Ultrasonic testing of aluminium

ultralyd.png

Short description for the different methods and their individual target product

 

The ASTM standards:

There are two ASTM standards, which often are referred to in connection with aerospace, plane and other similar industries.

ASTM B594 - 13 'Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Wrought Products'
For the demands used in companies like Boeing or Airbus the levels are typically set to be ASTM B594-13 Class A. and in some cases rollercoaster and other level up to ASTM B594-13 Class AAA have been used. Most plants that are approved for aircraft industries are capable of performing online ASTM B594-13 class A during their running production.

ASTM E2375 - 08(2013) 'Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Wrought Products'
This second ultra-sonic standard ASTM E2375 - 08 is rarely used, but it needs to be mentioned, as it is important for military purposes.
Both of these Ultra-sonic standards tests can be made on relevant material in the warehouse. Please contact Alumeco for information.

The European standards

The European standards are typically used for testing metals (steel and aluminium) for center cracks and not particles. These tests are relative simple compared to ASTM ultra-sonic tests. And for many projects tests are typically needed and good enough for the customers. A lot of suppliers, cast house are already performing these tests, but only if it is needed. Then it needs to be specified to ensure that tests have been performed. A third party perform the tests on the warehouse materials, but again please contact Alumeco for information.

The standard European norm for ultrasonic testing of bars is EN10308 'Non destructive testing - Ultrasonic testing of steel bars'.
According to EN10308 there are two methods to control the bars - Grid Scanning and complete scanning. Grid Scanning is simple and the cheapest/fastest method, but especially the corners and edges are not controlled efficiently for that you need a complete scanning.

Standard European norm for ultrasonic testing of plates EN10160 'Ultrasonic testing of steel flat product of thickness equal or greater than 6 mm (reflection method)'. This standard is also dividing the tests and into two separate groups. Edge scanning (E classes and bulk scanning (S classes).