ASME BPVC.
V-2019 ARTICLE 4
MANDATORY APPENDIX IX
PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FLAW SIZING
AND CATEGORIZATION
IX-410 SCOPE
This Mandatory Appendix provides requirements for
the qualification12 of ultrasonic examination procedures
when flaw sizing (i.e., length and through-wall height)
and categorization (i.e., surface or subsurface) determina-
tion are specified for fracture-mechanics-based accep-
tance criteria.
IX-420 GENERAL
The requirements of Article 4 apply except as modified
by this Appendix.
IX-430 EQUIPMENT
IX-435 DEMONSTRATION BLOCKS
IX-435.1 General. The following Article 4 paragraphs
apply to demonstration blocks: T-434.1.2, T-434.1.3,
T-434.1.4, T-434.1.5, T-434.1.6, and T-434.1.7.
IX-435.2 Preparation. A demonstration block shall
be prepared by welding or, provided the acoustic proper-
ties are similar, the hot isostatic process (HIP) may be
used.
IX-435.3 Thickness. The demonstration block shall
be within 25% of the thickness to be examined. For welds
joining two different thicknesses of material, demonstra-
tion block thickness shall be based on the thinner of the
two materials.
IX-435.4 Weld Joint Configuration. The demonstra-
tion block’s weld joint geometry shall be representative
of the production joint’s details, except when performing
TOFD examinations of equal thickness butt welds in ac-
cordance with Mandatory Appendix III.
IX-435.5 Flaw Location. Unless specified otherwise
by the referencing Code Section, the demonstration block
shall contain a minimum of three actual planar flaws or
three EDM notches oriented to simulate flaws parallel
to the production weld’s axis and major groove faces.
The flaws shall be located at or adjacent to the block’s
groove faces as follows:
(a) one surface flaw on the side of the block represent-
ing the component O.D. surface
(b) one surface flaw on the side of the block represent-
ing the component I.D. surface
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(c) one subsurface flaw
When the scan plan to be utilized subdivides a weld
into multiple examination zones, a minimum of one flaw
per zone is required.
IX-435.6 Flaw Size. Demonstration block flaw sizes
shall be based on the demonstration block thickness
and shall be no larger than that specified by the referen-
cing Code Section
(a) maximum acceptable flaw height for material less
than 1 in. (25 mm) thick, or
(b) for material equal to or greater than 1 in. (25 mm)
thick, an aspect ratio of
(1) 0.25 for surface flaws
(2) 0.25 (a /l) or 0.50 (h /l ), as applicable, for subsur-
face flaws
NOTE: a /l aspect ratios are used by Sections I and VIII. h /l aspect
ratios are used by Section B31.
IX-435.7 Single I.D./O.D. Flaw Alternative. When
the demonstration block can be scanned from both major
surfaces during the qualification scan [e.g., joint I.D. and
O.D. have a similar detail, diameter of curvature is greater
than 20 in. (500 mm), no cladding or weld overlay pres-
ent, etc.], then only one surface flaw is required.
IX-435.8 One-Sided Exams. When, due to obstruc-
tions, the weld examination can only be performed from
one side of the weld axis, the demonstration block shall
contain two sets of flaws, one set on each side of the weld
axis. When the demonstration block can be scanned from
both sides of the weld axis during the qualification scan
(e.g., similar joint detail and no obstructions), then only
one set of flaws is required.
IX-440 MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS
IX-442 QUALIFICATION DATA
The demonstration block shall be scanned and the qua-
lification data saved per the procedure being qualified
and shall be available to the Inspector and Owner/User
along with a copy of any software necessary to view the
data.
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 ARTICLE 4 ASME BPVC.V-2019

IX-480 EVALUATION flaw recorded responses meet the requirements of

IX-482(a) and/or it is used for the detection of transverse
IX-481 SIZE AND CATEGORY reflectors. Acceptable performance, unless specified by
Flaws shall be sized and categorized in accordance with the User or referencing Code, is defined as the demonstra-
the written procedure being qualified. tion block’s flaws being
(a) sized as being equal to or greater than their actual
IX-482 AUTOMATED AND SEMIAUTOMATED size (i.e., both length and height)
ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(b) properly categorized (i.e., surface or subsurface)
Acceptable performance shall be as specified by the re-
ferencing Code Section. When the referencing Code Sec-
tion does not specify the acceptable performance, the
IX-490 DOCUMENTATION
following shall apply:
(a) detection of all the flaws in the demonstration block IX-492 DEMONSTRATION BLOCK RECORD
(b) recorded responses or imaged lengths, as applic-
The following information shall be recorded:
able, exceed the specified evaluation criteria of the proce-
(a) the information specified by the procedure being
dure being demonstrated
qualified
(c) the flaws are properly categorized (i.e., surface or
subsurface) (b) demonstration block thickness, joint geometry in-
(d) the flaw’s determined size is equal to or greater cluding any cladding or weld overlays, and flaw data
than its true size, both length and height [i.e., position in block, size (length and height)], separa-
(e) the flaw’s determined length or height is not over- tion distance to nearest surface, category (surface or
sized by more than 50% subsurface)
(c) scanning sensitivity and search unit travel speed
IX-483 SUPPLEMENTAL MANUAL TECHNIQUE(S) (d) qualification scan data
ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE (e) flaw sizing data [same information as flaw data in
Demonstration block flaws may be sized and categor- (b)]
ized by a supplemental manual technique(s) outlined in (f) supplemental manual technique(s) sizing data, if
the procedure, only if the automated or semiautomated applicable [same information as flaw data in (b)]
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120
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