AC7102/8 REV.

NA

AUDIT CRITERIA

Issued 2014-01
Revised: 2014-05

161Thorn Hill Road

Warrendale, PA 15086-7527

Superseding NA

TO BE USED ON AUDITS STARTING ON OR AFTER 11-May-14

Nadcap
AUDIT CRITERIA FOR HEAT TREATING
PYROMETRY
Editorial Revision: 14-May-14 para 5.3, 5.4, 6.7.1.q,

1.

SCOPE

1.1

This checklist supplements AC7102. The checklist shall apply to Suppliers seeking
Nadcap accreditation for Heat Treating.

2.

PYROMETRY

2.1

General Requirements

2.1.1

Does the supplier have an internal procedure, or procedures for Pyrometry addressing
all the aspects of AMS 2750E and other customer specifications applicable to their
operations?

YES

NO

2.1.2

Do all the test equipment and test thermocouples have current certifications traceable
to National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST, or other equivalent national
certification agency?

YES

NO

2.1.3

Is there a system in place to review Pyrometry procedures and the results of tests
(whether performed in-house or by an outside source) to ensure that AMS 2750E, or
more stringent customer requirements are being met?

YES

NO

2.1.4

Are there objective evidences of these reviews?

YES

NO

3.

Thermocouples

3.1

Do the thermocouples and thermocouple wires meet the calibration frequency,

temperature intervals and accuracy requirements of AMS 2750E, or more stringent
customer requirements? (U10)

YES

NO

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3.2

Are the thermocouples being calibrated throughout the range in which they are to
be used?

YES

NO

3.3

Are the actual calibration values and errors or correction factors reported on the
certification?

YES

NO

3.4

Are procedures in place to ensure that base metal thermocouples are only
recalibrated when allowed by AMS 2750E?

YES

NO

3.5

Are procedures in place to ensure that thermocouples are only reused when
allowed by AMS 2750E?

YES

NO

3.6

Does the supplier comply with the re-calibration (or replacement) requirements for
nonexpendable thermocouples, including Type K and E, when used exclusively at
or below 500F?

YES

NO

NA

3.7

Does the supplier comply with the re-use and depth of insertion requirements for
any Type K and E thermocouples when used above 500F?

YES

NO

NA

3.8

Does the supplier comply with the U formula (except as allowed per AMS 2750E,
3.1.3.4 for TUS) when expendable test thermocouples are used for SAT and TUS
testing? (U11)

YES

NO

NA

3.9

Does the supplier comply with AMS 2750E, paragraphs 3.1.5.2 and 3.1.5.3, or
more stringent customer requirements for the life usage of expendable and
nonexpendable base metal load thermocouples?

YES

NO

3.10

Does the internal procedure specify when the correction factors are to be used?

YES

NO

3.11

Is the application of correction factors documented in clear and unambiguous

terms?

YES

NO

3.12

Does the supplier determine a replacement frequency of sensors based on

supporting data (SAT, TUS, recalibration data, etc.)?

YES

NO

3.12.1

Is there an internal procedure addressing this requirement?

YES

NO

3.13

Thermocouples Made from Rolls of Thermocouple Wire

3.13.1

Are all rolls of thermocouple wire calibrated at both ends and the correction factor
determined to be the average of the two values at any calibration temperature?

YES

NO

3.13.2

Are procedures in place to ensure that the thermocouples made from rolls of
thermocouple wire are not used when the difference in end to end (front to back)
correction factors at any test temperature exceed AMS 2750E or more stringent
customer requirements (1F or 0.6C for primary and secondary standards; 2F or
1.1C for all other uses including TUS)?

YES

NO

3.13.3

Do records indicate compliance?

YES

NO

4.

Instrumentation

4.1

Testing Instrumentation

4.1.1

Do all test instruments have a digital display and output, and meet the readability,

YES

NO

NA

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calibration frequency and the accuracy requirements of Table 3 of AMS 2750E, or

more stringent customer requirements?
4.1.2

Does the calibration of Primary, Secondary Standard and Field Test Instruments
meet the requirements of AMS 2750E or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.2

Process Instrument Calibration

4.2.1

Are the calibration accuracy and frequencies in accordance with the requirements
of AMS 2750E Table 3, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.2.2

Are the calibrations performed on each furnace instrument that qualifies the furnace
for the particular instrument type? (U11)

YES

NO

4.2.3

Are the instruments checked for sensitivity during calibration to meet AMS 2750E
Table 3, Footnote (4), or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.2.4

Do the instrument calibration records and stickers show conformance to the

requirements of AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.3

Process Recorders including Electronic Data Collection

4.3.1

Does the Process recording system meet the resolution requirements of AMS
2750E Table 4, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.3.2

Do recorder printing and chart speeds meet the requirements of AMS 2750E Table
5, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

4.3.3

Are the chart (circular and/or strip) recorders speed(s) verified annually as a
minimum?

YES

NO

NA

4.3.4

Are the chart (circular and/or strip) recorders speed(s) accurate within 3 minutes
per hour?

YES

NO

NA

4.4

Furnace Classes and Instrumentation Types

4.4.1

Do the testing frequencies and tolerances meet the requirements of AMS 2750E for
the applicable Furnace Class and Instrumentation Type? (See Figure 2 and Tables
6, 7, 8, and 9)

YES

NO

4.4.2

Are the furnaces instrumented for the Instrumentation Type identified by the
supplier? (See Figure 3)

YES

NO

4.4.3

Are refrigeration and quenching systems properly instrumented to meet AMS

2750E, paragraph 3.3.3, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

5.

System Accuracy Test (SAT)

5.1

General

5.1.1

Does the internal SAT procedure conform to the requirements of AMS 2750E, or
more stringent customer requirements for the specific method used by the supplier?
(U14)

YES

NO

5.2

System Accuracy Test (SAT) Waiver (Note: Not all customer Primes allow the
waiver).

5.2.1

If the SAT Waiver is utilized, do the procedures and practices meet all of the

NA

NA

YES

NO

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requirements of AMS 2750E section 3.4.7?

5.3

System Accuracy Test (SAT) Practice

NA

5.3.1

Are the SATs performed on the temperature control and recording systems
required by the applicable instrumentation type, as well as any additional recording
systems used for product acceptance in each control zone of each piece of thermal
processing equipment used for production heat treatments?

YES

NO

5.3.2

Are the SATs performed upon installation and periodically thereafter in accordance
with the requirements of AMS 2750E, Tables 6 or 7, or more stringent customer
requirements, including any applicable frequency reductions? (The SATs
frequencies are based upon equipment class and instrumentation type).

YES

NO

5.3.3

Is a SAT performed after any maintenance that could affect the SAT result?
(Examples include replacement of the thermocouple(s) and re-calibration of the
instrument that resulted in an adjustment to the instrument).

YES

NO

5.4

System Accuracy Test (SAT) Methods

5.4.1

Are the displayed temperature indication and recording of the sensor being tested,
with appropriate offsets or correction factors, at any operating temperature,
compared with the corrected temperature indication of the test sensor on a test
instrument?

5.4.2

Do records indicate that:

NA
YES

NO

a.

The thermocouple correction factors are stated unambiguously and used

correctly?

YES

NO

b.

The furnace identification, the set point, test thermocouple measurement,

furnace thermocouple indication, and the difference after correction factors
are applied, including all other information required by AMS 2750E
paragraph 3.4.8.1 or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

c.

Any required corrective actions are documented and the furnace re-tested
after any required adjustments?

YES

NO

d.

Any frequency reductions are adequately documented and justified? (U11)

YES

NO

e.

Do SAT results meet the requirements of all applicable specifications?

YES

NO

5.4.3

If the alternate SAT method specified in AMS 2750E, paragraph 3.4.6 is utilized, is it
documented and does it meet specification requirements? (Note: Not all customer
Primes allow the alternate method).

YES

NO

5.5

System Accuracy Test (SAT) Resident Test Thermocouple

5.5.1

Is there an internal procedure documenting the use of resident test thermocouples,

including periodic verification of their position?

YES

NO

5.5.2

Are the furnace (or load) thermocouple and the resident SAT thermocouple two
different thermocouple types? (It is not allowed to use Type R thermocouple as a
resident SAT thermocouple against Type S control thermocouple, or vice versa, due
to similarity of both thermocouples metal chemistry).

YES

NO

5.5.3

Are resident SAT thermocouples only Type B, N, R or S when used at temperatures

YES

NO

NA

NA

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exceeding 500F (260C), and nonexpendable if exposed to temperatures above

1000F (538C)?
5.5.4

Are resident SAT thermocouples subject to the replacement or recalibration

frequency specified in AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

6.

Temperature Uniformity Survey (TUS)

6.1

General

6.1.1

Does the internal TUS procedure conform to the requirements of AMS 2750E, or
more stringent customer requirements for the specific method used by the supplier?

YES

NO

6.1.2

Are initial TUSs performed prior to production or after any furnace modification or
adjustment, that could have altered the temperature uniformity characteristics?
(Examples are noted in AMS 2750E, paragraph 3.5.3)

YES

NO

6.1.3

Do procedures and documentation exist to demonstrate that test frequencies and

test temperatures meet AMS 2750E paragraph 3.5.5, 3.5.6, 3.5.7 and Table 8 or 9,
or more stringent customer requirements, on both periodic and annual basis?

YES

NO

6.1.4

Are all furnace modifications and repairs documented in a log with the appropriate
QA documentation as to whether an initial TUS is required?

YES

NO

6.2

Load Condition (for TUS)

6.2.1

Is the load condition for the performance of the initial TUS on each furnace
documented?

YES

NO

6.2.2

Is each successive TUS performed with the same type of load condition as the
initial one?

YES

NO

6.2.3

If heats sinks are used, do they meet the requirements of AMS 2750E paragraph
3.5.10.1 for placement and thickness?

YES

NO

6.2.4

Do operating parameters during the TUS reflect the normal operating parameters
for the particular furnace, including the atmosphere, except as allowed by AMS
2750E paragraph 3.5.11?

YES

NO

6.2.5

Does the supplier have a detailed diagram of the test sensors location during the
TUS?

YES

NO

6.2.6

Is the number and placement of thermocouples used for the TUS as required per
AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer requirements?

YES

NO

6.3

Initial TUS

6.3.1

Do the initial test temperatures include the highest and lowest temperatures for
which the equipment will be used for each qualified operating range?

YES

NO

6.3.2

If the highest and lowest test temperatures are more than 600F (or 335C) apart,
are additional tests performed at one or more intermediate test temperatures so that
test temperatures are not more than 600F (or 335C) apart? (U11)

YES

NO

6.4

Periodic TUS

6.4.1

For any operating range greater than 600F (335C), are periodic tests performed at
a temperature(s) within 300F (170C) of the maximum and 300F (170C) of the

YES

NO

NA

NA

NA

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minimum of each qualified operating range and there are no more than 600F
(335C) increments between adjacent test temperatures, for each range as defined
during the initial survey? (U11)
6.4.2

Does the supplier, at least once each calendar year, perform a temperature
uniformity survey at the minimum and maximum temperature of each qualified
operating range?

YES

NO

6.4.3

Are the TUSs performed at the frequencies required by AMS 2750E Tables 8 or 9,
or more stringent customer requirements? (U11)

YES

NO

6.5

Temperature Uniformity Test Methods

6.5.1

Does the TUS recorder or data logger output the TUS data in a digital format?

YES

NO

6.5.2

Are readings taken:

a.

Before the first test or furnace sensor reaches the lower tolerance of the test
range?

YES

NO

b.

Frequently enough (maximum 2 minutes) to detect any overshooting of the

test range?

YES

NO

6.5.3

After the temperatures have stabilized, are the test readings taken at 2 minute
intervals maximum for a minimum of 30 minutes?

YES

NO

6.5.4

Are temperatures indicated by all furnace thermocouples recorded and included as

part of the TUS record? (U11 & U13)

YES

NO

6.5.5

Is the actual uniformity of the furnace calculated and compared to the furnace
uniformity requirement?

YES

NO

6.5.6

If the TUS records indicate failure of test thermocouple(s), are the failure(s) within
acceptable limits allowed by AMS 2750E paragraph 3.5.16, or more stringent
customer requirements?

YES

NO

6.5.7

Do the TUS results meet the requirements of all applicable specifications for each
individual piece of equipment surveyed during the audit?

YES

NO

6.6

Offsetting

NA

NA

Note: Offsetting may be applied either by internal electronic adjustment or by

manual offset of the set point as long as the method is clearly documented and
followed, and complies with the specific customer requirements.
6.6.1

Is there a procedure that specifies the use of offsets?

YES

NO

6.6.2

Is the procedure in accordance with AMS 2750E, or more stringent customer

requirements?

YES

NO

6.6.3

Do records indicate that the procedure is followed?

YES

NO

6.6.4

Are manual offset tables clearly posted and visible to the operator?

YES

NO

NA

6.6.5

Are electronic offsets documented and available to calibration technicians?

YES

NO

NA

6.6.6

Does documentation exist to verify that the offsets were applied?

YES

NO

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6.6.7

Does the procedure address how to account for and reintroduce any intentional
offsets?

6.7

Temperature Uniformity Survey Documentation

6.7.1

Does the documentation of the performed TUS includes as a minimum:

-7-

YES

NO

a.

Furnace identification name or number?

YES

NO

b.

Survey temperatures?

YES

NO

c.

TUS sensor and location identification including a detailed diagram,

description or photograph(s) of any load or rack used?

YES

NO

d.

Time and temperature data from all recorded sensors required for furnace
instrumentation type for all zones tested (Reference AMS 2750 Rev. E section
3.5.13.3.2)?

YES

NO

e.

Correction factors for TUS sensors at each survey temperature?

YES

NO

f.

As found and as left TUS offsets (if used in production)?

YES

NO

g.

Corrected or uncorrected readings of all TUS sensors at each survey

temperature?
(Readings shall be identified as corrected or uncorrected).

YES

NO

h.

Testing company identification (if not performed in-house)?

YES

NO

NA

i.

Signature for the testing company (if not performed in-house)?

YES

NO

NA

j.

Identification of technician performing the survey?

YES

NO

k.

Survey start date and time?

YES

NO

l.

Survey end date and time?

YES

NO

m.

Survey test instrument identification number?

YES

NO

n.

Indications of the test pass or fail?

YES

NO

o.

When required, documentation of furnace survey sensor failures (see 3.5.16)?

YES

NO

p.

Summary of corrected plus and minus TUS readings at each test temperature
after stabilization?

YES

NO

q.

Quality Organization approval

YES

NO

6.7.2

Are test instrument correction factors for each channel at each survey temperature
used?

YES

NO

6.7.3

Are control and/or monitoring sensor readings and corrected TUS sensor readings
within the applicable positive temperature tolerance at any time?

YES

NO

6.7.4

Are all readings of all TUS sensors and control or monitoring sensors within the
temperature tolerance requirements during the soak period except as allowed by
AMS2750E para 3.5.16?

YES

NO

NA

NA

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7.

Laboratory Furnace

NA

7.1

Are the laboratory furnaces, used for response to heat treating testing per material
specifications (when a load sensor is used) tested to the requirements of AMS
2750E paragraph 3.6?

YES

NO

7.2

Are laboratory furnaces, used for response to heat treating testing per material
specifications (when a load sensor is not used) tested as required for the production
equipment?

YES

NO

8.

Quality Assurance Provisions

8.1

Does the internal procedure require that, if any instrument/sensor/test fails to meet
test requirements, or that has exceeded its test interval including any applicable
permissible extension period (See AMS 2750E Table 10, or more stringent
customer requirements), that the applicable equipment is taken out of service?

YES

NO

8.2

Is the corrective action documented including the actions taken to bring the
instrument/sensor/test into compliance?

YES

NO

8.3

Does the internal procedure require that, in the event of any test failure or out-oftolerance condition, an evaluation of the possible effects of the non-conformance on
product processed since the last successful corresponding test is performed and
documented per established material review procedures?

YES

NO

8.4

Does the internal procedure require that if the TUS results show a deviation of more
than the maximum allowed by specification, the cause of the difference is
determined, corrected, and the equipment is re-tested before additional thermal
processing in that equipment is performed, or corrected using an offset when
allowed?

YES

NO

8.5

Does the internal procedure require that the supplier document the evaluation of the
TUS failure and determine if parts processed were affected by any out of tolerance
condition?

YES

NO

8.6

If potential product impact is discovered by a test or TUS failure, are the appropriate
corrective actions taken, documented and maintained on file?

YES

NO

NA