--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Designation: E 797 – 05

Standard Practice for

Measuring Thickness by Manual Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo
Contact Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 797; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 4. Summary of Practice

1.1 This practice2 provides guidelines for measuring the 4.1 Thickness (T), when measured by the pulse-echo ultra-
thickness of materials using the contact pulse-echo method at sonic method, is a product of the velocity of sound in the
temperatures not to exceed 200°F [93°C]. material and one half the transit time (round trip) through the
1.2 This practice is applicable to any material in which material.
ultrasonic waves will propagate at a constant velocity through- Vt
out the part, and from which back reflections can be obtained T5 2
and resolved.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to where:
be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for T = thickness,
information only. V = velocity, and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the t = transit time.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.2 The pulse-echo ultrasonic instrument measures the tran-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- sit time of the ultrasonic pulse through the part.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.3 The velocity in the material being examined is a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. function of the physical properties of the material. It is usually
assumed to be a constant for a given class of materials. Its
2. Referenced Documents approximate value can be obtained from Table X3.1 in Practice
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3 E 494 or from the Nondestructive Testing Handbook, or it can
E 317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics be determined empirically.
of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Examination Systems Without 4.4 One or more reference blocks are required having
the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments known velocity, or of the same material to be examined, and
E 494 Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Mate- having thicknesses accurately measured and in the range of
rials thicknesses to be measured. It is generally desirable that the
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Testing thicknesses be “round numbers” rather than miscellaneous odd
2.2 ASNT Document: values. One block should have a thickness value near the
Nondestructive Testing Handbook, 2nd Edition, Vol 74 maximum of the range of interest and another block near the
minimum thickness.
3. Terminology 4.5 The display element (A-scan display, meter, or digital
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this display) of the instrument must be adjusted to present conve-
practice, refer to Terminology E 1316. nient values of thickness dependent on the range being used.
The control for this function may have different names on
different instruments, including range, sweep, material stan-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- dardize, or velocity.
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on 4.6 The timing circuits in different instruments use various
Ultrasonic Testing Procedure.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally conversion schemes. A common method is the so-called
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E 797 - 95(2001). time/analog conversion in which the time measured by the
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Practice instrument is converted into a proportional d-c voltage which is
SE-797 in Section II of that Code.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
then applied to the readout device. Another technique uses a
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM very high-frequency oscillator that is modulated or gated by the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on appropriate echo indications, the output being used either
the ASTM website. directly to suitable digital readouts or converted to a voltage for
4
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

Copyright ASTM International 1

Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05

--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
NOTE 1—Slope of velocity conversion line is approximately that of steel.
FIG. 1 Transit Time/Thickness Relationship

other presentation. A relationship of transit time versus thick- 6.1.1 Flaw detectors with A-scan display readouts display
ness is shown graphically in Fig. 1. time/amplitude information. Thickness determinations are
made by reading the distance between the zero-corrected initial
5. Significance and Use pulse and first-returned echo (back reflection), or between
5.1 The techniques described provide indirect measurement multiple-back reflection echoes, on a standardized base line of
of thickness of sections of materials not exceeding tempera- the A-scan display. The base line of the A-scan display should
tures of 200°F [93°C]. Measurements are made from one side be adjusted for the desired thickness increments.
of the object, without requiring access to the rear surface. 6.1.2 Flaw detectors with numeric readout are a combina-
5.2 Ultrasonic thickness measurements are used extensively tion pulse ultrasound flaw detection instrument with an A-scan
on basic shapes and products of many materials, on precision display and additional circuitry that provides digital thickness
machined parts, and to determine wall thinning in process information. The material thickness can be electronically
equipment caused by corrosion and erosion. measured and presented on a digital readout. The A-scan
5.3 Recommendations for determining the capabilities and display provides a check on the validity of the electronic
limitations of ultrasonic thickness gages for specific applica- measurement by revealing measurement variables, such as
tions can be found in the cited references.5,6 internal discontinuities, or echo-strength variations, which
might result in inaccurate readings.
6. Apparatus 6.1.3 Thickness readout instruments are modified versions
6.1 Instruments—Thickness-measurement instruments are of the pulse-echo instrument. The elapsed time between the
divided into three groups: (1) Flaw detectors with an A-scan initial pulse and the first echo or between multiple echoes is
display readout, (2) Flaw detectors with an A-scan display and converted into a meter or digital readout. The instruments are
direct thickness readout, and (3) Direct thickness readout. designed for measurement and direct numerical readout of
specific ranges of thickness and materials.
6.2 Search Units—Most pulse-echo type search units
5
Bosselaar, H., and Goosens, J.C.J., “Method to Evaluate Direct-Reading (straight-beam contact, delay line, and dual element) are
Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Thickness Meters,” Materials Evaluation, March 1971, pp. applicable if flaw detector instruments are used. If a thickness
45–50.
6 readout instrument has the capability to read thin sections, a
Fowler, K.A., Elfbaum, G.M., Husarek, V., and Castel, J., “Applications of
Precision Ultrasonic Thickness Gaging,” Proceedings of the Eighth World Confer- highly damped, high-frequency search unit is generally used.
ence on Nondestructive Testing, Cannes, France, Sept. 6–11, 1976, Paper 3F.5. High-frequency (10 MHz or higher) delay line search units are

Copyright ASTM International 2

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05

--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
(a) Proportional sound path increases with decrease in thickness.

(b) Typical reading error values

FIG. 2 Dual Transducer Nonlinearity

generally required for thicknesses less than about 0.6 mm 7. Standardization of Apparatus
[0.025 in.]. Measurements of materials at high temperatures
7.1 Case I—Direct Contact, Single-Element Search Unit:
require search units specially designed for the application.
When dual element search units are used, their inherent 7.1.1 Conditions—The display start is synchronized to the
nonlinearity usually requires special corrections for thin sec- initial pulse. All display elements are linear. Full thickness is
tions. (See Fig. 2.) For optimum performance, it is often displayed on the A-scan display.
necessary that the instrument and search units be matched. 7.1.2 Under these conditions, we can assume that the
6.3 Standardization Blocks—The general requirements for velocity conversion line effectively pivots about the origin
appropriate standardization blocks are given in 4.4, 7.1.3, (Fig. 1). It may be necessary to subtract the wear-plate time,
7.2.2.1, 7.3.2, and 7.4.3. Multi-step blocks that may be useful requiring minor use of delay control. It is recommended that
for these standardization procedures are described in Appendix
X1 (Figs. X1.1 and X1.2).

Copyright ASTM International 3

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05
standardization blocks providing a minimum of two thick- an inherent error due to the Vee path that the sound beam
nesses that span the thickness range be used to check the travels. The transit time is no longer linearly proportional to
full-range accuracy. thickness, and the condition deteriorates toward the low
7.1.3 Place the search unit on a standardization block of thickness end of the range. The variation is also shown
known thickness with suitable couplant and adjust the instru- schematically in Fig. 2(a). Typical error values are shown in
ment controls (material standardization, range, sweep, or Fig. 2(b).
velocity) until the display presents the appropriate thickness 7.3.2 If measurements are to be made over a very limited
reading. range near the thin end of the scale, it is possible to standardize
7.1.4 The readings should then be checked and adjusted on the instrument with the technique in Case II using appropriate
standardization blocks with thickness of lesser value to im- thin standardization blocks. This will produce a correction
prove the overall accuracy of the system. curve that is approximately correct over that limited range.
--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

7.2 Case II—Delay Line Single-Element Search Unit: Note that it will be substantially in error at thicker measure-
7.2.1 Conditions—When using this search unit, it is neces- ments.
sary that the equipment be capable of correcting for the time 7.3.3 If a wide range of thicknesses is to be measured, it
during which the sound passes through the delay line so that may be more suitable to standardize as in Case II using
the end of the delay can be made to coincide with zero standardization blocks at the high end of the range and perhaps
thickness. This requires a so-called “delay” control in the halfway toward the low end. Following this, empirical correc-
instrument or automatic electronic sensing of zero thickness. tions can be established for the very thin end of the range.
7.2.2 In most instruments, if the material standardize circuit 7.3.4 For a direct-reading panel-type meter display, it is
was previously adjusted for a given material velocity, the delay convenient to build these corrections into the display as a
control should be adjusted until a correct thickness reading is nonlinear function.
obtained on the instrument. However, if the instrument must be 7.4 Case IV—Thick Sections:
completely standardized with the delay line search unit, the 7.4.1 Conditions—For use when a high degree of accuracy
following technique is recommended: is required for thick sections.
7.4.2 Direct contact search unit and initial pulse synchroni-
7.2.2.1 Use at least two standardization blocks. One should
zation are used. The display start is delayed as described in
have a thickness near the maximum of the range to be
7.4.4. All display elements should be linear. Incremental
measured and the other block near the minimum thickness. For
thickness is displayed on the A-scan display.
convenience, it is desirable that the thickness should be “round
7.4.3 Basic standardization of the sweep will be made as
numbers” so that the difference between them also has a
described in Case I. The standardization block chosen for this
convenient “round number” value.
standardization should have a thickness that will permit stan-
7.2.2.2 Place the search unit sequentially on one and then dardizing the full-sweep distance to adequate accuracy, that is,
the other block, and obtain both readings. The difference about 10 mm [0.4 in.] or 25 mm [1.0 in.] full scale.
between these two readings should be calculated. If the reading 7.4.4 After basic standardization, the sweep must be de-
thickness difference is less than the actual thickness difference, layed. For instance, if the nominal part thickness is expected to
place the search unit on the thicker specimen, and adjust the be from 50 to 60 mm [2.0 to 2.4 in.], and the basic standard-
material standardize control to expand the thickness range. If ization block is 10 mm [0.4 in.], and the incremental thickness
the reading thickness difference is greater than the actual displayed will also be from 50 to 60 mm [2.0 to 2.4 in.], the
thickness difference, place the search unit on the thicker following steps are required. Adjust the delay control so that
specimen, and adjust the material standardize control to de- the fifth back echo of the basic standardization block, equiva-
crease the thickness range. A certain amount of over correction lent to 50 mm [2.0 in.], is aligned with the 0 reference on the
is usually recommended. Reposition the search unit sequen- A-scan display. The sixth back echo should then occur at the
tially on both blocks, and note the reading differences while right edge of the standardized sweep.
making additional appropriate corrections. When the reading 7.4.5 This standardization can be checked on a known block
thickness differential equals the actual thickness differential, of the approximate total thickness.
the material thickness range is correctly adjusted. A single 7.4.6 The reading obtained on the unknown specimen must
adjustment of the delay control should then permit correct be added to the value delayed off screen. For example, if the
readings at both the high and low end of the thickness range. reading is 4 mm [0.16 in.], the total thickness will be 54 mm
7.2.3 An alternative technique for delay line search units is [2.16 in.].
a variation of that described in 7.2.2. A series of sequential
adjustments are made, using the “delay” control to provide 8. Technical Hazards
correct readings on the thinner standardization block and the 8.1 Dual search units may also be used effectively with
“range” control to correct the readings on the thicker block. rough surface conditions. In this case, only the first returned
Moderate over-correction is sometimes useful. When both echo, such as from the bottom of a pit, is used in the
readings are “correct” the instrument is adjusted properly. measurement. Generally, a localized scanning search is made
7.3 Case III—Dual Search Units: to detect the minimum remaining wall.
7.3.1 The method described in 7.2 (Case II) is also suitable 8.2 Material Properties—The instrument should be stan-
for equipment using dual search units in the thicker ranges, dardized on a material having the same acoustic velocity and
above 3 mm [0.125 in.]. However, below those values there is attenuation as the material to be measured. Where possible,

Copyright ASTM International 4

Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05
standardization should be confirmed by direct dimensional 8.8 Readouts—A-scan displays are recommended where
measurement of the material to be examined. reflecting surfaces are rough, pitted, or corroded.
8.3 Scanning—The maximum speed of scanning should be 8.8.1 Direct-thickness readout, without an A-scan display,
stated in the procedure. Material conditions, type of equipment, presents hazards of misadjustment and misreading under cer-
and operator capabilities may require slower scanning. tain test conditions, especially thin sections, rough corroded
8.4 Geometry: surfaces, and rapidly changing thickness ranges.
8.4.1 Highest accuracy can be obtained from materials with 8.9 standardization Standards—Greater accuracy can be
parallel or concentric surfaces. In many cases, it is possible to obtained when the equipment is standardized on areas of
obtain measurements from materials with nonparallel surfaces. known thickness of the material to be measured.
However, the accuracy of the reading may be limited and the 8.10 Variations in echo signal strength may produce an error
reading obtained is generally that of the thinnest portion of the equivalent to one or more half-cycles of the RF frequency,
section being interrogated by the sound beam at a given instant. dependent on instrumentation characteristics.
8.4.2 Relatively small-diameter curves often require special 9. Procedure Requirements
techniques and equipment. When small diameters are to be 9.1 In developing the detailed procedure, the following
measured, special procedures including additional specimens items should be considered:
may be required to ensure accuracy of setup and readout. 9.1.1 Instrument manufacturer’s operating instructions.
8.5 High-temperature materials, up to about 540°C 9.1.2 Scope of materials/objects to be measured.
[1000°F], can be measured with specially designed instruments 9.1.3 Applicability, accuracy requirements.
with high-temperature compensation, search unit assemblies, 9.1.4 Definitions.
and couplants. Normalization of apparent thickness readings 9.1.5 Requirements.
for elevated temperatures is required. A rule of thumb often 9.1.5.1 Personnel.
used is as follows: The apparent thickness reading obtained 9.1.5.2 Equipment.
from steel walls having elevated temperatures is high (too 9.1.5.3 Procedure qualification.
thick) by a factor of about 1 % per 55°C [100°F]. Thus, if the 9.1.6 Procedure.
instrument was standardized on a piece of similar material at 9.1.6.1 Measurement conditions.
20°C [68°F], and if the reading was obtained with a surface 9.1.6.2 Surface preparation and couplant.
temperature of 460°C [860°F], the apparent reading should be 9.1.6.3 Standardization and allowable tolerances.

--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
reduced by 8 %. This correction is an average one for many 9.1.6.4 Scanning parameters.
types of steel. Other corrections would have to be determined 9.1.7 Report.
empirically for other materials. 9.1.7.1 Procedure used.
8.6 Instrument—Time-base linearity is required so that a 9.1.7.2 Standardization record.
change in the thickness of material will produce a correspond- 9.1.7.3 Measurement record.
ing change of indicated thickness. If a CRT is used as a
10. Report
readout, its horizontal linearity can be checked by using
Practice E 317. 10.1 Record the following information at the time of the
measurements and include it in the report:
8.7 Back Reflection Wavetrain—Direct-thickness readout
10.1.1 Examination procedure.
instruments read the thickness at the first half cycle of the
10.1.1.1 Type of instrument.
wavetrain that exceeds a set amplitude and a fixed time. If the
10.1.1.2 Standardization blocks, size and material type.
amplitude of the back reflection from the measured material is
10.1.1.3 Size, frequency, and type of search unit.
different from the amplitude of the back reflection from the
10.1.1.4 Scanning method.
standardization blocks, the thickness readout may read to a
10.1.2 Results.
different half cycle in the wavetrain, thereby producing an
10.1.2.1 Maximum and minimum thickness measurements.
error. This may be reduced by:
10.1.2.2 Location of measurements.
8.7.1 Using standardization blocks having attenuation char- 10.1.3 Personnel data, certification level.
acteristics equal to those in the measured material or adjusting
back reflection amplitude to be equal for both the standardizing 11. Keywords
blocks and measured material. 11.1 contact examination; nondestructive testing; pulse-
8.7.2 Using an instrument with automatic gain control to echo; thickness measurement; ultrasonics
produce a constant amplitude back reflection.

Copyright ASTM International 5

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. Typical Multi-Step Thickness Gage Standardization Blocks

TABLE OF DIMENSIONS
U.S. Customary Block, in. Metric Block 5A, mm Metric Block 5B, mm
Legend Dimension Tolerance Dimension Tolerance Dimension Tolerance

TABLE OF DIMENSIONS T1 0.100 0.001 2.50 0.02 2.00 0.02

U.S. Customary Block, in. Metric Block 4A, mm Metric Block 4B, mm T2 0.200 0.001 5.00 0.02 4.00 0.02
Legend Dimension Tolerance Dimension Tolerance Dimension Tolerance T3 0.300 0.001 7.50 0.02 6.00 0.02
T4 0.400 0.001 10.00 0.02 8.00 0.02
T1 0.250 0.001 6.25 0.02 5.00 0.02 T5 0.500 0.001 12.50 0.02 10.00 0.02
T2 0.500 0.001 12.50 0.02 10.00 0.02 L 0.75 0.02 20.0 0.5 20.00 0.5
T3 0.750 0.001 18.75 0.02 15.00 0.02 W 0.75 0.05 20.0 1.0 20.00 1.0
T4 1.000 0.001 25.00 0.02 20.00 0.02
L 0.75 0.02 20.0 0.5 20.0 0.5 NOTE 1—Material to be as specified.
W 0.75 0.05 20.0 1.0 20.0 1.0 NOTE 2—Surface finish: “T” faces Ra 32 µin. [0.8 µm] max. Other
surfaces Ra 63 µin. [1.6 µm] max.
NOTE 1—Material to be as specified. NOTE 3—Location for optional 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] diameter through hole
NOTE 2—Surface finish: “T” faces Ra 32 µin. [0.8 µm] max. Other used for block support during plating; center 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] from block
surfaces Ra 63 µin. [1.6 µm] max. edges.
NOTE 3—Location for optional 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] diameter through hole NOTE 4—All “T” dimensions to be after any required plating or
used for block support during plating; center 1⁄16 in. [1.5 mm] from block anodizing.
edges. NOTE 5—In order to prevent sharp edges, minimize plating buildup, or
NOTE 4—All “T” dimensions to be after any required plating or remove in-service nicks and burrs, block edges may be smoothed by
anodizing. beveling or rounding, provided that the corner treatment does not reduce
NOTE 5—In order to prevent sharp edges, minimize plating buildup, or the edge dimension by more than 0.020 in. [0.5 mm].
remove in-service nicks and burrs, block edges may be smoothed by FIG. X1.2 Typical Five-Step Thickness Standardization Blocks
beveling or rounding, provided that the corner treatment does not reduce
the edge dimension by more than 0.020 in. [0.5 mm].
FIG. X1.1 Typical Four-Step Thickness Standardization Blocks

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright ASTM International 6

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006
 E 797 – 05

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).

--`,`,````,`,,`,,,,```,```,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright ASTM International 7

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=BP Amoco/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/05/2006 03:08:39 MDT
Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Monique Tyree (ASTMIHS Account); Wed Jan 4 11:04:37 EST 2006