Ultrasonic calibration and certification of V1 and V2 type reference standard blocks for use in Non-Destructive Testing

Abstract

Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (US-NDT) has many industrial applications, such as flaws detection, welding integrity evaluation and solid material thickness measurement. To evaluate the instrumentation conditions, before a measurement begins, a "calibration" should be carried out with the aid of a reference standard block (RSB). Types V1 (ISO 2400) and V2 (ISO 7963) are the most widely used in US-NDT. Due their characteristics, V1 and V2 RSB can be classified as Reference Material, so that they can be certified, resulting in a Certified Reference Material (CRM). This paper describes technical aspects of a V1 and V2 RSB certification, based on ISO 2400, ISO 7963, EN 12223 and EN 27963. According the certification protocol established at Inmetro's Laboratory of Ultrasound, RSB relevant dimensions were determined through calibration. Ultrasound velocity was assessed by using a scope and a signal generator at 5 MHz. Uncertainties were determined including measurement accuracy under repeatability conditions. A complete uncertainty budget was determined for both parameters. Within the specimens used, velocities were in accordance with specifications 5920 ± 30 m/s.