ARTICLE 10 ASME BPVC.

V-2019

MANDATORY APPENDIX II
BUBBLE TEST — VACUUM BOX TECHNIQUE

II-1010 SCOPE II-1030 EQUIPMENT

The objective of the vacuum box technique of bubble
leak testing is to locate leaks in a pressure boundary that
cannot be directly pressurized. This is accomplished by
applying a solution to a local area of the pressure bound-
ary surface and creating a differential pressure across
that local area of the boundary causing the formation of
bubbles as leakage gas passes through the solution.
II-1020 GENERAL
II-1021 WRITTEN PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS
II-1031 BUBBLE SOLUTION
(a) The bubble forming solution shall produce a film
that does not break away from the area to be tested,
and the bubbles formed shall not break rapidly due to
air drying or low surface tension. The number of bubbles
contained in the solution should be minimized to reduce
the problem of discriminating between existing bubbles
and those caused by leakage.
(b) Soaps or detergents designed specifically for clean-
ing shall not be used for the bubble forming solution.
(c) The bubble forming solution shall be compatible
with the temperature conditions of the test.

II-1021.1 Requirements. The requirements of

T-1021.1, Table II-1021, and the following as specified II-1032 VACUUM BOX
in this Article or referencing Code shall apply: The vacuum box used shall be of convenient size [e.g.,
(a) pressure gage 6 in. (150 mm) wide by 30 in. (750 mm) long] and contain
a window in the side opposite the open bottom. The open
(b) vacuum test pressure
bottom edge shall be equipped with a suitable gasket to
(c) vacuum retention time form a seal against the test surface. Suitable connections,
(d) box overlap valves, lighting, and gage shall be provided. The gage shall
(e) acceptance criteria have a range of 0 psi (0 kPa) to 15 psi (100 kPa), or
equivalent pressure units such as 0 in. Hg to 30 in. Hg
II-1021.2 Procedure Qualification. The requirements (0 mm Hg to 750 mm Hg). The gage range limit require-
of T-1021.3 and Table II-1021 shall apply. ments of T-1031(a) do not apply.

ð19Þ Table II-1021

Requirements of a Vacuum Box Leak Testing Procedure
Nonessential
Requirement Essential Variable Variable
Bubble forming solution (Brand name or type) X …
Surface temperature [Note (1)] (change to outside the range specified in this Article or as X …
previously qualified)
Surface preparation technique X …
Lighting intensity (decrease below that specified in this Article or as previously qualified) X …
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Personnel performance qualification requirements, when required … X

Vacuum box (size and shape) … X
Vacuum source … X
Solution applicator … X
Post testing cleaning technique … X
Personnel qualification requirements … X

NOTE:
(1) The minimum metal temperature during test shall not be below that specified in the referencing Code Section for the hydro,
hydropneumatic, or pneumatic test. The minimum or maximum temperature during test shall also be compatible with the test-
ing method.

290
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 ASME BPVC.V-2019 ARTICLE 10

II-1033 VACUUM SOURCE II-1075 VACUUM BOX OVERLAP

The required vacuum can be developed in the box by An overlap of 2 in. (50 mm) minimum for adjacent pla-
any convenient method (e.g., air ejector, vacuum pump, cement of the vacuum box shall be used for each subse-
or motor intake manifold). The gage shall register a par- quent examination.
tial vacuum of at least 2 psi (4 in. Hg) (15 kPa) below at-
mospheric pressure or the partial vacuum required by the II-1076 LIGHTING AND VISUAL AIDS
referencing Code Section.
When performing the test, the requirements of Article
9, T-952 and T-953 shall apply.
II-1070 TEST
II-1077 INDICATION OF LEAKAGE
II-1071 SURFACE TEMPERATURE
The presence of continuous bubble growth on the sur-
As a standard technique, the temperature of the surface
face of the material or weld seam indicates leakage
of the part to be examined shall not be below 40°F (5°C)
through an orifice passage(s) in the region under
nor above 125°F (50°C) throughout the examination. Lo-
examination.
cal heating or cooling is permitted provided temperatures
remain in the range of 40°F (5°C) to 125°F (50°C) during
the examination. Where it is impractical to comply with II-1078 POSTTEST CLEANING
the foregoing temperature limitations, other tempera- After testing, cleaning may be required for product
tures may be used provided that the procedure is serviceability.
demonstrated.

II-1072 APPLICATION OF SOLUTION II-1080 EVALUATION

The bubble forming solution shall be applied to the sur- II-1081 LEAKAGE
face to be tested by flowing, spraying, or brushing the so-
lution over the examination area before placement of the Unless otherwise specified by the referencing Code Sec-
vacuum box. tion, the area under test is acceptable when no continuous
bubble formation is observed.
II-1073 VACUUM BOX PLACEMENT
The vacuum box shall be placed over the solution II-1082 REPAIR/RETEST
coated section of the test surface and the box evacuated When leakage is observed, the location of the leak(s)
to the required partial vacuum. shall be marked. The vacuum box shall then be vented
and the leak(s) repaired as required by the referencing
II-1074 PRESSURE (VACUUM) RETENTION Code Section. After repairs have been made, the repaired
The required partial vacuum (differential pressure) area or areas shall be retested in accordance with the re-
shall be maintained for at least 10 sec examination time. quirements of this Appendix.

291
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Copyright ASME International (BPVC)

Provided by IHS under license with ASME Licensee=Khalda Petroleum/5986215001, User=Amer, Mohamed
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 07/02/2019 13:29:23 MDT