Designation: A 388/A 388M – 95 Used in USNRC-RDT standards

An American National Standard

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Practice for

Ultrasonic Examination of Heavy Steel Forgings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 388/A 388M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope ence Blocks Used in Ultrasonic Inspection4

1.1 This practice2 covers the examination procedures for the 2.2 ANSI Standard:
contact, pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of heavy steel B 46.1 Surface Texture5
forgings by the straight and angle-beam techniques. The 2.3 Other Document:
straight beam techniques include utilization of the DGS (Dis- Recommended Practice for Nondestructive Personnel Quali-
tance Gain-Size) method. See Appendix X3. fication and Certification SNT-TC-1A, Supplement
1.2 This practice is to be used whenever the inquiry, C—Ultrasonic Testing6
contract, order, or specification states that forgings are to be 3. Ordering Information
subject to ultrasonic examination in accordance with Practice
A 388/A 388M. 3.1 When this practice is to be applied to an inquiry,
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to contract, or order, the purchaser shall so state and shall also
be regarded as the standard. Within the text, the SI units are furnish the following information:
shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not 3.1.1 Method of establishing the sensitivity in accordance
exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used inde- with 7.2.2 and 7.3.3 (Vee or rectangular notch),
pendently of the other. Combining values from the two systems 3.1.1.1 The diameter and test metal distance of the flat-
may result in nonconformance with the specification. bottom hole and the material of the reference block in
1.4 This specification and the applicable material specifica- accordance with 7.2.2.2,
tions are expressed in both inch-pound units and SI units. 3.1.2 Quality level for the entire forging or portions thereof
However, unless the order specifies the applicable “M” speci- in accordance with 10.3, and
fication designation [SI units], the material shall be furnished 3.1.3 Any options in accordance with 6.1, 6.2, and 7.1.10.
to inch-pound units. 4. Apparatus
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 An ultrasonic, pulsed, reflection type of instrument shall
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- be used for this examination. The system shall have a mini-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- mum capability for examining at frequencies from 1 to 5 MHz.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. On examining austenitic stainless forgings the system shall
have the capabilities for examining at frequencies down to 0.4
2. Referenced Documents MHz.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1.1 The ultrasonic instrument shall provide linear presen-
A 469 Specification for Vacuum-Treated Steel Forgings for tation (within 5 %) for at least 75 % of the screen height
Generator Rotors3 (sweep line to top of screen). The 5 % linearity referred to is
A 745/A 745M Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Aus- descriptive of the screen presentation of amplitude. Instrument
tenitic Steel Forgings3 linearity shall be verified in accordance with the intent of
E 317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics Practice E 317. Any set of blocks processed in accordance with
of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Systems Without the Use Practice E 317 or E 428 may be used to establish the specified
of Electronic Measurement Instruments4 6 5 % instrument linearity.
E 428 Practice for Fabrication and Control of Steel Refer- 4.1.2 The electronic apparatus shall contain an attenuator
(accurate over its useful range to 6 10 % (+1 dB) of the
amplitude ratio) which will allow measurement of indications
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, beyond the linear range of the instrument.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys,and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. 4.2 Search Units, having a transducer with a maximum
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 1995. Published March 1995. Originally
published as A 388 – 55 T. Last previous edition A 388 – 94.
2 5
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specifi- Available from the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 11 West 42nd
cation SA-388/SA-388M in Section II of that Code. Street, 13th floor, New York, NY 10036.
3 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. Available from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlin-
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. gate Lane, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228–0518.

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 A 388/A 388M
active area of 1 in.2 [650 mm2] with 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] minimum mechanical properties. In such cases, reexamine the forging
to 11⁄8 in. [30 mm] maximum dimensions shall be used for ultrasonically as completely as possible after heat treatment.
straight-beam scanning (see 7.2); and search units equipped 7.1.3 To ensure complete coverage of the forging volume,
from 1⁄2 by 1 in. [13 by 25 mm] to 1 by 1 in. [25 by 25 mm] index the search unit with at least 15 % overlap with each pass.
shall be used for angle-beam scanning (see 7.3). 7.1.4 Do not exceed a scanning rate of 6 in./s [150 mm/s].
4.2.1 Transducers, shall be utilized at their rated frequen- 7.1.5 If possible, scan all sections of forgings in two
cies. perpendicular directions.
4.2.2 Other search units may be used for evaluating and 7.1.6 Scan disk forgings using a straight beam technique
pinpointing indications. from at least one flat face and radially from the circumference,
4.3 Couplants, having good wetting characteristics such as whenever practicable.
SAE No. 20 or No. 30 motor oil, glycerin, pine oil, or water 7.1.7 Scan cylindrical sections and hollow forgings by
shall be used. Couplants may not be comparable to one another angle-beam technique. When practicable, also examine the
and the same couplant shall be used for calibration and forging in the axial direction.
examination. 7.1.8 In addition, examine hollow forgings by angle-beam
4.4 Reference Blocks, containing flat-bottom holes may be technique from the outside diameter surface as required in
used for calibration of equipment in accordance with 4.1.1 and 7.3.1.
may be used to establish recording levels for straight-beam 7.1.9 In rechecking or reevaluation by manufacturer or
examination when so specified by the order or contract. purchaser use comparable equipment, search units, frequency,
4.5 DGS scales, matched to the ultrasonic test unit and and couplant.
transducer to be utilized, may be used to establish recording 7.1.10 Forgings may be examined either stationary or while
levels for straight beam examination, when so specified by the rotating in a lathe or on rollers. If not specified by the
order or contract. The DGS scale range must be selected to purchaser, either method may be used at the manufacturer’s
include the full thickness cross-section of the forging to be option.
examined. An example of a DGS overlay is found in Appendix 7.2 Straight-Beam Examination:
X3. 7.2.1 For straight-beam examination use a nominal 21⁄4-
MHz search unit whenever practicable; however, 1 MHz is the
5. Personnel Requirements preferred frequency for coarse grained austenitic materials and
5.1 Personnel performing the ultrasonic examinations to this long testing distances. In many instances on examining coarse
practice shall be qualified and certified in accordance with a grained austenitic materials it may be necessary to use a
written procedure conforming to Recommended Practice No. frequency of 0.4 MHz. Other frequencies may be used if
SNT-TC-1A or another national standard that is acceptable to desirable for better resolution, penetrability, or detectability of
both the purchaser and the supplier. flaws.
7.2.2 Establish the instrument sensitivity by either the
6. Preparation of Forging for Ultrasonic Examination reflection, reference-block technique, or DGS method (see
6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the order or contract, the Appendix X3 for an explanation of the DGS method).
forging shall be machined to provide cylindrical surfaces for 7.2.2.1 Back-Reflection Technique (Back-Reflection Cali-
radial examination in the case of round forgings; the ends of bration Applicable to Forgings with Parallel Entry and Back
the forgings shall be machined perpendicular to the axis of the Surfaces)— With the attenuator set at an appropriate level, for
forging for the axial examination. Faces of disk and rectangular example 5 to 1 or 14 dB, adjust the instrument controls to
forgings shall be machined flat and parallel to one another. obtain a back reflection approximately 75 % of the full-screen
6.2 The surface roughness of exterior finishes shall not height from the opposite side of the forging. Scan the forging
exceed 250 µin. [6 µm] unless otherwise shown on the forging at the maximum amplification setting of the attenuator (attenu-
drawing or stated in the order or the contract. ator set at 1 to 1). Carry out the evaluation of discontinuities
6.3 The surfaces of the forging to be examined shall be free with the gain control set at the reference level. Recalibration is
of extraneous material such as loose scale, paint, dirt, etc. required for significant changes in section thickness or diam-
eter.
7. Procedure
NOTE 1—High sensitivity levels are not usually employed when in-
7.1 General:
specting austenitic steel forgings due to attendant high level of “noise” or
7.1.1 As far as practicable, subject the entire volume of the “hash” caused by coarse grain structure.
forging to ultrasonic examination. Because of radii at change
7.2.2.2 Reference-Block Calibration—The test surface
of sections and other local configurations, it may be impossible
roughness on the calibration standard shall be comparable to
to examine some sections of a forging.
but no better than the item to be examined. Adjust the
7.1.2 Perform the ultrasonic examination after heat treat-
instrument controls to obtain the required signal amplitude
ment for mechanical properties (exclusive of stress-relief
from the flat-bottom hole in the specified reference block.
treatments) but prior to drilling holes, cutting keyways, tapers,
Utilize the attenuator in order to set up on amplitudes larger
grooves, or machining sections to contour. If the configuration
than the vertical linearity of the instrument. In those cases,
of the forging required for the treatment for mechanical
remove the attenuation prior to scanning the forging.
properties prohibits a subsequent complete examination of the
forging, it shall be permissible to examine prior to treatment for NOTE 2—When flat-surfaced reference block calibration is specified,

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 A 388/A 388M
adjust the amplitude of indication from the reference block or blocks to tion to obtain an indication amplitude of approximately 75 %
compensate for examination surface curvature (an example is given in full-screen height from a rectangular or a 60° V-notch on inside
Appendix X1). diameter (ID) in the axial direction and parallel to the axis of
7.2.2.3 DGS Calibration—Prior to use, verify that the DGS the forging. A separate calibration standard may be used;
overlay matches the transducer size and frequency. Accuracy however, it shall have the same nominal composition, heat
of the overlay can be verified by reference blocks and treatment, and thickness as the forging it represents. The test
procedures outlined in Practice E 317. Overlays are to be surface finish on the calibration standard shall be comparable
serialized to match the ultrasonic transducer and pulse echo but no better than the item to be examined. Where a group of
testing system that they are to be utilized with. identical forgings is made, one of these forgings may be used
7.2.2.4 Choose the appropriate DGS scale for the cross- as the separate calibration standard. Cut the ID notch depth to
sectional thickness of the forging to be examined. Insert the 3 % maximum of the thickness or 1⁄4 in. [6 mm], whichever is
overlay over the CRT screen, ensuring the DGS scale base line smaller, and its length approximately 1 in. [25 mm]. Thickness
coincides with the sweep line of the CRT screen. Place the is defined as the thickness of the forging to be examined at the
probe on the forging, adjust the gain to make the first backwall time of examination. At the same instrument setting, obtain a
echo appear clearly on CRT screen. Using the Delay and reflection from a similar OD notch. Draw a line through the
Sweep control, shift the screen pattern so that the leading edge peaks of the first reflections obtained from the ID and OD
of the initial pulse is on zero of the DGS scale and the backwall notches. This shall be the amplitude reference line. It is
echo is on the DGS scale value corresponding to the thickness preferable to have the notches in excess metal or test metal
of the forging. Adjust the gain so the forging backwall echo when possible. When the OD notch cannot be detected when
matches the height of the DGS reference slope within 61 Db. examining the OD surface, perform the examination when
Once adjusted, increase the gain by the Db shown on the DGS practicable (some ID’s may be too small to permit examina-
scale for the reference slope. Instrument is now calibrated and tion), as indicated above from both the OD and ID surfaces.
flaw sizes that can be reliably detected can be directly read Utilize the ID notch when inspecting from the OD, and the OD
from the CRT screen. These flaw sizes are the equivalent flat notch when inspecting from the ID. Curve wedges or shoes
bottom reflector that can be used as a reference point. may be used when necessary and practicable.
7.3.4 Perform the examination by scanning over the entire
NOTE 3—The above can be utilized on all solid forgings. Cylindrical
hollow forgings, and drilled or bored forgings must be corrected to
surface area circumferentially in both the clockwise and
compensate for attenuation due to the central hole (see Appendix X4). counter-clockwise directions from the OD surface. Examine
forgings, which cannot be examined axially using a straight
7.2.3 Recalibration—Any change in the search unit, cou- beam, in both axial directions with an angle-beam search unit.
plant, instrument setting, or scanning speed from that used for For axial scanning, use rectangular or 60° V-notches on the ID
calibration shall require recalibration. Perform a calibration and OD for the calibration. These notches shall be perpendicu-
check at least once every 8 h shift. When a loss of 15 % or lar to the axis of the forging and the same dimensions as the
greater in the gain level is indicated, reestablish the required axial notch.
calibration and reexamine all of the material examined in the
preceding calibration period. When an increase of 15 % or 8. Recording
greater in the gain level is indicated, reevaluate all recorded 8.1 Straight-Beam Examination—Record the following in-
indications. dications as information for the purchaser. These recordable
7.2.4 During the examination of the forging, monitor the indications do not constitute a rejectable condition unless
back reflection for any significant reduction in amplitude. negotiated as such in the purchase order.
Reduction in back-reflection amplitude may indicate not only 8.1.1 In the back-reflection technique, individual indications
the presence of a discontinuity but also poor coupling of the equal to or exceeding 10 % of the back reflection from an
search unit with the surface of the forging, nonparallel back- adjacent area free from indications; in the reference-block or
reflection surface, or local variations of attenuation in the DGS technique, indications equal to or exceeding 100 % of the
forging. Recheck any areas causing loss of back reflection. reference amplitude.
7.3 Angle-Beam Examination—Rings and Hollow Forgings: 8.1.2 An indication that is continuous on the same plane
7.3.1 Perform the examination from the circumference of regardless of amplitude, and found over an area larger than
rings and hollow forgings that have an axial length greater than twice the diameter of the search unit. The extent of such an
2 in. [50 mm] and an outside to inside diameter ratio of less indication shall be accurately measured along with variations
than 2.0 to 1. in amplitudes of reflections.
7.3.2 Use a 1 MHz, 45° angle-beam search unit unless 8.1.2.1 Planar indications shall be considered continuous
thickness, OD/ID ratio, or other geometric configuration results over a plane if they have a major axis greater than 1 in. [25
in failure to achieve calibration. Other frequencies may be used mm]. In recording these indications corrections must be made
if desirable for better resolution, penetrability, or detectability for beam divergence at the estimated flaw depth.
of flaws. For angle-beam inspection of hollow forgings up to 8.1.3 In the back-reflection technique, discontinuity indica-
2.0 to 1 ratio, provide the transducer with a wedge or shoe that tions equal to or exceeding 5 % of the back reflection. In the
will result in the beam mode and angle required by the size and reference-block technique, indications equal to or exceeding
shape of the cross section under examination. 50 % of the reference amplitude providing that they travel, are
7.3.3 Calibrate the instrument for the angle-beam examina- continuous, or appear as clusters.
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 A 388/A 388M
8.1.3.1 Traveling indications are herein defined as indica- applicable to such a diversity of products. Ultrasonic accep-
tions whose leading edge moves a distance equivalent to 1 in. tance or rejection criteria for individual forgings should be
[25 mm] or more of metal depth with movement of the search based on a realistic appraisal of service requirements and the
unit over the surface of the forging. quality that can normally be obtained in the production of the
8.1.3.2 A cluster of indications is defined as five or more particular type forging.
indications located in a volume representing a 2-in. [50-mm] or 10.2 Heavy austenitic stainless steel forgings are more
smaller cube in the forging. difficult to penetrate ultrasonically than similar carbon or
8.1.4 Reduction in back reflection exceeding 20 % of the low-alloy steel forgings. The degree of attenuation normally
original measured in increments of 10 %. increases with section size; and the noise level, generally or in
8.1.5 Amplitudes of recordable indications in increments of isolated areas, may become too great to permit detection of
10 %. discrete indications. In most instances, this attenuation results
8.2 Angle-Beam Examination—Record discontinuity indi- from inherent coarse grained microstructure of these austenitic
cations equal to or exceeding 50 % of the indication from the alloys. For these reasons, the methods and standards employed
reference line. When an amplitude reference line cannot be for ultrasonically examining carbon and low-alloy steel forg-
generated, record discontinuity indications equal to or exceed- ings may not be applicable to heavy austenitic steel forgings. In
ing 50 % of the reference notch. These recordable indications general, only straight beam inspecting using a back-reflection
do not constitute a rejectable condition unless negotiated as reference standard is used. However, utilization of Practice
such in the purchase order. A 745/A 745M for austenitic steel forgings can be considered
if flat bottom hole reference standards or angle beam exami-
9. Report nation of these grades are required.
9.1 Report the following information: 10.3 Acceptance quality levels shall be established between
9.1.1 All recordable indications (see Section 8). purchaser and manufacturer on the basis of one or more of the
9.1.2 For the purpose of reporting the locations of record- following criteria.
able indications, a sketch shall be prepared showing the 10.3.1 Straight-Beam Examination:
physical outline of the forging including dimensions of all 10.3.1.1 No indications larger than some percentage of the
areas not inspected due to geometric configuration, the pur- reference back reflection.
chaser’s drawing number, the purchaser’s order number, and
10.3.1.2 No indications equal to or larger than the indication
the manufacturer’s serial number, and the axial, radial, and
received form the flat-bottom hole in a specific reference block
circumferential distribution of recordable ultrasonic indica-
or blocks.
tions.
9.1.3 The specification to which the examination was per- 10.3.1.3 No areas showing loss of back reflection larger
formed as well as the frequency used, method of setting than some percentage of the reference back reflection.
sensitivity, type of instrument, surface finish, couplant, and 10.3.1.4 No indications per 10.3.1.1 or 10.3.1.2 coupled
search unit employed. with some loss of resultant back reflection per 10.3.1.3.
9.1.4 The inspector’s signature and date examination per- 10.3.1.5 No indications exceeding the reference level speci-
formed. fied in the DGS method
10.3.2 Angle-Beam Examination—No indications exceed-
10. Quality Levels ing a stated percentage of the reflection from a reference notch
10.1 This practice is intended for application to forgings, or of the amplitude reference line.
with a wide variety of sizes, shapes, compositions, melting 10.4 Intelligent application of ultrasonic quality levels in-
processes, and applications. It is, therefore, impracticable to volves an understanding of the effects of many parameters on
specify an ultrasonic quality level which would be universally examination results.

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 A 388/A 388M

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. TYPICAL TUNING LEVEL COMPENSATION FOR THE EFFECTS OF FORGING CURVATURE

X1.1 The curve (Fig. X1.1) was determined for the follow-
ing test conditions:
Material nickel-molybdenum-vanadium alloy steel
(Specification A 469, Class 4)
Instrument Type UR Reflectoscope
Search unit 1 1⁄8 -in. [30 mm] diameter quartz
Frequency 2 1⁄4 MHz
Reference block ASTM No. 3-0600 (aluminum)
Reflection area of refer- 0.010 in.2[6.5 mm2] in nickel-molybdenum-vana-
ence curve dium alloy steel
Surface finish 250 µin. [6 µm], max, roughness

X1.2 To utilize curve, adjust reflectoscope sensitivity to

obtain indicated ultrasonic response on ASTM No. 3-0600
reference block for each diameter as shown. A response of 1 in.
[25 mm] sweep-to-peak is used for flat surfaces. Use attenuator
to obtain desired amplitude, but do testing at 1 to 1 setting.

FIG. X1.1 Typical Compensation Curve for Effects of Forging

Curvature

X2. INDICATION AMPLITUDE COMPENSATION FOR TEST DISTANCE VARIATIONS

X2.1 The curve (Fig. X2.1) has been determined for the Reference block ASTM No. 3-0600 (aluminum)
following test conditions: Reflection area of refer- 0.010 in.2 [65 mm2] in nickel-molybdenum-vana-
ence curve dium alloy steel
Material nickel-molybdenum-vanadium alloy steel Surface finish 250 µ in. max, roughness
(Specification A 469, Class 4)
Instrument Type UR Reflectoscope
Search unit 11⁄8-in. [30 mm] diameter quartz X2.2 To utilize curve, establish amplitude from ASTM
Frequency 21⁄4MHz reference block to coincide with values from Appendix X1.
Couplant No. 20 oil

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FIG. X2.1 Typical Distance-Amplitude Correction Curve

X3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE DGS METHODS

X3.1 The DGS method was developed to determine flaw back reflection (B) of the part must be established and suitable
sizes by comparison to a back wall echo produced on the part gain added. Flaw echo indications that appear can be sized via
to be ultrasonic tested. The derivation of DGS curves is the flaw size curves (C) on the overlay. Item (D) depicts the
extensively covered and can be found in standard texts on transducers that the overlay works in conjunction with and (E)
ultrasonic testing, and will not be covered here. The distance or depicts the series of curves that the overlay scales are matched
thickness of the forging ( A) to be tested, as noted on the to.
overlay, must be accurately defined on the CRT screen. The

X4. COMPENSATION FOR CENTER HOLE ATTENUATION ON CYLINDRICAL BORED OR HOLLOW FORGINGS
UTILIZING THE DGS METHOD

X4.1 The hole in a cylindrical bored forging causes sound X4.1.2 Proceed as described in 7.2.2.3.
scatter. In these cases, a correction is required which depends X4.1.3 With the GAIN-dB control, reduce the flaw detector
on the wall thickness and bore diameter. gain by the correction value determined as per the Nomogram
X4.1.1 Determine the correction value in dB from the (Fig. X4.2). Thus, the flaw detector gain is accurately adjusted.
Nomogram (Fig. X4.1).

FIG. X4.1 Example of DGS Overlay

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NOTE—Metric units are presented in this figure to be consistent with DGS scales presently available. Conversion to English units would also be
acceptable.
FIG. X4.2 The Influence of a Central Bore on the Backwall Echo Amplitude of Cylindrical or Plane Parallel Forgings

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