SA 578 vs EN 10160

Comparison of ultrasonic test method and acceptance criteria between SA 578 & BS EN 10160

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SA 578 Plain and clad steel plates of 10mm and above. Sensitivity is adjusted by back wall echo set to 50 – 80% FSH

SA 578 S1 specifies 100% scanning. Acceptance criteria may be Level A, B or C depending on the requirements. For Level C acceptance criteria, an 2 area of approximately 490mm (25mm diameter circle) or less is acceptable. For Level A & B, an area of  2 approximately 4415mm (75mm diameter circle) or less is acceptable.

BS EN 10160 Nominal thickness range 6mm to 200mm. Sensitivity is adjusted by flat bottom holes as 6mm; 8mm or 11mm. so you have to prepare at least 6 blocks or steps in the thickness range of your plate with 8mm & 11mm diameter flat bottom holes for S 2 and E2 quality classes. Alternatively DGS scales can be used for UT machines which support DGS. EN 10160 quality class S 2 & E2 specifies 100mm square grids scanning. S2 quality class does not specify any area for single indication; if the indication exceeds 11mm reference curve, it is straightway rejected.

For quality Level B, two or more 2 discontinuities smaller than 4415mm (75mm dia. Circle) shall be unacceptable unless separated by a minimum distance equal to the greatest diameter of the larger discontinuity or unless they may be collectively encompassed by the circle of 75mm diameter.

For clusters of discontinuities, a maximum of 10 numbers of indications whose signals lies between 8mm and 11mm reference curve in a 1m x 1m square area of the plate are acceptable.

For checking of bond integrity, SA 578 specifies special supplementary requirements as S6 & S7, which refers to material specifications of S 263; 264 & 265 accordingly.

Checking of bond integrity is not specified in BS EN 10160.