Non-destructive testing of steel tubes―Automated ultrasonic testing of the weldseam of welded steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal and/or transverse imperfections
GB/T 42664-2023 Non-destructive testing of steel tubes - Automated ultrasonic testing of the weldseam of welded steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal and/or transverse imperfections
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the automated ultrasonic shear wave (generated by conventional or phased array technique) testing of the weld seam of submerged arc-welded (SAW) or electric resistance and induction-welded (EW) steel tubes.
For SAW tubes, the test covers the detection of imperfections oriented predominantly parallel to or, by agreement, perpendicular to the weld seam or both.
For EW tubes, the test covers the detection of imperfections oriented predominantly parallel to the weld seam. In the case of testing on longitudinal imperfections, Lamb wave testing can be applied at the discretion of the manufacturer.
For the detection of imperfections at the weld seam of EW tubes, full peripheral ultrasonic testing is possible.
This document can also be applicable to the testing of circular hollow sections.
Note: For full peripheral ultrasonic testing of seamless and welded (except SAW) tubes, see ISO 10893-10.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5577 Non-destructive testing - Ultrasonic inspection - Vocabulary
ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of personnel
ISO 10893-6 Non-destructive testing of steel tubes - Part 6: Radiographic testing of the weld seam of welded steel tubes for the detection of imperfections
ISO 10893-7 Non-destructive testing of steel tubes - Part 7: Digital radiographic testing of the weld seam of welded steel tubes for the detection of imperfections
ISO 11484 Steel products - Employer's qualification system for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 5577 and ISO 11484 and the following apply.
3.1
reference standard
standard for the calibration of non-destructive testing equipment (e.g. drill holes, notches, recesses)
3.2
reference tube
tube or length of tube containing the reference standard(s)
3.3
reference sample
sample (e.g. segment of tube, plate or strip) containing the reference standard(s)
Note: Only the term “reference tube” is used in this document, also covering the term “reference sample”.
3.4
tube
hollow long product open at both ends, of any cross-sectional shape
3.5
welded tube
ttube made by forming a hollow profile from a flat product and welding adjacent edges together. After welding the tube may be further processed, either hot or cold, into its final dimensions
3.6
electric welded tube
tube made by pressure welding, in a continuous or non-continuous process, in which strip is formed cold into a hollow profile and the seam weld made by heating the adjacent edges through the resistance to the passage of high- or low-frequency current, and pressing the edges together
Note: The electric current can be applied either by direct electrode contact or by induction.
3.7
manufacturer
organization that manufactures products in accordance with the relevant standard(s) and declares the compliance of the delivered products with all applicable provisions of the relevant standard(s)
3.8
agreement
contractual arrangement between the manufacturer and purchaser at the time of enquiry and order
4 General requirements
4.1 Unless otherwise specified by the product standards or agreed on by the purchaser and manufacturer, an ultrasonic test shall be carried out on tubes after completion of all the primary production process operations (rolling, heat treating, cold and hot working, sizing and primary straightening, etc.).
For cold-expanded tubes, the ultrasonic testing of the weld shall be carried out after expansion. In case of spirally welded tubes, where the tube is not subsequently subjected to a hydrostatic test at the tube mill, the acceptance test may be carried out online.
4.2 The tubes under test shall be sufficiently straight to ensure the validity of the test. The surface shall be sufficiently free of foreign matter which can interfere with the validity of the test.
4.3 This test shall be carried out by suitably trained operators, qualified in accordance with ISO 9712, ISO 11484 or equivalent and supervised by competent personnel nominated by the manufacturer. In the case of third-party inspection, this shall be agreed on by the purchaser and manufacturer.
The operating authorization issued by the employer shall be according to a written procedure. Non-destructive testing (NDT) operations shall be authorized by a level 3 NDT individual approved by the employer.
Note: The definition of levels 1, 2 and 3 can be found in appropriate International Standards, e.g. ISO 9712 and ISO 11484.
