a) Magnetic particle examination for cracks and other linear discontinuities that extend to the surface of the material

in ferromagnetic materials. ASME BPVC,

Section V, Article 7, provides guidance on performing MT examination.
b) Liquid penetrant examination for disclosing cracks, porosity, or pin holes that extend to the surface of the material and for outlining other surface
imperfections, especially in nonmagnetic materials. ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 6, provides guidance on performing PT examination.
c) RT for detecting internal imperfections such as porosity, weld slag inclusions, cracks, and thickness of components. ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 2, provides
guidance on performing RT.
d) Ultrasonic flaw detection for detecting internal and surface breaking cracks and other elongated discontinuities. ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 4, Article 5, and
Article 23, provide guidance on performing UT.
e) Alternating current flux leakage examination technique for detecting surface-breaking cracks and elongated discontinuities.
f) Eddy current examination for detecting localized metal loss, cracks, and elongated discontinuities. ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 8, provides guidance on
performing eddy current examination.
CALIBRATION BLOCKS
ASME SEC 5, ARTICLE 4
 ULTRASONIC TESTING – CAL AND DEMO BLOCKS
• T-434 CALIBRATION BLOCKS
• T-434.1.2 Material – Page 86
(a) Similar Metal Welds. The material from which the block is fabricated shall be of the same product form and material specification or
equivalent P-Number grouping as one of the materials being examined. For the purposes of this paragraph, P-Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5A through 5C, and
15A through 15F materials are considered equivalent.
(c) Transfer Correction. When the block material is not of the same product form or has not received the same heat treatment, it may be used
provided it meets all other block requirements and a transfer correction for acoustical property differences is used. Transfer correction shall
be determined by noting the difference between the signal response, using the same transducers and wedges to be used in the examination,
received from either
(1) the corresponding reference reflector (same type and dimensions) in the basic calibration block and in the component to be examined, or
(2) two search units positioned in the same orientation on the basic calibration block and component to be examined. The examination
sensitivity shall be adjusted for the difference.
• T-434.1.7 Block curvature – Page 86
• T-434.1.7.1 Materials With Diameters Greater Than 20 in. (500 mm). For examinations in materials where the examination surface diameter is
greater than 20 in. (500 mm), a block of essentially the same curvature, or alternatively, a flat basic calibration block, may be used.
• T-434.1.7.2 Materials With Diameters 20 in. (500 mm) and Less. For examinations in materials where the examination surface diameter is equal
to or less than 20 in. (500 mm), a curved block shall be used. Except where otherwise stated in this Article, a single curved basic calibration block
may be used for examinations in the range of curvature from 0.9 to 1.5 times the basic calibration block diameter. For example, an 8 in. (200
mm) diameter block may be used to calibrate for examinations on surfaces in the range of curvature from 7.2 in. to 12 in. (180 mm to 300 mm)
in diameter. The curvature range from 0.94 in. to 20 in. (24 mm to 500 mm) in diameter requires six curved blocks as shown in Figure T-434.1.7.2
for any thickness range.
• T-434.2 Non-Piping Calibration Blocks.
• T-434.2.1 Basic Calibration Block. The basic calibration block configuration and reflectors shall be as shown in Figure T-434.2.1. The block size
and reflector locations shall be adequate to perform calibrations for the beam angle(s) and distance range(s) to be used.
• T-434.2.2 Block Thickness. The block thickness (T) shall be per Figure T-434.2.1.
• T-434.3 Piping Calibration Blocks. The basic calibration block configuration and reflectors shall be as shown in Figure T-434.3-1 or the alternate provided in
Figure T-434.3-2 where curvature and/or wall thickness permits. The basic calibration block curvature shall be in accordance with T-434.1.7. Thickness, T,
shall be ±25% of the nominal thickness of the component to be examined. The block size and reflector locations shall be adequate to perform calibrations for
the beam angle(s) and distance range(s) to be used.

MANDATORY APPENDIX III

TIME OF FLIGHT DIFFRACTION (TOFD) TECHNIQUE
• III-434 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-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 ref lectors 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 Figure 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-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-434.3 Piping Calibration Block. The requirements of T-434.3 are not applicable to the TOFD technique.
 PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION – DEMONSTRATION BLOCKS
• IX-435 DEMONSTRATION BLOCKS

• IX-435.1 General. The following Article 4 paragraphs apply to demonstration blocks: T-434.1.2, T-434.1.3, T-434.1.4, T-434.1.5, T-434.1.6, and T-434.1.7.
• IX-435.2 Preparation. A demonstration block shall be prepared by welding or, provided the acoustic properties are similar, the hot isostatic process (HIP) may be used.
• IX-435.3 Thickness. The demonstration block shall be within 25% of the thickness to be examined. For welds joining two different thicknesses of material, demonstration block
thickness shall be based on the thinner of the two materials.
• IX-435.4 Weld Joint Configuration. The demonstration block’s weld joint geometry shall be representative of the production joint’s details, except when performing TOFD
examinations of equal thickness butt welds in accordance with Mandatory Appendix III.
• IX-435.5 Flaw Location. Unless specified otherwise by the referencing Code Section, the demonstration block shall contain a minimum of three actual planar flaws or three
EDM notches oriented to simulate flaws parallel to the production weld’s axis and major groove faces. The flaws shall be located at or adjacent to the block’s groove faces as
follows:
(a) one surface flaw on the side of the block representing the component O.D. surface
(b) one surface flaw on the side of the block representing the component I.D. surface
(c) one subsurface flaw When the scan plan to be utilized subdivides a weld into multiple examination zones, a minimum of one flaw per zone is required.
• IX-435.6 Flaw Size. Demonstration block flaw sizes shall be based on the demonstration block thickness and shall be no larger than that specified by the referencing Code
Section
(a) maximum acceptable flaw height for material less than 1 in. (25 mm) thick, or
(b) for material equal to or greater than 1 in. (25 mm) thick, an aspect ratio of
(1) 0.25 for surface flaws
(2) 0.25 (a/l ) or 0.50 (h/l ), as applicable, for subsurface flaws
NOTE: a/l aspect ratios are used by Sections I and VIII. h/l aspect ratios are used by Section B31.
• IX-435.7 Single I.D./O.D. Flaw Alternative. When the demonstration block can be scanned from both major surfaces during the qualification scan [e.g., joint I.D. and O.D. have
a similar detail, diameter of curvature is greater than 20 in. (500 mm), no cladding or weld overlay present, etc.], then only one surface flaw is required.
• IX-435.8 One-Sided Exams. When, due to obstructions, the weld examination can only be performed from one side of the weld axis, the demonstration block shall contain two
sets of flaws, one set on each side of the weld axis. When the demonstration block can be scanned from both sides of the weld axis during the qualification scan (e.g., similar
joint detail and no obstructions), then only one set of flaws is required.
 API 1104
• IX-435 DEMONSTRATION BLOCKS

• IX-435.1 General. The following Article 4 paragraphs apply to demonstration blocks: T-434.1.2, T-434.1.3, T-434.1.4, T-434.1.5, T-434.1.6, and T-434.1.7.
• IX-435.2 Preparation. A demonstration block shall be prepared by welding or, provided the acoustic properties are similar, the hot isostatic process (HIP) may be used.
• IX-435.3 Thickness. The demonstration block shall be within 25% of the thickness to be examined. For welds joining two different thicknesses of material, demonstration block thickness shall be based
on the thinner of the two materials.
• IX-435.4 Weld Joint Configuration. The demonstration block’s weld joint geometry shall be representative of the production joint’s details, except when performing TOFD examinations of equal
thickness butt welds in accordance with Mandatory Appendix III.
• IX-435.5 Flaw Location. Unless specified otherwise by the referencing Code Section, the demonstration block shall contain a minimum of three actual planar flaws or three EDM notches oriented to
simulate flaws parallel to the production weld’s axis and major groove faces. The flaws shall be located at or adjacent to the block’s groove faces as follows:
(a) one surface flaw on the side of the block representing the component O.D. surface
(b) one surface flaw on the side of the block representing the component I.D. surface
(c) one subsurface flaw When the scan plan to be utilized subdivides a weld into multiple examination zones, a minimum of one flaw per zone is required.
• IX-435.6 Flaw Size. Demonstration block flaw sizes shall be based on the demonstration block thickness and shall be no larger than that specified by the referencing Code Section
(a) maximum acceptable flaw height for material less than 1 in. (25 mm) thick, or
(b) for material equal to or greater than 1 in. (25 mm) thick, an aspect ratio of
(1) 0.25 for surface flaws
(2) 0.25 (a/l ) or 0.50 (h/l ), as applicable, for subsurface flaws
NOTE: a/l aspect ratios are used by Sections I and VIII. h/l aspect ratios are used by Section B31.
• IX-435.7 Single I.D./O.D. Flaw Alternative. When the demonstration block can be scanned from both major surfaces during the qualification scan [e.g., joint I.D. and O.D. have a similar detail, diameter
of curvature is greater than 20 in. (500 mm), no cladding or weld overlay present, etc.], then only one surface flaw is required.
• IX-435.8 One-Sided Exams. When, due to obstructions, the weld examination can only be performed from one side of the weld axis, the demonstration block shall contain two sets of flaws, one set on
each side of the weld axis. When the demonstration block can be scanned from both sides of the weld axis during the qualification scan (e.g., similar joint detail and no obstructions), then only one set
of flaws is required.