AWS C3.8M/C3.8:2011

An American National Standard

Specification for the Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Examination of Brazed Joints

AWS C3.8M/C3.8:2011

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

July 13, 2011

Specification for the Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Examination of Brazed Joints

3rd Edition

Supersedes AWS C3.8M/C3.8:2005

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This specification provides the minimum requirements for the pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of brazed joints. Its purpose is to standardize brazed-joint ultrasonic examination requirements for all applications in which brazed joints of assured quality are required. It provides the minimum requirements for equipment, procedures, and the documentation of such tests.

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-792-4

American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

© 2011 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

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All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern- mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

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On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex C). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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Personnel

AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

R. W. Smith, Chair S-Bond Technologies

G. L. Alexy, 1st Vice-Chair The Prince & Izant Company

C. M. Volpe, 2nd Vice-Chair Senior Aerospace

S. N. Borrero, Secretary American Welding Society

K. Allen Bellman-Melcor

R. Aluru Progress Energy

B. Barten Delphi Thermal & Interior

D. W. Bucholz Los Alamos National Laboratory

D. E. Budinger General Electric Aviation

C. F. Darling Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

M. Eliades Solvay Fluorides

W. J. Engeron Engeron Technology Group

S. L. Feldbauer Abbott Furnace Company

L. H. Flasche Foresite, Incorporated

Y. Flom NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

D. Fortuna Sulzer Metco (U.S.), Incorporated

1. Freund Millennium Industries

   Y. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

   P. Gorman Sandia National Laboratories

   1. A. Gourley Curtiss-Wright

   2. R. Hazelbaker The Prince & Izant Company

   3. P. Hirthe Kru-Mar Manufacturing Services

   K. Holko Holko Consulting

   1. M. Hosking Sandia National Laboratories

      1. R. Jachna Modine Manufacturing Company

         1. N. Jain Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

   D. A. Javernick Los Alamos National Laboratory

   G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

   E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical

   J. A. Liguori SpaceX

   M. J. Lucas, Jr. Belcan Engineering

   J. C. Madeni Colorado School of Mines

   1. P. McKinney The Prince & Izant Company

      W. Miglietti Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC

      C. R. Moyer Bodycote Thermal Processing

      T. Oyama WESGO Metals

      M. Pohlman Honeywell Aerospace

      A. Rabinkin Metglas, Incorporated/Hitachi Metals

      J. P. Sands Wolverine Joining Technologies

      1. E. Shapiro Titanium Brazing, Incorporated

   P. T. Vianco Sandia National Laboratories

   C. Walker Sandia National Laboratories

   1. A. Wolfgram Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

      R. R. Xu Rolls-Royce Corporation

      H. Zhao Creative Thermal Solutions

      Advisors to the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

      1. Belohlav Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

         S. S. Bhargava American Axle & Manufacturing Company

         S. Christy Pratt and Whitney

         N. C. Cole NCC Engineering

         C. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

         P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace

         M. J. Higgins Pratt and Whitney

         D. Kay Kay & Associates

         M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

         E. Lugscheider Aachen University of Technology

         W. D. Rupert Wolverine Joining Technologies

         
         

         AWS C3D Subcommittee on Brazing Specifications

   2. J. Pohlman, Chair Honeywell Aerospace

2. M. Volpe, Vice-Chair Senior Aerospace

1. N. Borrero, Secretary American Welding Society

   R. Aluru Progress Energy

   D. E. Budinger General Electric Aviation

   W. J. Engeron The Engeron Technology Group, Incorporated

   1. L. Feldbauer Abbott Furnace Company

      Y. Flom NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

      1. Freund Millennium Industries

      2. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

   Y. P. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rockeydyne

   1. A. Gross Gourley Curtiss-Wright

   2. R. Hazelbaker The Prince & Izant Company

   3. P. Hirthe Kru-Mar Manufacturing Services

F. M. Hosking Sandia National Laboratories

J. R. Jachna Modine Manufacturing Company

J. A. Jain Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rockeydyne

E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical

J. A. Liguori SpaceX

M. J. Lucas, Jr. Belcan Engineering

R. P. McKinney The Prince & Izant Company

W. Miglietti Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC

C. R. Moyer Bodycote Thermal Processing

J. Newman Laser Technology, Incorporated

T. Oyama WESGO Metals

M. E. Sapp NAVAIR—In-Service Support Center

R. W. Smith S-Bond Technologies

P. T. Vianco Sandia National Laboratories

C. Walker Sandia National Laboratories

L. A. Wolfgram Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

R. R. Xu Rolls-Royce Corporation

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Advisors to the AWS C3D Subcommittee on Brazing Specifications

B. Barten Delphi Thermal & Interior

N. C. Cole NCC Engineering

P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace

M. J. Higgins Pratt and Whitney

T. A. Kern Consultant

M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

H. H. Lang York International Corporation

H. Mizuhara Consultant

W. D. Rupert Wolverine Joining Technologies

K. P. Thornberry Care Medical, Incorporated

R. W. Walls Walls Engineering

C. Wohlmuth Consultant

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Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS C3.8M/C3.8:2011, Specification for the Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Examination of Brazed Joints, but is included for informational purposes only.

The American Welding Society (AWS) C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering has prepared this specification to pro- vide specific criteria and requirements for the application of pulse-echo ultrasonic testing to brazed joints.

This specification may be used for the inspection of brazements to show conformance to five associated independent brazing process specifications. These are AWS C3.4M/C3.4, Specification for Torch Brazing; AWS C3.5M/C3.5, Speci- fication for Induction Brazing; AWS C3.6M/C3.6, Specification for Furnace Brazing; AWS C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for Aluminum Brazing; and AWS C3.9M/C3.9, Specification for Resistance Brazing.

The present edition, which supersedes AWS C3.8M/C3.8:2005, includes the following updates:

1. Bears a new title to clarify that pulse echo is the only technique covered

2. Informative material moved to Annex A

3. Substantive and editorial content revised and updated to clarify requirements

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword ix

List of Figures xii

1. General 1

   1. Scope 1

   2. Units of Measurement 1

   3. Safety 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Ultrasonic Testing Requirements 3

   1. Ultrasonic Test Equipment 3

   2. Required Procedures 4

   3. Brazement Ultrasonic Testing 4

   4. Examination Techniques 5

5. Acceptance Criteria 6

Annex A (Informative)—Informative References 7

Annex B (Informative)—Figures 9

Annex C (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 13

List of AWS Documents on Brazing and Soldering 15

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Typical Immersion Ultrasonic Setup 9

2. Manual Contact Mode Inspection Technique 10

3. Automated Immersion Mode Inspection Technique 10

4. Example of Immersion Mode C-scan Reference Standard Inspection 11

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Specification for the Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Examination of Brazed Joints

1. General Requirements

   1. Scope. This specification establishes the minimum equipment and procedure requirements for the pulse-echo ultra- sonic examination of brazed joints. This specification addresses the following techniques: pulse-echo contact (manual) and pulse-echo immersion (automated).

   2. Units of Measurement. This standard makes use of both the International System of Units (SI) and U.S. Customary Units. The latter are shown within brackets ([ ]) or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. The measurements may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently.

   3. Safety. Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard and therefore are not addressed herein.

      Safety and Health information is available from the following sources: American Welding Society:

      1. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

      2. AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets

      3. Other safety and health information on the AWS website Material or Equipment Manufacturers:

         1. Material Safety Data Sheets supplied by the materials manufacturers

         2. Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers Applicable Regulatory Agencies:

         1. United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

         2. Equivalent agencies of other countries and individual states

         Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous, and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program to address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when developing the safety program.

         
         

2. Normative References

The standards listed below contain provisions that, through reference in this text, constitute mandatory provisions of this AWS standard. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.