS has no power, nor does it undertake to
enforce or certify compliance with this document. Any certification or other statement of compliance with the
requirements of this Standard Practice shall not be attributable to MSS and is solely the responsibility of the
certifier or maker of the statement.
Unless indicated otherwise within this MSS Standard Practice, other standards documents
referenced to herein are identified by the date of issue that was applicable to this Standard
Practice at the date of approval of this MSS Standard Practice (see Annex A). This Standard
Practice shall remain silent on the validity of those other standards of prior or subsequent
dates of issue even though applicable provisions may not have changed.
By publication of this Standard Practice, no position is taken with respect to the validity of any potential claim(s)
or of any patent rights in connection therewith. MSS shall not be held responsible for identifying any patent
rights. Users are expressly advised that determination of patent rights and the risk of infringement of such rights
are entirely their responsibility.
In this Standard Practice, all text, notes, annexes, tables, figures, and references are construed to be essential to
the understanding of the message of the standard, and are considered normative unless indicated as
supplemental. All appendices, if included, that appear in this document are construed as supplemental. Note
that supplemental information does not include mandatory requirements.
U.S. customary units in this Standard Practice are the standard; the SI (metric) units are for reference only.
Substantive changes in this 2012 edition are flagged by parallel bars as shown on the margins of
this paragraph. The specific detail of the change may be determined by comparing the material
flagged with that in the previous edition.
Non-toleranced dimensions in this Standard Practice are nominal unless otherwise specified.

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Excerpts of this Standard Practice may be quoted with permission. Credit lines should read Extracted
from MSS SP-53-2012 with permission of the publisher, Manufacturers Standardization Society of the
Valve and Fittings Industry. Reproduction and/or electronic transmission or dissemination is prohibited
under copyright convention unless written permission is granted by the Manufacturers Standardization
Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry Inc. All rights reserved.
MSS is a registered trademark of Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
Originally Approved: January 1957
Originally Published: 1958 Edition
Current Version Approved: October 2012
Current Version Published: December 2012
Copyright , 2012 by
Manufacturers Standardization Society
of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.

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MSS

STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

FOREWORD

In the mid-1950s, there was an increasing demand on the part of certain users of steel valves, fittings, and
flanges, particularly in the oil refining industry, to establish minimum requirements for freedom from
discontinuities of the type revealed by magnetic particle tests. As the demand for such a quality level grew, it
has become apparent that some uniform code of acceptance would have to be developed beyond the mere
procedure for making the inspection. To this end the ASTM has promulgated E125, "Reference Photographs for
Magnetic Particle Indications on Ferrous Castings". These photographs typify the type, character, and extent of
indication relative to the quality definitions embraced in this MSS Standard Practice. The reference photographs
were originally obtained by a procedure in accordance with ASTM E109, "Method for Dry Powder Magnetic
Particle Inspection, which replaced ASTM A272 in regards to the type of castings covered herein are
concerned. Note that ASTM E109 was eventually withdrawn in 1981 and subsequently replaced by ASTM E709.
The original selection of photographs and their interpretation was undertaken by the Steel Founders Society of
America and were made available to ASTM Committee E-7 for the purpose of establishing the "Reference
Photographs". These reference photographs served a parallel purpose to ASTM E7l, "Industrial Radiographic
Standards for Steel Castings", originally prepared by the Navy Departments Bureau of Ships as reference for
repair and/or acceptance of steel castings upon a basis of radiographic inspections. Thus, the magnetic particle
reference photographs were treated as another type of "go-no-go" gage in defining the original criteria
established within this MSS Standard Practice. Note that ASTM E71 was withdrawn in 1974 and subsequently
replaced by ASTM E446.
The MSS SP-53 was originally approved in January 1957. Complying with MSS SP-53 serves to codify a
quality level in cast steel valves, fittings, and flanges involving casting discontinuities to an extent beyond that
which may be attained through visual inspection. The quality herein implied is the minimum consideration of
safety for the services in which such castings are to be used. There is no implication intended that "visual quality
inspection" of steel casting will not fully support the ratings and requirements of ASME B16.5.
The ASTM E125 Reference Photographs were originally adopted at the prompting of a Joint Task Force
promoted by Subcommittee 3, of ASA (later known as ANSI) Standards Committee B31, on Refinery Piping
Systems; consisting of representatives of ASA, Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA), ASTM, ASME, and
MSS. In addition, the aforementioned Standards Committee B31(developer of the standard known today as
ASME B31 or the American National Standard Code for Pressure Piping), involving the section in B31 relating
to Refinery Piping Systems, was concerned with pressure castings and expressed interest in MSS SP-53, given
its scope and examination applicability. It was then contemplated during this time that MSS SP-53 would be
employed by the B31 Refinery group as a practical vehicle whereby the Pressure Piping Code's safe practice
precepts may be exerted over the steel castings used in the manufacture of valves, fittings, and flanges.
This Forward is informational and provides a historical perspective on the subject. MSS acknowledges the
original assistance and collaboration involving MSS SP-53 by the supporting members of the former ASA
Standards Committee B31 as mentioned above.

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Historically, magnetic particle inspection has been applied to steel castings since the mid-1900s. It became
regarded as an aid to the manufacture of steel castings, particularly pressure containing castings, for use in
severe services. The application of magnetic particle inspection had progressed to the point of recognition in
1944, warranting the issuance by ASTM of its method of "Magnetic Particle Testing and Inspection of
Commercial Steel Castings", known as ASTM A272-44 (withdrawn in 1945). It had been the practice of
manufacturers and users of steel castings to survey castings for the type of defects as revealed by the procedures
and to reach agreement on the extent and areas for which this procedure was to be used. There had been no
standard establishing a dividing line between acceptable magnetic particle indications and those requiring
probing or further exploration.

MSS

STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION

PAGE

1 SCOPE .................................................................................................
2 DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................
3 PROCEDURES ..........................................................................................
4 ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS ..............................................................................
5 REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS .............................................................................
6 REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF DISCONTINUITIES ............................................................

TABLE
1

Acceptance Standards....................................................................................................................3

ANNEX
A

Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates .................................................................................. 4

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MSS

STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

QUALITY STANDARD FOR STEEL CASTINGS AND FORGINGS FOR VALVES,

FLANGES, FITTINGS, AND OTHER PIPING COMPONENTS
MAGNETIC PARTICLE EXAMINATION METHOD
1. SCOPE
1.1 This Standard Practice provides
methods and acceptance standards for
magnetic particle examination of ferritic steel
valves, flanges, fittings, and other piping
components by use of dry magnetic powder or
wet magnetic particles. It is applicable to the
examination of repairs and the initial
examination of castings and forgings.

2.5 Standard Definitions

See
ASTM
E1316,
Standard
Terminology
for
Nondestructive Examinations; relating to
magnetic particle inspection and examination.
3. PROCEDURE
3.1 All exterior and accessible interior
surfaces of the pressure containing parts shall
be examined by the magnetic particle method.
Examination may occur prior to machining or
after machining at the manufacturers option.
This Standard Practice may also be used for
examination of other parts when mutually
agreed upon by the manufacturer and the
purchaser.

1.2 The methods contained in this Standard

Practice provide uniform procedures that will
produce satisfactory and consistent results upon
which the acceptance standards of Table 1 may
be used.
1.3 This examination guide may be used on
a voluntary basis or when specified in an
inquiry, contract, or order and when mutually
agreed upon by the manufacturer and the
purchaser.

3.2 Magnetic particle procedures and

personnel qualification requirements for
casting examination shall be in accordance
with ASTM E709. For forgings, the
examination procedures and personnel
qualification requirements shall be in
accordance with ASTM A275/A275M.

1.4 This Standard Practice includes the

examination of pressure containing castings and
forgings.
2. DEFINITIONS

4. ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS

2.1 Pressure Containing Piece A piece

whose failure would permit the contained fluid
to escape to the atmosphere. For valves, the
body, bonnet (cover), and end pieces (of multipiece valve bodies, e.g., ball valves) shall be
considered the pressure containing pieces.
2.2 Indication A detectable
particle accumulation resulting
distortion of the magnetic field.

4.1 Acceptance Standards for magnetic

particle indications shall be as shown in
Table 1.
5. REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS
5.1 Typical Magnetic Particle Indications
are shown in ASTM E125, Reference
Photographs
for
Magnetic
Particle
Indications on Ferrous Castings.

magnetic
from a

5.2 Indications of weld discontinuities

illustrated in ASTM E125 are merely
examples of discontinuities in weld
repairs and are not indicative of the degree
of severity.

2.3 Linear Indication An indication in

which the length is more than three times the
width.
2.4 Rounded Indication An indication
which is circular or elliptical with its length
less than three times its width.
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STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

5.3 The reference examples of false

indications and magnetic anomalies,
illustrated in ASTM E125, are necessary as
a guide to the type of indications and not
necessarily indicative of any conditions
concerning integrity or usefulness under the
scope of quality defined within this
Standard Practice. It is recognized, that in
some instances, surveys by methods other
than magnetic particle examination may be
necessary to establish what indications
belong to these reference categories.
6. REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF
DISCONTINUITIES
6.1 Piping parts and components rejected
through the application of these standards
may be repaired. If welding is required, it
shall be performed by qualified personnel
and in accordance with requirements
specified in the applicable steel casting or
forging specification.

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6.2 Discontinuities in excess of those

represented by acceptable indications shall
be removed by suitable means. If removal of
surface discontinuities to an acceptable level
does not result in reducing the wall
thickness below the acceptable minimum,
the area shall be blended smoothly into the
surrounding surface. Where removal of
discontinuities results in a wall thickness
below the acceptable minimum, the
resultant cavity may be repaired by welding.
Welded areas shall be blended smoothly
into the surrounding surface.
6.3 Areas which as a result of magnetic
particle examination, have been weld
repaired or from which discontinuities have
been removed without requirement for weld
repair, shall be re-examined by the magnetic
particle method.
6.4 The acceptance standards for magnetic
particle re-examination required under
Section 6.3 shall be as shown in Table 1.

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MSS

STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

TABLE 1
Acceptance Standards

A. CASTINGS
Maximum acceptable indications are as follows:
1. Linear indications (as defined in Section 2.3)
0.3 in. (8 mm) long for materials up to 0.5 in. (13 mm) thick
0.5 in. (13 mm) long for materials 0.5 in. to 1 in. (13 mm to 25 mm) thick
0.7 in. (18 mm) long for materials over 1 in. (25 mm) thick
Linear indications must be separated by a distance greater than the length of the longest, adjacent
acceptable linear indication.
2. Rounded indications (as defined in Section 2.4)
0.3 in. (8 mm) diameter for materials up to 0.5 in. (13 mm) thick
0.5 in. (13 mm) diameter for materials over 0.5 in. (13 mm) thick
Four or more rounded indications in a line separated by 0.06 in. (2 mm) or less edge-to-edge are
unacceptable, unless the total length does not exceed the individual diameter size allowed for the
material thickness being evaluated.

B. FORGINGS
Maximum acceptable indications are as follows:
1. Linear indications (as defined in Section 2.3)
0.2 in. (5 mm) long for materials 0.5 in. (13 mm) or less thick
0.4 in. (10 mm) long for materials 0.5 in. to 1 in. (13 mm to 25 mm) thick
0.6 in. (15 mm) long for materials over 1 in. (25 mm) thick
Linear indications must be separated by a distance greater than the length of the longest, adjacent
acceptable linear indication.
2. Rounded indications (as defined in Section 2.4)
1.2 in. (5 mm) diameter for materials up to 0.5 in. (13 mm) thick
1.3 in. (8 mm) diameter for materials over 0.5 in. (13 mm) thick
Four or more rounded indications in a line separated by 0.06 in. (2 mm) or less edge-to-edge are
unacceptable, unless the total length does not exceed the individual diameter size allowed for the material
thickness being evaluated.

3
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STANDARD PRACTICE

SP-53

ANNEX A
Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates
This annex is an integral part of this Standard Practice and is placed after the main text for convenience.

Standard Name

Description

ASTM
A275/A275M-08

Standard Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination of Steel Forgings

E125-63(2008)

Standard Reference Photographs for Magnetic Particle Indications on Ferrous

Castings

E709-08

Standard Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing

E1316-11b

Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations

The following organization appears in the above list:

ASTM

ASTM International
100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

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Listing of MSS Standard Practices (as of December, 2012)

TITLE
SP-6-2012
SP-9-2008
SP-25-2008
SP-42-2009
SP-43-2008
SP-44-2010
SP-45-2003
SP-51-2012
SP-53-2012
SP-54-1999
SP-55-2011

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Standard Finishes for Contact Faces of Pipe Flanges and Connecting-End Flanges of Valves and Fittings
Spot Facing for Bronze, Iron and Steel Flanges
Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges, and Unions
Corrosion Resistant Gate, Globe, Angle and Check Valves with Flanged and Butt Weld Ends (Classes 150, 300 & 600)
Wrought and Fabricated Butt-Welding Fittings for Low Pressure, Corrosion Resistant Applications (Incl. 2010 Errata Sheet)
Steel Pipeline Flanges (incl. 2011 Errata Sheet)
(R 2008) Bypass and Drain Connections
Class 150LW Corrosion Resistant Flanges and Cast Flanged Fittings
Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components Magnetic Particle Examination Method
(R 2007) Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves, Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components Radiographic Examination Method
Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components Visual Method for Evaluation of
Surface Irregularities (ANSI-approved American National Standard)
SP-58-2009
Pipe Hangers and Supports Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and Installation (incorporates content of SP-69, 77, 89, and 90)
(ANSI-approved American National Standard)
SP-60-2012
Connecting Flange Joints between Tapping Sleeves and Tapping Valves
SP-61-2009
Pressure Testing of Valves
SP-65-2012
High Pressure Chemical Industry Flanges and Threaded Stubs for Use with Lens Gaskets
SP-67-2011
Butterfly Valves
SP-68-2011
High Pressure Butterfly Valves with Offset Design
SP-69-2003
Pipe Hangers and Supports Selection and Application (ANSI-approved American National Standard)
SP-70-2011
Gray Iron Gate Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-71-2011
Gray Iron Swing Check Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-72-2010a
Ball Valves with Flanged or Butt-Welding Ends for General Service
SP-75-2008
Specification for High-Test, Wrought, Butt-Welding Fittings
SP-78-2011
Gray Iron Plug Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-79-2011
Socket Welding Reducer Inserts
SP-80-2008
Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle, and Check Valves
SP-81-2006a
Stainless Steel, Bonnetless, Flanged Knife Gate Valves
SP-83-2006
Class 3000 Steel Pipe Unions Socket Welding and Threaded
SP-85-2011
Gray Iron Globe & Angle Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-86-2009
Guidelines for Metric Data in Standards for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Actuators (Incl. 2011 Errata Sheet)
SP-87-1991
(R 1996 Reinstated 2011) Factory-Made Butt-Welding Fittings for Class I Nuclear Piping Applications
SP-88-2010
Diaphragm Valves
SP-91-2009
Guidelines for Manual Operation of Valves
SP-92-2012
MSS Valve User Guide
SP-93-2008
Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components Liquid Penetrant
Examination Method
SP-94-2008
Quality Standard for Ferritic and Martensitic Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components Ultrasonic
Examination Method
SP-95-2006
Swage(d) Nipples and Bull Plugs
SP-96-2011
Guidelines on Terminology for Valves and Fittings
SP-97-2012
Integrally Reinforced Forged Branch Outlet Fittings Socket Welding, Threaded, and Buttwelding Ends
SP-98-2012
Protective Coatings for the Interior of Valves, Hydrants, and Fittings
SP-99-2010
Instrument Valves
SP-100-2009
Qualification Requirements for Elastomer Diaphragms for Nuclear Service Diaphragm Valves
SP-101-1989
(R 2001) Part-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment Flange and Driving Component Dimensions and Performance Characteristics
SP-102-1989
(R 2001) Multi-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment Flange and Driving Component Dimensions and Performance Characteristics
SP-104-2012
Wrought Copper Solder-Joint Pressure Fittings
SP-105-2010
Instrument Valves for Code Applications
SP-106-2012
Cast Copper Alloy Flanges and Flanged Fittings: Class 125, 150, and 300
SP-108-2012
Resilient-Seated Cast Iron Eccentric Plug Valves
SP-109-2012
Weld-Fabricated Copper Solder-Joint Pressure Fittings (incl. 2012 Errata Sheet)
SP-110-2010
Ball Valves Threaded, Socket-Welding, Solder Joint, Grooved and Flared Ends (incl. 2010 Errata Sheet)
SP-111-2012
Gray-Iron and Ductile-Iron Tapping Sleeves
SP-112-2010
Quality Standard for Evaluation of Cast Surface Finishes Visual and Tactile Method. This SP must be used with a 10-surface, three dimensional Cast
Surface Comparator, which is a necessary part of the standard. Additional Comparators available separately.
SP-113-2012
Connecting Joints between Tapping Machines and Tapping Valves
SP-114-2007
Corrosion Resistant Pipe Fittings Threaded and Socket Welding Class 150 and 1000 (ANSI-approved American National Standard)
SP-115-2010
Excess Flow Valves, 1 NPS and Smaller, for Fuel Gas Service
SP-116-2011
Service-Line Valves and Fittings for Drinking Water Systems
SP-117-2011
Bellows Seals for Globe and Gate Valves
SP-118-2007
Compact Steel Globe & Check Valves Flanged, Flangeless, Threaded & Welding Ends (Chemical & Petroleum Refinery Service)
SP-119-2010
Factory-Made Wrought Belled End Pipe Fittings for Socket-Welding
SP-120-2011
Flexible Graphite Packing System for Rising Stem Valves Design Requirements
SP-121-2006
Qualification Testing Methods for Stem Packing for Rising Stem Steel Valves
SP-122-2012
Plastic Industrial Ball Valves
SP-123-1998
(R 2006) Non-Ferrous Threaded and Solder-Joint Unions for Use with Copper Water Tube
SP-124-2012
Fabricated Tapping Sleeves
SP-125-2010
Gray Iron and Ductile Iron In-Line, Spring-Loaded, Center-Guided Check Valves
SP-126-2007
Steel In-Line Spring-Assisted Center Guided Check Valves
SP-127-2001
Bracing for Piping Systems Seismic-Wind-Dynamic Design, Selection, Application
SP-128-2012
Ductile Iron Gate Valves
SP-129-2003
(R 2007) Copper-Nickel Socket-Welding Fittings and Unions
SP-130-2003
Bellows Seals for Instrument Valves
SP-131-2010
Metallic Manually Operated Gas Distribution Valves
SP-132-2010
Compression Packing Systems for Instrument Valves
SP-133-2010
Excess Flow Valves for Low Pressure Fuel Gas Appliances
SP-134-2012
Valves for Cryogenic Service, including Requirements for Body/Bonnet Extensions
SP-135-2010
High Pressure Knife Gate Valves
SP-136-2007
Ductile Iron Swing Check Valves
SP-137-2007
Quality Standard for Positive Material Identification of Metal Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components
SP-138-2009
Quality Standard Practice for Oxygen Cleaning of Valves & Fittings
SP-139-2010
Copper Alloy Gate, Globe, Angle, and Check Valves for Low Pressure/Low Temperature Plumbing Applications
SP-140-2012
Quality Standard Practice for Preparation of Valves and Fittings for Silicone-Free Service
SP-141-2012
Multi-Turn and Check Valve Modifications
SP-142-2012
Excess Flow Valves for Fuel Gas Service, NPS 1 through 12
SP-143-2012
Live-Loaded Valve Stem Packing Systems
(R YEAR) Indicates year reaffirmed Price List Available Upon Request MSS is an ANSI-accredited American National Standards developer

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