MSS SP-53-1999

Reaffirmed 2007

Quality Standard for Steel Castings

and Forgings for
Valves, Flanges, and Fittings
and Other Piping Components

Magnetic Particle
Examination Method

Standard Practice
Developed and Approved by the
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
127 Park Street, NE
MSS
Vienna, Virginia 22180
www.mss-hq.org
Phone: (703) 281-6613
Fax: (703) 281-6671
E-mail: info@mss-hq.org
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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

An MSS Standard Practice is intended as a basis for common practice by the manufacturer, the user, and the
general public. The existence of an MSS Standard Practice does not in itself preclude the manufacture, sale, or
use of products not conforming to the Standard Practice. Mandatory conformance is established only by
reference in a code, specification, sales contract, or public law, as applicable.

Unless otherwise specifically noted in this MSS SP, any standard referred to herein is identified by the date of
issue that was applicable to the referenced standard(s) at the date of issue of this MSS SP. (See Annex A.)

Non-toleranced dimensions in this Standard Practice are nominal, and, unless otherwise specified, shall be
considered “for reference only”.

In this Standard Practice all notes, annexes, tables, and figures are construed to be essential to the understanding
of the message of the standard, and are considered part of the text unless noted as "supplemental". All
appendices appearing in this document are construed as "supplemental". Supplemental" information does not
include mandatory requirements.

U.S. customary units in this SP are the standard; the metric units are for reference only.

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Substantive changes in this 1999 edition are “flagged” by parallel bars as shown
on the margins of this paragraph. The specific detail of the change may be
determined by comparing the material flagged with that in the previous edition.

Any part of this standard may be quoted. Credit lines should read ‘Extracted from MSS SP-53, 1999 (R
2007) with permission of the publisher, the Manufacturers Standardization Society.' Reproduction
prohibited under copyright convention unless written permission is granted by the Manufacturers
Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry Inc.

Originally Approved February, 1957

Copyright ©, 1985 by
Manufacturers Standardization Society
of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.

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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

FOREWORD

This Standard Practice provides methods and acceptance standards for magnetic particle examination of ferritic
steel valves, flanges, fittings and other piping components by use of dry magnetic powder or wet magnetic
particles. It is applicable to examination of repairs as well as to initial examination of castings and forgings.

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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................ i

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................. iii
1 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 DEFINITIONS..................................................................................................................................... 1
3 PROCEDURES.................................................................................................................................... 1
4 ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS .......................................................................................................... 2
5 REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS......................................................................................................... 2
6 REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF DISCONTINUITIES........................................................................ 2

TABLE

1 Acceptance Standards .......................................................................................................................... 3

ANNEX

A Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates .................................................................................... 4

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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

QUALITY STANDARD FOR STEEL CASTINGS AND FORGINGS FOR VALVES,

FLANGES, AND FITTINGS AND OTHER PIPING COMPONENTS

1. SCOPE 2.2 Indication – A detectable magnetic particle

accumulation resulting from a distortion of the
magnetic field.
1.1 The methods of Section 3.0 provide uniform
procedures which will produce satisfactory and 2.3 Linear Indication – An indication in which
consistent results upon which the acceptance the length is more than three times the width.
standards of Table 1 may be used. 2.4 Rounded Indication – An indication which is
circular or elliptical with its length less than three
1.2 This examination guide may be used on a times its width.
voluntary basis or when specified in the inquiry,
contract, or order and when mutually agreed upon 2.5 Standard Definitions – See ASTM E 1316
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by the manufacturer and the purchaser. Terminology for Nondestructive Examination.

1.3 This Standard Practice includes the 3. PROCEDURE

examination of pressure containing castings and
forgings.
3.1 All exterior and accessible interior surfaces of
2. DEFINITIONS the pressure containing parts shall be examined by
the magnetic particle method. Examination may
2.1 Pressure Containing Piece – A piece whose occur prior to machining or after machining at the
failure would permit the contained fluid to escape to manufacturer’s option. This Standard Practice may
the atmosphere. For valves the body and bonnet also be used for examination of other parts when
(cover) and end pieces (of multi-piece valve bodies, mutually agreed upon by the manufacturer and the
e.g., ball valves) shall be considered the pressure purchaser.
containing pieces.

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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

3.2 Magnetic particle procedures and personnel 6. REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF

qualification requirements for casting examination DISCONTINUITIES
shall be in accordance with ASTM E 709. For
forging, the examination procedures and personnel
qualification requirements shall be in accordance 6.1 Parts rejected through the application of these
with ASTM A 275/A 275M. standards may be repaired. If welding is required,
it shall be in accordance with the requirement
4. ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS specified in the applicable steel casting or forging
specifications.
Acceptance Standards for magnetic particle
indications shall be as shown in Table 1. 6.2 Discontinuities in excess of those represented
by acceptable indications shall be removed by
suitable means. If removal of surface
5. REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS discontinuities to an acceptable level does not
result in reducing the wall thickness below the
5.1 Typical Magnetic Particle Indications are acceptable minimum, the area shall be blended
shown in ASTM E 125, Reference Photographs for smoothly into surrounding surface. Where removal
Magnetic Particle Indications on Ferrous Castings. of discontinuities results in a wall thickness below
the acceptable minimum, the resultant cavity may
5.2 Indications of weld discontinuities illustrated be repaired by welding. Welded areas shall be
in ASTM E 125 are merely examples of blended smoothly into surrounding surface.
discontinuities in weld repairs and not degree of
severity. 6.3 Areas which as a result of magnetic particle
examination, have been weld repaired or from
5.3 The ten examples of false indications and which discontinuities have been removed without
magnetic anomalies illustrated in ASTM E 125 are requirement for weld repair, shall be re-examined
necessary as a guide to the type of indications and by the magnetic particle method.
not necessarily indicative of any conditions
concerning integrity or usefulness under the scope 6.4 The acceptance standards for magnetic
of quality herein defined. It is recognized that in particle re-examination required under Section 6.3
some instances surveys by methods other than shall be as shown in Table 1.
magnetic particle examination may be necessary to
establish what indications belong to these
categories.

2
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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

TABLE 1 - ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS

A. Castings

Maximum acceptable indications are as follows:

Linear indications as defined in Section 2.3

0.3" ( 8 mm) long for materials up to 0.5" (13 mm) thick

0.5" (13 mm) long for materials 0.5" to 1" (13 mm to 25 mm) thick
0.7" (18 mm) long for materials over 1" (25 mm) thick

For linear indications, the indications must be separated by a distance greater than the length of an
acceptable indication.

Rounded indications as defined in Section 2.4

0.3" ( 8 mm) dia. for materials up to 0.5" (13 mm) thick

0.5" (13 mm) dia. for materials over 0.5" (13 mm) thick

Four or more rounded indications in a line separated by 0.06" (2 mm) or less edge to edge are
unacceptable.
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B. Forgings

Maximum acceptable indications are as follows:

Linear indentions as defined in Section 2.3

0.2" ( 5 mm) long for materials 0.5" (13 mm) or less thick
0.4" (10 mm) long for materials 0.5" to 1" (13 mm to 25 mm) thick
0.6" (15 mm) long for materials over 1" (25 mm) thick

For linear indications, the indications must be separated by a distance greater than the length of an acceptable
indication.

Rounded indications as defined in Section 2.4

0.2" (5 mm) dia. for materials up to 0.5" (13 mm) thick

0.3" (8 mm) dia. for materials over 0.5" (13 mm) thick

Four or more rounded indications in a line separated by 0.06" (2 mm) or less edge to edge are unacceptable.

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 MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-53

ANNEX A
Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates

This annex is an integral part of this Standard Practice and is placed after the main text for convenience.

Standard Name or Description

ASTM Standard Specification for:

A 275/A 275M – 1996 Standard Test Method for Magnetic Particle Examination of Steel Castings

E 125 – 1997 Standard Reference Photographs for Magnetic Particle Indications on Ferrous Castings

E 709 – 1995 Standard Guide for Magnetic Particle Examination

E 1316 – 1997b Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examination

Publications of the following organization appear in the above list:

ASTM ASTM International

100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959
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 List of MSS Standard Practices
(Price List Available Upon Request)
Number
SP-6-2001 Standard Finishes for Contact Faces of Pipe Flanges and Connecting-End Flanges of Valves and Fittings
SP-9-2001 (R 05) Spot Facing for Bronze, Iron and Steel Flanges
SP-25-1998 Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges and Unions
SP-42-2004 Class 150 Corrosion Resistant Gate, Glove, Angle and Check Valves with Flanged and Butt Weld Ends
SP-43-1991 (R 01) Wrought Stainless Steel Butt-Welding Fittings
SP-44-2006 Steel Pipeline Flanges
SP-45-2003 Bypass and Drain Connections
SP-51-2007 Class 150LW Corrosion Resistant Flanges and Cast Flanged Fittings
SP-53-1999 (R 07) Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves, Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components - Magnetic Particle
Examination Method
SP-54-1999 (R 07) Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components - Radiographic Examination Method
SP-55-2006 Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components - Visual Method for Evaluation of
Surface Irregularities
SP-58-2002 Pipe Hangers and Supports - Materials, Design and Manufacture
SP-60-2004 Connecting Flange Joint Between Tapping Sleeves and Tapping Valves
SP-61-2003 Pressure Testing of Steel Valves
SP-65-2004 High Pressure Chemical Industry Flanges and Threaded Stubs for Use with Lens Gaskets
SP-67-2002a Butterfly Valves
SP-68-1997 (R 04) High Pressure Butterfly Valves with Offset Design
SP-69-2003 Pipe Hangers and Supports - Selection and Application (ANSI/MSS Edition)
SP-70-2006 Gray Iron Gate Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-71-2005 Gray Iron Swing Check Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-72-1999 Ball Valves with Flanged or Butt-welding Ends for General Service
SP-75-2004 Specification for High Test Wrought Butt Welding Fittings
SP-77-1995 (R 00) Guidelines for Pipe Support Contractual Relationships
SP-78-2005a Gray Iron Plug Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-79-2004 Socket-Welding Reducer Inserts
SP-80-2003 Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle and Check Valves
SP-81-2006 Stainless Steel, Bonnetless, Flanged, Knife Gate Valves
SP-83-2006 Class 3000 Steel Pipe Unions, Socket-Welding and Threaded
SP-85-2002 Gray Iron Globe & Angle Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends
SP-86-2002 Guidelines for Metric Data in Standards for Valves, Flanges, Fittings and Actuators
SP-88-1993 (R 01) Diaphragm Valves
SP-89-2003 Pipe Hangers and Supports - Fabrication and Installation Practices
SP-90-2000 Guidelines on Terminology for Pipe Hangers and Supports
SP-91-1992 (R 96) Guidelines for Manual Operation of Valves
SP-92-1999 MSS Valve User Guide
SP-93-1999 (R 04) Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves, Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components - Liquid Penetrant
Examination Method
SP-94-1999 (R 04) Quality Std for Ferritic and Martensitic Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components - Ultrasonic
Examination Method
SP-95-2006 Swage(d) Nipples and Bull Plugs
SP-96-2001 (R 05) Guidelines on Terminology for Valves and Fittings
SP-97-2006 Integrally Reinforced Forged Branch Outlet Fittings - Socket Welding, Threaded and Buttwelding Ends
SP-98-2001 (R 05) Protective Coatings for the Interior of Valves, Hydrants, and Fittings
SP-99-1994 (R 05) Instrument Valves
SP-100-2002 Qualification Requirements for Elastomer Diaphragms for Nuclear Service Diaphragm Valves
SP-101-1989 (R 01) Part-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment - Flange and Driving Component Dimensions and Performance Characteristics
SP-102-1989 (R 01) Multi-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment - Flange and Driving Component Dimensions and Performance Characteristics
SP-104-2003 Wrought Copper Solder Joint Pressure Fittings
SP-105-1996 (R 05) Instrument Valves for Code Applications
SP-106-2003 Cast Copper Alloy Flanges and Flanged Fittings, Class 125, 150 and 300
SP-108-2002 Resilient-Seated Cast-Iron Eccentric Plug Valves
SP-109-1997 (R 06) Welded Fabricated Copper Solder Joint Pressure Fittings
SP-110-1996 Ball Valves Threaded, Socket-Welding, Solder Joint, Grooved and Flared Ends
SP-111-2001 (R 05) Gray-Iron and Ductile-Iron Tapping Sleeves
SP-112-1999 (R 04) Quality Standard for Evaluation of Cast Surface Finishes -Visual and Tactile Method. This SP must be sold with a 10-surface, three
Dimensional Cast Surface Comparator, which is a necessary part of the Standard. Additional Comparators may be sold separately.
SP-113-2001 Connecting Joint between Tapping Machines and Tapping Valves
SP-114-2001 Corrosion Resistant Pipe Fittings Threaded and Socket Welding, Class 150 and 1000
SP-115-2006 Excess Flow Valves, 1 1/4 NPS and Smaller, for Fuel Gas Service
SP-116-2003 Service Line Valves and Fittings for Drinking Water Systems
SP-117-2006 Bellows Seals for Globe and Gate Valves
SP-118-2007 Compact Steel Globe & Check Valves - Flanged, Flangeless, Threaded & Welding Ends (Chemical & Petroleum Refinery Service)
SP-119-2003 Factory-Made Belled End Socket Welding Fittings
SP-120-2006 Flexible Graphite Packing System for Rising Stem Steel Valves (Design Requirements)
SP-121-2006 Qualification Testing Methods for Stem Packing for Rising Stem Steel Valves
SP-122-2005 Plastic Industrial Ball Valves
SP-123-1998 (R 06) Non-Ferrous Threaded and Solder-Joint Unions for Use with Copper Water Tube
SP-124-2001 Fabricated Tapping Sleeves
SP-125-2000 Gray Iron and Ductile Iron In-Line, Spring-Loaded, Center-Guided Check Valves
SP-126-2000 Steel In-Line Spring-Assisted Center Guided Check Valves
SP-127-2001 Bracing for Piping Systems Seismic-Wind-Dynamic Design, Selection, Application
SP-128-2006 Ductile Iron Gate Valves
SP-129-2003 Copper-Nickel Socket-Welding Fittings and Unions
SP-130-2003 Bellows Seals for Instrument Valves
SP-131-2004 Metallic Manually Operated Gas Distribution Valves
SP-132-2004 Compression Packing Systems for Instrument Valves
SP-133-2005 Excess Flow Valves for Low Pressure Fuel Gas Appliances
SP-134-2006a Valves for Cryogenic Service Including Requirements for Body/Bonnet Extensions
SP-135-2006 High Pressure Steel Knife Gate Valves
(R-YEAR) Indicates year standard reaffirmed without substantive changes

A large number of former MSS Practices have been approved by the ANSI or ANSI Standards, published by others. In order to maintain a single source
of authoritative information, the MSS withdraws its Standard Practices in such cases.
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
127 Park Street, N.E., Vienna, VA 22180-4620 (703) • 281-6613 Fax # (703) 281-6671
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MSS-IHS SP

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