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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGING

PREPARED BY

REVIEWED
&
APPROVED BY

________________

_________________

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ASNT NDT LEVEL II
OPERATIONS MANAGER

ASNT NDT LEVEL III

TECHNICAL MANAGER

REVISION STATUS
S.No

ISSUE NO

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DATE

DESCRIPTION

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Total Pages: 16

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ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGING PROCEDURE
ASME

CONTENTS
1.0

SCOPE

2.0

REFERENCES

3.0

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

4.0

EQUIPMENT

5.0

CALIBRATION

6.0

EXAMINATION

7.0

POST CLEANING

8.0

RECORDS

9.0

APPENDIX 1

10.0 APPENDIX 2
11.0 APPENDIX 3
12.0 REPORTS

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SCOPE:
1.1

This Procedure provides the general instructions for

manual ultrasonic thickness testing (UTT Using DMS2,
A-Scan, B-Scan) of base materials in plates, tubing, pipes,
tanks, vessels, castings and forgings having a nominal wall
thickness of

0.008 (0.2mm) to 25.0 (635mm) in

accordance with the referenced Codes and Standards.

1.2

This procedure is limited to contact testing using

longitudinal wave techniques only.

2.0

REFERENCES:

ASME Sec I

Rules for Construction of Power Boilers.

ASME Sec V Art. 5

Ultrasonic Examination Methods for Materials and Fabrication.

ASME Sec V Art. 23 Ultrasonic Standards.

ASME Sec V Art. 30 Terminology for Nondestructive Examination Standards.
ASME Sec VIII

Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels.

ASME B31.1

Power Piping.

ASME B31.3

Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping.

ASME B31.4

Liquid Transportation Systems for Hydrocarbons.

ASTM E1316-91c

Specification of Terminology for Nondestructive Examination.

API STD 510

Pressure Vessel Inspection Code.

API STD 570

Piping Inspection Code.

API STD 650

Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage.

API STD 653

Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction.

API STD 1104

Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities.

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PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS:
NDT personnel shall be qualified and certified minimum UT
Level II accordance with SNT TC 1A, 2006 edition or
equivalent.

4.0

EQUIPMENT:
4.1

INSTRUMENTS:
4.1.1

The UTT instrument shall have an A-scan, BScan

display

to

assist

the

operator

in

discrimination of test results.

4.1.2

Only portable hand held (A-Scan & B-Scan

Display) Ultrasonic thickness instruments are
acceptable.

4.1.3

Approved Ultrasonic flaw detectors equipped with

electronic gate and digital thickness display may
be used. Refer Appendix -1.

4.2

TRANSDUCERS:
4.2.1

It shall be within the manufacturers operating

specifications for the instrument being used.

4.2.2

When selecting a transducer consideration shall

be given to the surface temperature, expected
thickness of the specimen and the resolution
required.

4.2.3

Transducers may contain either single or dual elements.

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Digital thickness meters with A-Scan, B-Scan

presentation

shall

use

only

manufacturer's

provided transducers.
4.2.5

4.3

Transducer diameter shall be at least 6.0mm.

CALIBRATION BLOCKS:
4.3.1

It shall have a sound velocity within 5% of the

material to be tested.

4.3.2

When absolute precision is required calibration

shall be performed on blocks made of the same
material being tested on known thickness values
of the specimen.

4.3.3

Calibration block type like step wedge and it

shall a valid calibration certificate.

4.4

COUPLANT:
Selection shall depend on chemical compatibility with the
surface and the temperature of the specimen; refer to
Appendix 2.

5.0

CALIBRATION:
5.1

The proper functioning of the examination system shall

be checked and the equipment shall be calibrated by the
use of the calibration standard at the beginning and end
of

each

shift;

every four
5

(4)

hours during the

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examination; when examination personnel are changed;

when any equipment is changed; and at any time that
malfunctioning is suspected.
5.2 Calibration blocks shall be at ambient temperature during
calibration.
Calibration blocks shall not be cooled or heated for cryogenic
or high temperature applications.
5.3 A low viscosity couplant such as Ultra gel II shall be used for
calibration.
High viscosities couplant are not acceptable for calibration
but are usually required for high temperature
measurements.
5.4

The equipment shall be calibrated using a two-point

calibration range that overlaps the expected measurement
range, i.e., select a calibration block or step wedge
thickness value greater than the maximum expected
measurement value and a calibration block or step wedge
value less than the expected measurement value.

5.5

Apply couplant to the step wedge or calibration blocks

and apply firm steady pressure to the transducer during
calibration.

5.6

All calibration values shall be within 0.002 inch of the

known thickness value.

5.7

If at the end of the shift the instrument has drifted more

than 0.002 inches consideration should be given to
retaking

all

of

the

measurements

calibration.
6

since the

last

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Button-type calibration blocks, on the front of some

ultrasonic thickness gauges, shall not be used for
calibration.

6.0

EXAMINATION:
6.1

SURFACE PREPARATION:
6.1.1

Discretion should be used when evaluating

the cleaning requirements of each application, as
many corrosion-monitoring applications require
readings to be taken in the same condition, i.e.,
coated, as when originally measured.

6.1.2

The test area shall be free of coating, paint,

corrosion,

insulation,

weld

spatter,

surface

irregularities, or foreign matter that might interfere

with the examination.
6.1.3
6.1.4

Remove as little metal as possible when cleaning.

The extent, type, and data reporting needs of
the examination shall be determined by the client
and communicated to the NDT coordinator prior to
the test.

6.2

MEASUREMENT:
6.2.1
Examinations shall be conducted from the OD
surface or ID surface, as applicable.
6.2.2
Operating Temperature Range is +10 to +120F (10 to
+ 50C).
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It is necessary that the examiner take into

consideration

the surface temperature of the

component.
6.2.4

If the surface temperature is below 32F (0C) or

above

215F

temperature

(101C),
shall

be

the
measured

surface
and

recorded.
6.2.5
6.2.6

Apply couplant to the probe or the specimen surface.

Commentary Note: For high-temperature
measurements, couplant should always be applied
to the face of the probe, not the hot part.

6.2.7

The transducer acoustic barrier shall be placed

perpendicular to the center axis when taking
measurements on pipe or round objects up to
24 inches in diameter.

6.2.8

The acoustic barrier orientation is not important on

pipe and round objects greater than 24 inches in
diameter.

6.2.9

The transducer shall be held flat on the surface

then slowly rocked tangentially after contact to find
the lowest reading.

6.2.10 All digital readings shall be verified by viewing the

A-scan & B- Scan presentation on the instrument

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as doubling effects can give false readings on

digital outputs.
6.2.11 The lowest reading shall be recorded.
6.2.12

For difficult readings, additional gain may be

required to avoid grinding the transducer into the
surface.

6.2.13

A-Scan display: A valid reading is one that can be

maintained on the gauge display for several
seconds and the value is steady within 0.002
inch.

6.2.14

B-Scan display: B-Scan thickness mapping allows

measuring the thickness

of

section

of

material, for a period of up to 21 seconds,

and displaying a graphical cross section of
the measured thickness.
6.2.14.1

This time period may be set at

3.5. 7, 14 or 21 seconds.

6.2.14.2

At the end of the B-Scan time period,

the displayed B- Scan will remain displayed T-Min

(Minimum thickness) thickness.
6.2.15

Thickness readings shall be measured and

recorded to three decimal places.

6.2.16

Correction for the change in ultrasonic sound

velocity in metal is not required within a thickness
range of 0 to 1 inch.
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Temperature correction shall be performed for

metal

thickness

greater

than

inch

for

temperatures below 32F and over 215F.

6.2.18 The following formula shall be used:

6.2.19

Ta = Tm x [1.007
(0.0001 x
Temp)] Where:
Ta = the actual
thickness of the part
Tm = measured
thickness of the part
Temp = surface
temperature in F
The transducer face shall be cleaned before
each measurement at temperatures greater than
400F as evaporated couplant can leave deposits
on the transducer face.

6.2.20 Use the "touch test" to monitor the transducer

temperature.
6.2.21

If the transducer face is too hot to be held against

skin then it shall be cooled in air or water prior to
taking readings.

7.0

POST CLEANING:
All water based couplant shall be completely removed from the
specimen, i.e., wiped with a dry absorbent cloth or paper towel,
fresh water wash etc.

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RECORDS:
A report of the examinations shall be made with the following
information being identified and recorded.
8.1

Procedure.

8.2

Ultrasonic equipment.

8.3

Examination personnel identity.

8.4

Calibration sheet identity (if not on report form).

8.5

Identification and location of material measured.

8.6

Surface from which examination is conducted.

8.7

Map or record of measurements.

8.8

Date and time examinations were performed.

8.9

Couplant.

8.10 Calibration block identification.

8.11 Surface condition and temperature if required.
8.12 Transducer frequency and diameter.
8.13 Special equipment.
Calibration block identity, type and time of calibrations shall be
recorded on a separate sheet if not provided in the report form.

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APPENDIX 1
APPROVED ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGING
EQUIPMENT LIST

Manufacturer

Model Number(s)

Krautkramer

DMS 2 A-Scan, B-Scan Display

DA301 (General purpose, 5MHz, 5mm diameter Dual crystal,

Probe

1.25mm to 200mm measurement range and operating

temperature is <54C.

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APPENDIX 2
COUPLANT SELECTION LIST

Oil, Cellulose, Ultragel II or equivalent

Ambient Temperature:

Dow Corning 44M Grease - up to 450F

(232C). Sonotech

SONO 600 - up to 500F

(260C) SONO 900 - up to 900F (482C)

SONO 1100 - up to 1000F (537C).
Krautkramer ZGM - up to 100F

High Temperature:

(38C). Hitempco - up to 550F

(287C). Ultratherm - up to 1000F
(537C) Panametrics F-2 - up to 540F
(282C) Panametrics G-2 - up to 600F

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APPENDIX 3
SPECIFICATION OF DMS-2 MACHINE

Ultrasonic pulse / echo

Operating Principle

Dual-element, Dual-element Thru-coat, Single-element initial

Measurement Modes

pulse-to-1st, single element multiple echo (peak and flank

modes), B-scan

B-Scan

Cross-sectional view quickly identifies thinned or laminated

areas.
Automatic microprocessor controlled.

Probe Zero Adjustment

Measuring Range
Material Velocity Range
Power Supply

.008" to 25.00" (.2 to 635 mm); depends on material, probe,

surface, condition, and temperature.
39,400 to 393, 662 in/sec.; 1000 to 9999 m/sec.
4 ea. Standard, AA size, alkaline or NiCad rechargeable
batteries.

Battery Life (operating

40 hours continuous use at 4 Hz update and backlight, Min

time)

Cap, and B-Scan Off

Operating Temperature

+10 to +120F (10 to + 50C)

Range
Hazardous Area

Safe operation as defined by MIL-STD- 810E, Method 511.3,

Operation

Procedure 1.

Thickness Display

5 digit, .5" (12.7 mm) or .75"(19.0 mm), with bar graph

coupling indicator

A-Scan Display

Grid Gratitude: edge, partial, dots, full

A-Scan waveform:

Solid or hollow
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Timed sweep, range, T-Min bar line.

B-Scan Display:

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REPORT NO

DATE
PAGE : 1 OF 2

*ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGING TEST REPORT*

CLIENT

ATTENTION

PROJECT TITLE

DRAWING/LINE NO

ITEM (S) INSPECTED

LOCATION OF TESTED

INSTRUMENT MODEL / SL NO

CALIBRATION BLOCK

MATERIAL

SURFACE CONDITION

TEST SPECIFICATION

PROBE IDENTIFICATION

PROBE DETAILS

RESULT

REFER THE ATTACHED DRAWING & REPORT

page no 2.

INSPECTED BY

VERIFIED BY

ASNT LEVEL II (RT,UT,MT,PT)

ASNT LEVEL III (UT, MT, PT,

RT)
Technical Manager

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DATE:
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S.NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

JOINT
DETAILS

DIA
INCH

STD
THICKNESS

16

90

POSITIONS
180

270