STD.PFI ES-20-ENGL 1997 . . 7164544 0000412 653 . .

PFI Standard ES-20

(Revised March 1997)

WALL THICKNESS MEASUREMENT

BY ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION

Prepared by
Pipe Fabrication Institute Engineering Committee

All PFI Standards are advisory only. There is no

agreement to adhere to any PFI Standard and
their use by anyone is entirely voluntary.

Copyright by

PIPE FABRICATION INSTITUTE

Dedicated to Technical Advancement and Standardization in
the Pipe Fabrication Industry
Since = 1913
P. O. Box 173 • Springdale, PA 15144

ES-20
 STD.PFI ES-2D-ENGL 1997 . . 7164544 0000413 59T . .
I Denotes Revision
PFI Standard ES~20
(Revised March 1997)

WALL THICKNESS MEASUREMENT

BY ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION

METRIC CONVERSIONS

The conversion of quantities between systems of units involves a determination of the number of
significant digits to be retained. All conversions depend upon the intended precision of the original
quantity and are rounded to the appropriate accuracy.

Pipe sizes together with applicable wall thickness' are not shown with metric equivalents.

The SI (Metric) values where included with the customary U.S. values in this Standard are the rounded
equivalents of the US values and are for reference only.

Metric units were derived utilizing the following conversion factor:

Conversion &1m:
inches to millimeter 25.4

1.0 Scope 3.0 Surface

1.1 This Standard establishes the requirements for
measuring the wall thickness of plate, pipe, fittings
and pipe bends by ultrasonic means.
1.2 The resonance or pulse echo method may be
employed to verify the wall thickness
measurements. The data presented in this Standard
pertains to the pulse echo methOd.
2.0 General
3.1 The fmished contact surfaces (i.e., weld or base
material) shall be free from weld spatter, dirt, loose
scale, foreign material, and any roughness that
would interfere with the contact of the transducer
or impair the transmission of the ultrasonic
vibrations. Unless otherwise specified in the
Customer's Specification or Purchase Order, only
the area in contact with the transducer need to be
cleaned to this extent.

2.1 Wall thickness measurements may be taken at the 4.0 Equipment

discretion of the fabricator for information or when
4.1 Pulse-Echo Method
required by the Customer's Specification or
Purchase Order. 4.1.1 An electronic system capable of producing,
receiving and displaying high frequency
2.2 The person taking the measurement readings shall
electrical impulses at various frequencies and
read the operating instructions of the equipment
energy levels. Some systems use a cathode
and receive sufficient training to operate the
ray tube (CRT) presentation, a digital display,
equipment and obtain a correct reading. The
or dial indicator readout.
training shall include the information necessary for
the person taking the thickness measurements to 4.2 Transducers
determine if an erroneous reading is being obtained
4.2.1 Transducers shall be capable of transmitting
(Le., double reading from thin wall material, poor
and receiving ultrasonic sound waves in the
contact, C bore, lamination, etc.).
part to be measured. On pipe or fittings of
2.3 Measurements shall be taken in the Fabricator's small diameters, curved transducers or shoes
shop prior to shipment. may be used.

Copyright by the Pipe Fabrication Institute

Thu Aug 31 19:30:35 2006
 STD.PFI ES-2D-ENGL 1997 . . 7164544 0000414 426 . .
I Denotes Revision
PFr Standard ES-20
(Revised March 1997)

5.0 Couplant
5.1 A liquid couplant such as water, oil, glycerin etc. 7.2 For pipe bends, thickness measurement shall be
capable of conducting ultrasonic sound waves from taken at points approximately 15 degrees apart with
the transducer to the part shall be used. 3 readings minimum along the length, on the
tension side of the bend are, beginning at either
5.2 Couplants may be removed from the part at the tangent location. For pipe and fittings, the
discretion of the fabricator. fabricator may select the location for the
6.0 Calibration measurement to be taken. All readings shall show
compliance with the specified minimum wall
6.1 The instrument shall be calibrated in accordance thickness.
with the Manufacturer's recommended practice on
a test specimen of similar surface condition, similar 8.0 Records
metallurgical structure and the same or equivalent 8.1 A record of the examination shall be made on the
P-Number. P-Numbers 1,3,4 and 5 materials are fabricator's Standard Report Form as approved by
considered equivalent. The thickness of the test the client. Changes to the Report Form shall be a
specimen should be accurately measured with a matter of prior agreement between the Fabricator
micrometer and recorded. The part to be measured and his client. The following are examples of data
may be considered as the test specimen. that may be recorded on the Report Form:
7.0 Measuring Procedure a. Date of Measurement
7.1 Pulse-Echo Method b. Location
7.1.1 Clean surface in accordance with Paragraph 3. c. Customer
7.1.2 Calibrate instrument in accordance with d. Acceptance Criteria
Paragraph 6.
e. Material Specification
7.1.3 Apply couplant to surface to be measured in
f. Product Form
accordance with Paragraph 5.
g. Surface Preparation
7.1.4 Place transducer firmly on part and read the
thickness of the part on the CRT screen, direct h. Method or Procedure
digital or dial indicator readout.
1. Type and Model of Equipment
j. Distance Between Points
k. Results of Thickness Readings

Copyright by the Pipe Fabrication Institute

Thu Aug 31 19:30:35 2006
 STD.PFI ES-20-ENGL 1997 . . 7164544 0000415 362 . .

A c:urrent index of the latest revised ES Standards and Technical BulletiDs is awilable from the
Pipe Fabrication Iasritute

PFI Standards and Technical BuI1etiDs are published to serve proven needs of the pipe fabricating

Eo.gineeriae=
industry at the design level and in acmal shop operatioos. Hence, such needs are continually considered
and reviewed ~ the
procedwes which have been
of the Pipe Fabrication Institute to provide recommended
by collective experiences to fulfill requirements in a
manner for Code compliance. However, as the PFI Standards are for minimum requirements the
designer or fabricator always has the 0Eti00 of specifying supplementary conditions in the form
of requirements beyond the scope of the PFI public:aUons.

Copyright by the Pipe Fabrication Institute

Thu Aug 31 19:30:35 2006