Ultrasonic testing of aluminium

Ultrasonic testing of aluminium

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.

Standard European norm for ultrasonic testing of bars 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).