ASTM E690-25 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E690-25 — Standard Practice for In Situ Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Nonmagnetic Heat Exchanger Tubes. This practice gives recommended procedures for performing in‑service, probe‑type eddy current examinations of nonmagnetic tubing installed in heat exchangers to detect and evaluate tube‑wall discontinuities and degradation mechanisms during maintenance inspections or baseline assessments.

Abstract

ASTM E690-25 describes methods, apparatus considerations, and procedural guidance for in situ eddy current (electromagnetic) examination of nonmagnetic heat exchanger tubes using internal probe‑type coil assemblies. The standard explains typical signal sources and nonrelevant indications, highlights limitations such as end effects, and clarifies that acceptance criteria are not prescribed by the practice but must be supplied by the using parties. It is intended for scheduled maintenance inspections, manufacturer baseline checks, and condition assessments aimed at preventing in‑service tube failures.

General information

• Status: Active (current practice).
• Publication date: 2025-08-25 (document active/updated as of August 25, 2025).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 27.060.30 — Boilers and heat exchangers; Nondestructive testing (NDT), electromagnetic testing category.
• Edition / version: ASTM E690-25 (2025 edition).
• Number of pages: 4–6 pages (published text is a short practice; typical published length is 5 pages).

Scope

This practice covers procedures for eddy current examination using internal, probe‑type coil assemblies of nonmagnetic tubing installed in heat exchangers. It addresses the special problems of inspecting installed tubing (access, supports, fouling, finned sections) and the common forms of tube‑wall deterioration encountered in service. The practice is aimed at scheduled maintenance inspections, baseline installation checks, and assessments to detect and evaluate tube integrity degradation that could lead to in‑service failures. The practice does not set acceptance criteria or replace the need for appropriate safety/health measures; acceptance levels must be specified by the using parties.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles of eddy current (electromagnetic) testing for tubular products and in‑situ probe use.
• Recommended apparatus capabilities (probe types, frequency selection, instrumentation sensitivity) and calibration requirements.
• Procedural steps for probe insertion, scanning, signal acquisition and baseline establishment on installed tubes.
• Recognition and interpretation of relevant versus nonrelevant indications (e.g., lands, dents, scratches, tool chatter, tube supports, rolling marks).
• Limitations of the method (reduced sensitivity to deep‑seated defects with internal probes; end effects near tube sheets; masking by nonrelevant signals).
• Requirements that acceptance criteria, reporting format, and remedial actions be defined by using parties or contractual agreement.
• Safety and preparatory considerations (cleaning/fluids removal, mechanical access, personnel qualification in accordance with applicable NDT practice guidance).

Typical use and users

Used primarily by nondestructive testing (NDT) technicians and inspection service providers, plant maintenance and reliability engineers, heat‑exchanger manufacturers and fabricators, asset managers, and regulatory or third‑party inspectors. Typical applications include scheduled maintenance inspections of shell‑and‑tube heat exchangers, baseline condition surveys after installation, root‑cause investigations of suspected tube leaks, and asset integrity programs in power plants, petrochemical/refining, HVAC and industrial process facilities.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other NDT and tube‑inspection standards and codes, for example ASTM E243 (eddy current examination of copper and copper‑alloy tubes), ASTM E2096 (in situ examination of ferromagnetic heat‑exchanger tubes / remote field testing), ASTM E1316 (terminology for nondestructive examinations), ASTM E543 (agencies performing nondestructive testing), and relevant sections of ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Section V) and applicable ISO guidance for eddy current testing and NDT personnel qualifications.

Keywords

eddy current; electromagnetic testing; in situ examination; heat exchanger tubes; nondestructive testing; NDT; probe inspection; tube integrity; tube assessment; end effects; calibration; inspection procedure.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E690-25 is a short ASTM practice that provides procedural guidance for performing in‑situ eddy current (electromagnetic) examinations of nonmagnetic heat exchanger tubes using internal probe‑type coils.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers recommended procedures, equipment considerations, signal interpretation guidance, limitations (such as end effects and nonrelevant indications), and the intended uses (scheduled maintenance, baseline checks). It does not prescribe acceptance criteria or substitute for safety requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians and service providers, plant maintenance/reliability engineers, heat exchanger manufacturers, asset owners/operators, and inspectors involved in tube inspection and integrity management use this practice.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is the 2025 edition and is published as the active practice (ASTM E690-25); users should confirm they reference the active edition when preparing inspection procedures.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ASTM Committee E07 (Nondestructive Testing) practices and is commonly used together with other electromagnetic/eddy current and NDT standards (for example E243, E2096, E1316, E543) and with code requirements such as ASME Section V where applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Eddy current, electromagnetic testing, in situ, heat exchanger tubes, nondestructive testing, probe inspection, tube integrity.