ASTM E114-20 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E114-20 — Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse‑Echo Straight‑Beam Contact Testing. This practice describes the use of normal‑incident (straight‑beam) longitudinal ultrasonic pulse‑echo contact techniques for volumetric examination of materials to detect and evaluate internal discontinuities and material condition.

Abstract

This standard provides procedures, calibration guidance, and general acceptance‑level recommendations for straight‑beam pulse‑echo ultrasonic contact testing. It covers instrumentation considerations, reference standards and blocks, transducer selection, couplant use, signal interpretation, and personnel qualification recommendations to support consistent volumetric inspections of metallic and relevant non‑metallic components. The practice is intended as a basis for developing application‑specific procedures and contractual requirements between purchasers and suppliers.

General information

• Status: Published / Active.
• Publication date: Current edition approved December 1, 2020; published January 2021 (E114‑20).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: Non‑destructive testing — ultrasonic testing (ICS code often cited as 19.100).
• Edition / version: E114‑20 (2020 edition).
• Number of pages: Approximately 5 pages (brief practice).

Scope

ASTM E114‑20 applies to contact, straight‑beam, longitudinal‑wave pulse‑echo ultrasonic examinations intended for volumetric inspection of materials. The practice gives general methods for detecting and evaluating internal discontinuities (for example cracks, porosity, inclusions, laminations) and for estimating apparent discontinuity size by amplitude comparison with reference standards. It is not an exhaustive, application‑specific procedure; rather it establishes the baseline practices, calibration principles, and contractual items to be specified for particular inspection situations and materials.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles of straight‑beam pulse‑echo examination (normal incidence, longitudinal waves) and typical flaw responses.
• Calibration practices using reference blocks and known‑response standards for amplitude and time‑of‑flight measurements.
• Selection and coupling of transducers (frequency, diameter) and appropriate couplants for contact testing.
• Instrument settings, signal presentation, interpretation of echoes, and methods for estimating apparent discontinuity size by comparison with standards.
• Personnel qualification and certification recommendations — users are advised to specify nationally recognized qualification schemes (for example ASNT, ISO 9712) or contractual requirements.
• Limitations of the technique (surface condition requirements, attenuation in high‑loss materials, geometric constraints) and the need for procedure qualification where required.

Typical use and users

Used by nondestructive testing (NDT) technicians and engineers, inspection agencies, weld and fabrication inspectors, quality assurance personnel, manufacturers of metallic components (welds, castings, forgings, extrusions), and purchasers specifying volumetric inspection requirements. The practice is a common reference when writing site‑ or product‑specific ultrasonic procedures and for contractually defining inspection acceptance criteria.

Related standards

Commonly referenced documents and related standards include ASTM E317 (practice for evaluating performance characteristics of ultrasonic pulse‑echo instruments and systems), ASTM E543 (specification for agencies performing nondestructive testing), national qualification practices such as ASNT SNT‑TC‑1A and NAS‑410, and international qualification schemes like ISO 9712. E114 is maintained under ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is one of a suite of ultrasonic‑method practices.

Keywords

Ultrasonic testing; pulse‑echo; straight‑beam; contact testing; nondestructive testing (NDT); longitudinal wave; transducer; couplant; calibration; reference block; flaw detection; amplitude comparison.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E114‑20 is the 2020 edition of the Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse‑Echo Straight‑Beam Contact Testing, providing baseline procedures and guidance for straight‑beam ultrasonic contact examinations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers technique description, calibration with reference standards, transducer and couplant guidance, signal interpretation and apparent size estimation, documentation considerations, and recommendations on personnel qualification and agency capability. It is intended as a general practice to be adapted into application‑specific procedures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians and engineers, inspection agencies, fabricators, weld inspectors, quality managers, and procurement/specification authors who need a recognized baseline for straight‑beam ultrasonic volumetric inspection.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: E114‑20 is the active/current edition (approved December 1, 2020 and published January 2021), superseding E114‑15. As of February 21, 2026 the E114‑20 edition remains the published edition; a revision work item (WK95363) indicating a future revision activity was recorded in ASTM workflow in 2025. Users should confirm the very latest status before citing the standard in contracts.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee E07's body of practice on ultrasonic and other NDT methods and typically used alongside related ASTM practices and specifications (for instrument/system evaluation, agency qualification, and complementary ultrasonic methods).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ultrasonic testing, pulse‑echo, straight‑beam, contact testing, nondestructive testing, longitudinal wave, transducer, couplant, calibration, reference block.