BS EN 4050-1:2012

BSI Standards Publication

Aerospace series —
Test method for metallic
materials — Ultrasonic
inspection of bars, plates,
forging stock and forgings
Part 1: General requirements
BS EN 4050-1:2012 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 4050-1:2012.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee ACE/61, Metallic materials for aerospace purposes.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be
obtained on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary
provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.
© The British Standards Institution 2012.
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2012.
ISBN 978 0 580 75193 6
ICS 49.025.05; 49.025.15
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 October 2012.
Amendments issued since publication
Date Text affected
 BS EN 4050-1:2012

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 4050-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2012

ICS 49.025.05; 49.025.15

English Version

Aerospace series - Test method for metallic materials -

Ultrasonic inspection of bars, plates, forging stock and forgings -
Part 1: General requirements

Série aérospatiale - Méthode d'essai applicable aux Luft- und Raumfahrt - Prüfverfahren für metallische
matériaux métalliques - L'inspection par ultrasons des Werkstoffe - Ultraschallprüfung von Stangen, Platten,
barres, des assiettes, des stocks de forgeage et de pièces Schmiedevormaterial und Schmiedestücken - Teil 1:
forgées - Partie 1: Exigences générales Allgemeine Anforderungen

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 July 2011.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 4050-1:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

Contents
Page
Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
2 Generality ...............................................................................................................................................4
3 Normative references ............................................................................................................................4
4 Method ....................................................................................................................................................4
5 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................5
6 Standard test blocks .......................................................................................................................... 10
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 10
6.2 General ................................................................................................................................................. 10
6.3 Reference reflectors ........................................................................................................................... 10
6.4 Surface condition................................................................................................................................ 10
6.5 Attenuation corrections ..................................................................................................................... 10
7 Test equipment ................................................................................................................................... 10
7.1 Electronic equipment ......................................................................................................................... 10
7.2 Transducers ........................................................................................................................................ 11
8 Preparation of items for testing ........................................................................................................ 11
9 Beam angle .......................................................................................................................................... 11
10 Scanning modes ................................................................................................................................. 11
10.1 Plate ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
10.2 Rectangular bar................................................................................................................................... 11
10.3 Round bar ............................................................................................................................................ 11
10.4 Forging stock, forgings and rolled rings ......................................................................................... 12
11 Acceptance criteria ............................................................................................................................. 12
12 Qualification and approval of personnel .......................................................................................... 12
13 Inspection and test report .................................................................................................................. 12

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 BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 4050-1:2012) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of
Europe - Standardization (ASD-STAN).

After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of ASD,
prior to its presentation to CEN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2013, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by March 2013.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

3
BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard defines the ultrasonic inspection procedure for rolled, drawn, extruded and forged
billets, bars and plates, rolled rings and forgings with a uniform square, rectangular or round cross section. It
does not cover critical rotating parts in steel, titanium, titanium alloys, aluminium alloys and heat resisting
alloys that are to be inspected in accordance with the technical supply conditions of the relevant EN standards
or internal specifications.

2 Generality
For products with geometries other than those described above, the test conditions and acceptance criteria
shall be agreed between the manufacturer and purchaser.

3 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 2000, Aerospace series — Quality assurance — EN aerospace products — Approval of the quality system
of manufacturers

EN 2078, Aerospace series — Metallic materials — Manufacturing schedule, inspection schedule, inspection
and test report — Definition, general principles, preparation and approval

EN 4050-2, Aerospace series — Test method for metallic materials — Ultrasonic inspection of bars, plates,
forging stock and forgings — Part 2: Performance of test

EN 4050-3, Aerospace series — Test method for metallic materials — Ultrasonic inspection of bars, plates,
forging stock and forgings — Part 3: Reference blocks

EN 4050-4, Aerospace series — Test method for metallic materials — Ultrasonic inspection of bars, plates,
forging stock and forgings — Part 4: Acceptance criteria

EN 4179, Aerospace series — Qualification and approval of personnel for non-destructive testing

4 Method
The inspection shall be made in accordance with the contact or immersion method depending on the
requirements of the material standard.

Echo indications are classified by comparison with the indications of flat bottom holes (FBH) of specific
diameter, drilled in test blocks that shall be acoustically similar to the material to be tested or have suitable
correction curves to ensure equivalency, or in accordance with the DGS (Distance Gain Size) method.

The method to be applied in each case shall be documented in the form of an ultrasonic technique sheet
which if agreed with the purchaser shall be referenced on the order or in an inspection schedule in
accordance with EN 2078.

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 BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

The following information shall be given:

 testing location;

 material;

 surface and machined condition (round, square, surface ground, turned, peeled, burnished, etc.);

 equipment including transducers;

 calibration standards;

 couplant;

 setting up procedure;

 inspection procedure;

 attenuation;

 methods used for distance amplitude correction (DAC);

 scan plan;

 method of recording results;

 defect evaluation procedure;

 scan pitch;

 scan speed;

 scan overlap;

 inspection classification;

 control checks;

 traceability;

 inspection limitations;

 any other relevant data.

5 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

5.1
manufacturer
See EN 2000.

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BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

5.2
purchaser
body which purchases the products from a manufacturer or a stockist in accordance with the requirements of
the user

Note 1 to entry: The purchaser may also be the user.

5.3
user
See EN 2000.

5.4
attenuation
reduction of the sound energy by absorption and scattering

5.5
multiple discontinuities
indications whose spacing to one another is below the specified limits

5.6
linear discontinuity
indication with a half-value length ≥ 3 times the length of the indications from a reference reflector of maximum
permissible size

5.7
size of discontinuity
diameter of the circular reflector which produces an echo height equal to the echo height of the discontinuity to
be evaluated at the same depth

5.8
distance amplitude correction (DAC)
electronic change of amplification to provide equal amplitude heights from reflectors of equal area at different
depths

5.9
distance/amplitude curve correction
compensation for attenuation and coupling differences between the material to be tested and the standard test
blocks is only possible if the material to be tested has parallel surfaces or if surfaces can be partly machined.
Those surfaces shall be parallel within 0,05 mm

5.10
Distance/amplitude curve in metal
graphical plot of the echo amplitude of targets drilled at different depths in specified test blocks at a
predetermined water gap (immersion technique) or using a specific coupling medium (contact technique)

Note 1 to entry: The shape of the distance/amplitude curve in metal is mainly affected by:
 the structure of the test block, which will influence the sound transmission characteristics;
 the transducer characteristics;

 the geometry and size of the targets.

5.11
the water distance/amplitude curve (immersion technique)
graphical plot of the amplitude of the echo reflected from a 2,5 mm diameter steel ball against distance from
the probe face

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 BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

5.12
distance Gain Size (DGS) diagram
distance amplitude curves permitting prediction of reflector size compared to response from FBH and back
surface reflection. An example of a DGS diagram for a certain product is given in EN 4050-2

5.13
effective probe diameter
the effective probe diameter will always be less than its actual dimension. It is calculated from the following
basic formula:

4 CN
d =
f

where

d is the effective probe diameter in millimetres;

C is the velocity of sound in water, in millimetres per second;

N is near field length measured, in millimetres;

f is the measured frequency, in hertz

5.14
near field
region of the ultrasonic beam extending from the transducer up to “N” or “Nh” point (see 5.21) in which the
ultrasonic beam is subject to variation of intensity due to interference effects

5.15
far field
region of the ultrasonic beam from “N” or “Nh” point (see 5.21) onwards in which reflectors give uniform
decrease of amplitude with increasing distance

5.16
horizontal linearity
the ability of the ultrasonic testing system to respond in a linear manner to reflectors at different depths in a
uniform transmission medium

5.17
vertical linearity
the ability of the ultrasonic testing system to respond with indications whose amplitudes are proportional to a
range of areas of reflectors at the same depth in a uniform transmission medium

5.18
distance/amplitude method
method of direct evaluation of indications from the test item by comparing the signal height with a reference
reflector in a similar material at the same metal path length

5.19
half-value method
method of evaluating the reflector size when the defect size is smaller than the effective test beam diameter in
which the transducer is moved away from the point of maximum reflection in two rectangular axes until the
echo height reduces to half of its maximum

5.20
standard test block method
indirect method of evaluating indications from the test item by comparing the indications with known reflectors
on the applicable standard test block

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BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

5.21
“N” and “Nh” points
the position “N” and “Nh” points correspond to the final maximum on the relevant curve

the “N” point is derived from the water distance/amplitude curve

the “Nh” point is derived from the distance/amplitude curve in metal

5.22
noise indications (grass)
large number of other than discrete signals at the baseline of the oscilloscope which can be caused by:

 material structure;

 surface roughness;

 electrical interference, etc.

5.23
resolution
the ability to give separate indications from discontinuities having nearly the same range and lateral position

5.24
dead zone (top surface resolution)
the minimum distance between the echo obtained from a FBH of the accepted diameter and depth and the
intersection of top surface echo and the echo of the FBH when this difference in amplitude is 12 dB or more

5.25
back surface resolution
the minimum distance between the echo obtained from a FBH of accepted diameter and the intersection of
back surface echo and the echo of the FBH when this difference is 12 dB or more

5.26
flaw recognition level
any predetermined echo height, which if attained or exceeded, causes the indications to be registered

5.27
reference reflector
reflector of known shape, size and position, whose reflection characteristics serve as a reference standard for
unknown reflectors (bearing in mind acoustical laws)

5.28
scanning path
systematic relative movement of the transducer along the surface of the test item

5.29
scanning pitch/index
the scanning pitch is the linear distance between adjacent scans. The scanning index is equal to the scanning
speed divided by the pulse repetition frequency. The index and pitch distance depend on the effective beam
width of the transducer and detectable defect size

5.30
reference sensitivity for the DGS method
expressed in terms of the backwall echo from a 25 mm thick reference plate representing the alloy to be
investigated, or preferably using a reference standard test block

5.31
basic reference sensitivity for the FBH method
derived by taking into account the probe and flaw detector characteristics with respect to a reference reflector

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EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

5.32
working sensitivity
the sum of the loss due to material attenuation to the reference sensitivity, during the calibration

5.33
signal-to-noise ratio
the ratio of the amplitude of an ultrasonic indication to the amplitude of the maximum background noise signal
(grass), at the same depth

5.34
sound transmission characteristics
the major characteristics affecting the transmission of the sound beam in the part to be tested are:

 attenuation;

 noise level;

 sound velocity;

The characteristics are strongly influenced by the material surface condition, and the material structure,
particularly the grain size, grain morphology, phase distribution, homogeneity and grain flow.

5.35
test beam diameter
the test beam diameter will normally correspond to the minimum diameter of the — 6 dB boundary of the
ultrasonic beam measured at the “Nh” point, or to an alternative local procedure (see Figure 1)

5.36
beam angle
acoustic beam the incidence angle of which is greater than zero

5.37
working range
part of the actual distance/amplitude curve where there is adequate flaw detectability

5.38
water gap
distance from a probe face to the surface of the part under examination

5.39
wave modes
longitudinal wave: Those waves in which the particle motion within the product is essentially in the same
direction as the wave propagation

Shear wave: Wave motion in which the particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Surface wave: Wave motion on the free surface of the product, without essential penetration in the product.

Lamb wave: Tension, or flexural waves in plates, where thicknesses are not large in comparison with the
wave length. Their propagation speed is not only dependent on the material, but also on the product of
thickness and frequency

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BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

6 Standard test blocks

6.1 Introduction

The necessary standard test blocks, their method of manufacture and their use shall be prescribed in
accordance with the procedure to be used.

The application of the standard test blocks provided with side-drilled holes shall be agreed between
manufacturer and purchaser. All standard test blocks used shall be checked and marked, as appropriate,
referred to a master and if necessary, provided with a correction factor.

6.2 General

Test blocks shall conform to EN 4050-3. For purposes of echo-height comparison, standard test blocks shall
be used that have circular reflectors at the same depth as the echo indication being evaluated.

Extrapolation in the far field is permissible. Interpolation between the amplitude points may be made, where
the reference line shall contain at least three amplitude points. The standard test blocks shall have contours
similar to those of the items under test.

6.3 Reference reflectors

Reference reflectors shall have diameters 0,4 mm; 0,8 mm; 1,2 mm; 1,6 mm; 2 mm and 3,2 mm.

NOTE Reference reflectors are flat bottom holes in standard test blocks.

Conversion to other reflector sizes is permissible.

6.4 Surface condition

The surface condition of the standard test blocks shall conform to EN 4050-3.

6.5 Attenuation corrections

Suitable test blocks for permitting attenuation corrections to be applied shall be available.

7 Test equipment

7.1 Electronic equipment

When used with appropriate transducers the electronic equipment shall produce ultrasonic test frequencies
between 0,5 MHz and 25 MHz and shall have precision attenuator switches.

The attenuator or gain-control shall be shown to be accurate to ± 2 dB within the useful amplification range by
means of a regular calibration procedure agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser.

The linearity of the amplifier shall be within ± 5 % of the specified value in the range 15 % to 90 % of the
screen height.

Equipment with calibrated distance amplitude correction is preferred.

It is preferred that indications shall be registered with a suitable alarm system, such as stop-on-defect and/or
acoustic and visual signals or synchronised recorders.

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EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

7.2 Transducers

The performance data of the transducer and the capability of the complete test equipment shall be checked at
regular intervals agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser.

The following data shall be checked:

 near surface resolution and where practical far surface resolution for required flat bottom hole;

 DAC, effective near-field length and working range;

 test beam diameter and distance/amplitude curve.

The test beam diameter shall be determined in a relevant manner, e.g. from a drilled hole in a material that
represents the item under test where the hole depth corresponds to a specific point on the distance amplitude
curve and the diameter of the hole correlated to the required Quality Assurance Standard.

No specific restrictions are imposed; however, the frequency used shall be the highest practical frequency
which will provide the penetration and resolution required.

8 Preparation of items for testing

The conditions of the surface of the test items to be inspected shall permit adequate flaw detection to the
acceptance standard required.

Test items shall be clean and free from surface impurities or surface damage.

Identification markings shall be placed in a position agreed by the purchaser and in no case shall reduce the
inspection performance to an unacceptable level.

9 Beam angle
The established beam angle to the surface shall be maintained as constant as possible.

Beam angles specific to the component shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser.

10 Scanning modes

10.1 Plate

Shall be tested from both faces unless it can be proved that the permissible dead zone are not exceeded by
testing from one face only except where the through transmission technique is used.

10.2 Rectangular bar

Products shall be tested from at least two adjacent surfaces unless thickness is less than 12 mm.

10.3 Round bar

Shall be tested normal to the axis unless an angle beam also has been specified for the technique.

Attention shall be paid to optimise the coverage of the bar when defining the scan plan.

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EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

10.4 Forging stock, forgings and rolled rings

Shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.

11 Acceptance criteria
The acceptance criteria are laid down in EN 4050-4.

12 Qualification and approval of personnel

Ultrasonic testing to the requirements this standard shall only be carried out and supervised by personnel
holding appropriate current qualification to EN 4179.

13 Inspection and test report

When required all tests carried out shall be recorded in a test report relating to the item under test in
accordance with EN 2078. This report shall include all relevant information including:

a) The test method;

b) The electronic equipment;

c) The ultrasonic transducer;

d) The calibration procedure;

e) Correction factors;

f) Control settings;

g) The type and reference number of the standard test block used;

h) The size and location of ultrasonic indications from flaws;

i) The attenuation level;

j) The grass level;

k) The drawing number, part number, and serial number of the item under test;

l) Test results;

m) Operator name, qualification, certification and visa or stamp.

Where appropriate, sketches showing the flaw positions and size shall be made. If the ultrasonic equipment
automatically records the test results, these records may be included in the test report.

All records shall be retained as required by the purchaser or the relevant authority.

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 BS EN 4050-1:2012
EN 4050-1:2012 (E)

Key

X amplitude
Y distance
Dmin test beam diameter
1 probe
2 water gap or coupling medium
3 steel block
4 focused beam
5 distance amplitude curve

Figure 1 — Definition of the test beam diameter

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