2013 SECTION V

MANDATORY APPENDIX III

TIME OF FLIGHT DIFFRACTION (TOFD) TECHNIQUE
III-410

SCOPE

III-430
III-431

This Mandatory Appendix describes the requirements

to be used for a Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) examination of welds.

III-420

GENERAL

WRITTEN PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS

III-422.1 Requirements. TOFD shall be performed in

accordance with a written procedure which shall, as a
minimum, contain the requirements listed in Tables
T-421 and III-422. The written procedure shall establish
a single value, or range of values, for each requirement.
III-422.2 Procedure Qualification. When procedure
qualification is specified, a change of a requirement in
Table T-421 or Table III-422 identified as an essential
variable shall require requalification of the written procedure by demonstration. A change of a requirement identified as a nonessential variable does not require
requalification of the written procedure. All changes of essential or nonessential variables from those specified
within the written procedure shall require revision of, or
an addendum to, the written procedure.

III-431.2 Data Display and Recording. The data display shall allow for the viewing of the unrectified A-scan
so as to position the start and length of a gate that determines the extent of the A-scan time-base that is recorded.
Equipment shall permit storage of all gated A-scans to a
magnetic or optical storage medium. Equipment shall provide a sectional view of the weld with a minimum of 64
gray scale levels. (Storage of just sectional images without
the underlying A-scan RF waveforms is not acceptable.)
Computer software for TOFD displays shall include algorithms to linearize cursors or the waveform time-base to
permit depth and vertical extent estimations. In addition
to storage of waveform data including amplitude and
time-base details, the equipment shall also store positional
information indicating the relative position of the waveform with respect to the adjacent waveform(s), i.e., encoded position.

Table III-422
Requirements of a TOFD Examination
Procedure
Requirement (as Applicable)
Instrument manufacturer and model
Instrument software
Directions and extent of scanning
Method for sizing flaw length
Method for sizing flaw height
Data sampling spacing (increase only)

Essential
Variable

Nonessen
tial Variable

X
X
X
X
X
X

INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS

III-431.1 Instrument. The instrument shall provide a

linear A scan presentation for both setting up scan parameters and for signal analysis. Instrument linearity shall
be such that the accuracy of indicated amplitude or time
is 5% of the actual full-scale amplitude or time. The ultrasonic pulser may provide excitation voltage by tone burst,
unipolar, or bipolar square wave. Pulse width shall be tunable to allow optimization of pulse amplitude and duration. The bandwidth of the ultrasonic receiver shall be at
least equal to that of the nominal probe frequency and
such that the 6dB bandwidth of the probe does not fall
outside of the 6dB bandwidth of the receiver. Receiver
gain control shall be available to adjust signal amplitude
in increments of 1dB or less. Pre-amplifiers may be included in the system. Analog to digital conversion of waveforms shall have sampling rates at least four times that of
the nominal frequency of the probe. When digital signal
processing is to be carried out on the raw data, this shall
be increased to eight times the nominal frequency of the
probe.

The requirements of Article 4 apply unless modified by

this Appendix.

III-422

EQUIPMENT

III-432

SEARCH UNITS

III-432.1 General. Ultrasonic probes shall conform to

the following minimum requirements:
(a) Two probes shall be used in a pitch-catch arrangement (TOFD pair).
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ARTICLE 4

III-435

(b) Each probe in the TOFD pair shall have the same
nominal frequency.
(c) The TOFD pair shall have the same element
dimensions.
(d) The pulse duration of the probe shall not exceed 2
cycles as measured to the 20dB level below the peak
response.
(e) Probes may be focused or unfocused. Unfocused
probes are recommended for detection and focused
probes are recommended for improved resolution for
sizing.
(f) Probes may be single element or phased array.
(g) The nominal frequency shall be from 2 MHz
to 15 MHz unless variables, such as production material
grain structure, require the use of other frequencies to assure adequate penetration or better resolution.

MECHANICS

Mechanical holders shall be used to ensure that probe

spacing is maintained at a fixed distance. The mechanical
holders shall also ensure that alignment to the intended
scan axis on the examination piece is maintained. Probe
motion may be achieved using motorized or manual
means and the mechanical holder for the probes shall be
equipped with a positional encoder that is synchronized
with the sampling of A-scans.

III-460
III-463

CALIBRATION
CALIBRATION

III-463.1 Calibration Block. Calibration shall be performed utilizing the calibration block shown in Figure
III-434.2.1(a) or Figure III-434.2.1(b), as applicable.

III-432.2 Cladding Search Units for Technique

One. The requirements of T-432.2 are not applicable to
the TOFD technique.

III-434

ARTICLE 4

III-463.2 Calibration. Set the TOFD probes on the

surface to be utilized for calibration and set the gain control so that the lateral wave amplitude is from 40% to 90%
of the full screen height (FSH) and the noise (grass) level is
less than 5% to 10% FSH. This is the reference sensitivity
setting. For multiple zone examinations when the lateral
wave is not displayed, or barely discernible, set the gain
control based solely on the noise (grass) level.

CALIBRATION BLOCKS

III-434.1 General.
III-434.1.1 Reflectors. Side-drilled holes shall be
used to confirm adequate sensitivity settings.
III-434.1.7 Block Curvature. Paragraph T-434.1.7
shall also apply to piping.

III-463.3 Confirmation of Sensitivity. Scan the calibration blocks SDHs with them centered between the
probes, at the reference sensitivity level set in III-463.2.
The SDH responses from the required zone shall be a minimum of 6 dB above the grain noise and shall be apparent
in the resulting digitized grayscale display.

III-434.2 Calibration Blocks. Paragraph T-434.2 shall

also apply to piping.
III-434.2.1 Basic Calibration Block. The basic calibration block configuration and reflectors shall be as
shown in Figure III-434.2.1(a). A minimum of two holes
per zone, if the weld is broken up into multiple zones, is
required. See Fig III-434.2.1(b) for a two zone example.
The block size and reflector location shall be adequate to
confirm adequate sensitivity settings for the beam angles
used.

III-463.4 Multiple Zone Examinations. When a weld

is broken up into multiple zones, repeat III-463.2 and
III-463.3 for each TOFD probe pair. In addition, the nearest SDH in the adjoining zone(s) shall be detected.
III-463.5 Width of Coverage Confirmation. Two additional scans per III-463.3 shall be made with the probes
offset to either side of the applicable zones weld
edge 1/2 in. (13 mm). If all the required holes are not detected, two additional offset scans are required with the
probes offset by the distance(s) identified above. See
Figure III-463.5 for an example.

III-434.2.2 Block Thickness. The block thickness

shall be at 10% of the nominal thickness of the piece to
be examined for thicknesses up to 4 in. (100 mm)
or 0.4 in. (10 mm) for thicknesses over 4 in. (100 mm).
Alternatively, a thicker block may be utilized provided
the reference reflector size is based on the thickness to
be examined and an adequate number of holes exist to
comply with T-434.2.1 requirements.

III-463.6 Encoder. Encoders shall be calibrated per

the manufacturers recommendations and confirmed by
moving a minimum distance of 20 in. (500 mm) and the
displayed distance being 1% of the actual distance
moved.

III-434.2.3 Block Range of Use. The requirements

of T-434.2.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.
III-434.2.4 Alternate Block. The requirements of
T-434.2.4 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.

III-464

CALIBRATION FOR PIPING

The requirements of T-464 are not applicable to the

TOFD technique.

III-434.3 Piping Calibration Block. The requirements

of T-434.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.

III-465

III-434.4 Cladding Calibration Blocks. The requirements of T-434.4 are not applicable to the TOFD
technique.

CALIBRATION FOR CLADDING

The requirements of T-465 are not applicable to the

TOFD technique.
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2013 SECTION V

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

ARTICLE 4

2013 SECTION V

Figure III-434.2.1(a)
TOFD Reference Block

T/4
3T/4

Cladding (when present)

Weld Thickness, in. (mm)

Hole Diameter, in. (mm)

3

Up to 1 (25)

/32 (2.5)
1

/8 (3)

Over 1 (25) through 2 (50)

/16 (5)

Over 2 (50) through 4 (100)

/4 (6)

Over 4 (100)

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) Holes shall be drilled and reamed 2 in. (50 mm) deep minimum, essentially parallel to the examination surface and the scanning direction.
(b) Hole Tolerance. The tolerance on diameter shall be 1/32 in. (0.8 mm). The tolerance on location through the block thickness shall be 1/8 in.
(3 mm).
(c) All holes shall be located on the same face (side) of the block and aligned at the approximate center of the face (side) unless the indication
from one reflector affects the indication from another. In these cases, the holes may be located on opposite faces (sides) of the block.
(d) When the weld is broken up into multiple zones, each zone shall have a T z /4 and T z (3/4) side drilled hole, where Tz is the zone thickness.
(e) For components 20 in. (500 mm) in diameter, calibration block diameter shall meet the requirements of T 434.1.7.2.

Fig III-434.2.1(b)
Two-Zone Reference Block Example

T1/4
T13/4
T

Upper zone
T1
T2/4
T23/4

Lower zone
T2
Cladding (when present)

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) T1 equals the thickness of the upper zone.
(b) T2 equals the thickness of the lower zone.

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ARTICLE 4

Figure III-463.5
Offset Scans
SCAN #3
PCS offset 1/2 of applicable zone
width 1/2 in. (13 mm)

applicable zone
width 1/2 in.
(13 mm)

SCAN #1
PCS centered on weld
axis

SCAN #2
PCS offset 1/2 of applicable zone
width 1/2 in. (13 mm)

III-467

ENCODER CONFIRMATION

III-471.6

The unrectified (RF waveform) A-scan signal shall be recorded. The A-scan gated region shall be set to start just
prior to the lateral wave and, as a minimum, not end until
all of the first back-wall signal with allowance for thickness and mismatch variations, is recorded. Useful data
can be obtained from mode-converted signals; therefore,
the interval from the first back-wall to the modeconverted back-wall signal shall also be included in the
data collected when required by the referencing Code.

A calibration check shall be performed at intervals not

to exceed one month or prior to first use thereafter, made
by moving the encoder along a minimum distance of 20 in.
(500 mm) and the displayed distance being 1% of the
acutal distance moved.

III-470
III-471.1

EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION COVERAGE

The volume to be scanned shall be examined with the

TOFD probe pair centered on and transverse to the weld
axis and then moving the probe pair parallel to and along
the weld axis. If offset scans are required due to the width
of the weld, repeat the initial scan with the probes offset to
one side of the weld axis and again with the offset to the
opposite side of the first offset scan.

III-471.4

III-471.8

REFLECTORS TRANSVERSE TO THE

WELD SEAM

An angle beam examination shall be performed in accordance with T-472.1.3 for reflectors transverse to the weld
axis unless the referencing Code Section specifies a TOFD
examination. In these cases, position each TOFD probe
pair essentially parallel to the weld axis and move the
probe pair along and down the weld axis. If the weld reinforcement is not ground smooth, position the probes on
the adjacent plate material as parallel to the weld axis as
possible.

OVERLAP

The minimum overlap between adjacent scans shall be

1 in. (25 mm).

III-471.5

RECORDING DATA (GATED REGION)

MULTIPLE ZONE EXAMINATION

When a weld is broken down into multiple zones, repeat

III-471.1 for each weld zone.
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2013 SECTION V

13

III-471.9

2013 SECTION V

SUPPLEMENTAL I.D. AND O.D. NEAR

SURFACE EXAMINATION

III-486

When height of flaw sizing is required, after the system

is calibrated per III-463, a free run on the calibration block
shall be performed and the depth of the back-wall reflection calculated by the system shall be within 0.04 in.
(1 mm) of the actual thickness. For multiple zone examinations where the back wall is not displayed or barely discernible, a side-drilled hole or other known depth
reference reflector in the calibration block may be used.
See Nonmandatory Appendices L and N of this Article
for additional information on flaw sizing and
interpretation.
Final interpretation shall only be made after all display
parameter adjustments (i.e., contrast, brightness, lateral
and backwall removal and SAFT processing, etc.) have
been completed.

Due to the presence of the lateral wave and back-wall

indication signals, flaws occurring in these zones may
not be detected. Therefore, the I.D. and O.D. near surfaces
within the area of interest shall be examined per Article 4.
This examination may be performed manually or mechanized; if mechanized, the data may be recorded in conjunction with the TOFD examination.

III-472

WELD JOINT DISTANCE AMPLITUDE

TECHNIQUE

The requirements of T-472 are not applicable to the

TOFD technique.

III-473

FLAW SIZING AND INTERPRETATION

CLADDING TECHNIQUE

The requirements of T-473 are not applicable to the

TOFD technique.

III-490

III-475

For each examination, the required information in

T-492 and the following information shall be recorded:
(a) probe center spacing (PCS)
(b) data sampling spacing
(c) flaw height, if specified
(d) the final display processing levels

III-492

DATA SAMPLING SPACING

A maximum sample spacing of 0.040 in. (1 mm) shall be

used between A-scans collected for thicknesses under
2 in. (50 mm) and a sample spacing of up to 0.080 in.
(2 mm) may be used for thicknesses greater than 2 in.
(50 mm).

III-493
III-485

MISSING DATA LINES

DOCUMENTATION
EXAMINATION RECORD

REPORT

A report of the examination shall be made. The report

shall include those records indicated in T-491, T-492,
and III-492. The report shall be filed and maintained in accordance with the referencing Code Section.

Missing lines in the display shall not exceed 5% of the

scan lines to be collected, and no adjacent lines shall be
missed.

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ARTICLE 4