2010 SECTION V ARTICLE 4

Alternatively, a thicker block may be utilized provided the reference reflector size is based on the thickness to be examined and an adequate number of holes exist to comply with III-434.2.1 requirements. III-434.2.3 Block Range of Use. The requirements of T-434.2.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-434.2.4 Alternate Block. The requirements of T-434.2.4 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-434.3 Piping Calibration Block. The requirements of T-434.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-434.4 Cladding Calibration Blocks. The requirements of T-434.4 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-435 Mechanics Mechanical holders shall be used to ensure that probe spacing is maintained at a fixed distance. The mechanical holders shall also ensure that alignment to the intended scan axis on the examination piece is maintained. Probe motion may be achieved using motorized or manual means and the mechanical holder for the probes shall be equipped with a positional encoder that is synchronized with the sampling of A-scans. III-460 CALIBRATION III-463 Calibration for Nonpiping III-463.1 Calibration Block. Calibration shall be performed utilizing the calibration block shown in Fig. 434.2.1(a) or on the material to be examined. III-463.2 Calibration. Set the TOFD probes on the surface to be utilized for calibration and set the gain control so that the lateral wave amplitude is from 40% to 90% of the full screen height (FSH) and the noise (grass) level is less than 510% FSH. This is the reference sensitivity setting. For multiple zone examinations when the lateral wave is not displayed, or barely discernible, set the gain control based solely on the noise (grass) level. III-463.3 Confirmation of Sensitivity. Scan the calibration blocks SDHs with them centered between the probes, at the reference sensitivity level set in III-463.2. The SDH responses from the required zone shall be a minimum of 6 dB above the grain noise and shall be apparent in the resulting digitized grayscale display. III-463.4 Multiple Zone Examinations. When a weld is broken up into multiple zones, repeat III-463.2 and III-463.3 for each TOFD probe pair. In addition, the nearest SDH in the adjoining zone(s) shall be detected. III-463.5 Width of Coverage Confirmation. Two additional scans per III-463.3 shall be made with the probes offset to either side of the applicable zones weld edge 12
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in. (13 mm). If all the required holes are not detected, two additional offset scans are required with the probes offset by the distance(s) identified above. See Fig. III-463.5 for an example. III-463.6 Encoder. Encoders shall be calibrated per the manufacturers recommendations and confirmed by moving a minimum distance of 20 in. (500 mm) and the displayed

distance being 1% of the actual distance moved. III-464 Calibration for Piping The requirements of T-464 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-465 Calibration for Cladding The requirements of T-465 are not applicable to the TOFD technique. III-467 Encoder Confirmation A calibration check shall be performed at intervals not to exceed one month or prior to first use thereafter, made by moving the encoder along a minimum distance of 20 in. (500 mm) and the displayed distance being 1% of the acutal distance moved. III-470 EXAMINATION III-471.1 Examination Coverage. The volume to be scanned shall be examined with the TOFD probe pair centered on and transverse to the weld axis and then moving the probe pair parallel to and along the weld axis. If offset scans are required due to the width of the weld, repeat the initial scan with the probes offset to one side of the weld axis and again with the offset to the opposite side of the first offset scan. III-471.4 Overlap. The minimum overlap between adjacent scans shall be 1 in. (25 mm). III-471.5 Multiple Zone Examination. When a weld is broken down into multiple zones, repeat III-471.1 for each weld zone. III-471.6 Recording Data (Gated Region). The unrectified (RF waveform) A-scan signal shall be recorded. The A-scan gated region shall be set to start just prior to the lateral wave and, as a minimum, not end until all of the first back-wall signal with allowance for thickness and mismatch variations, is recorded. Useful data can be obtained from mode-converted signals; therefore, the interval from the first back-wall to the mode-converted backwall signal shall also be included in the data collected when required by the referencing Code.