ISO 5577-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 5577:2017 — Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Vocabulary. This International Standard defines terms and basic definitions used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing (UT) to provide a common vocabulary for standards, practitioners and documentation. It excludes specific terminology for array/phasor techniques.

Abstract

ISO 5577:2017 provides standardized terms and definitions relating to ultrasonic testing (waves, probes, equipment, measurements, scanning modes and common inspection concepts). The vocabulary is intended to form a consistent basis for other UT standards and for general use in industry. Terms used specifically for phased‑array/array ultrasonic techniques are not covered in this edition.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (superseded by ISO 5577:2025).
• Publication date: February 2017 (published 27 January 2017; ISO edition 2, 2017‑02).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 19.100 (Non‑destructive testing); 01.040.19 (Testing — Vocabularies).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2017).
• Number of pages: 38 (ISO edition).

Scope

Defines terms and definitions used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing applicable across conventional UT methods (contact, immersion, through‑transmission, pulse‑echo, beam modes, A/B/C/sector scans, etc.). The standard is intended for use as a reference vocabulary in standards, technical documents, training and reporting. It does not cover terminology that is specific to ultrasonic array/phased‑array techniques (those terms are addressed in separate documents).

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized definitions for ultrasonic quantities and phenomena: frequency, wavelength, pulse, bandwidth, attenuation, impedance, velocity, reflection and transmission.
• Terms for sound and wave types: longitudinal (compressional) waves, shear (transverse) waves, surface waves, guided waves, mode conversion.
• Vocabulary for probes and transducers: contact probes, immersion probes, focused probes, probe calibration.
• Definitions related to test equipment and signal presentation: A‑scan, B‑scan, C‑scan, gate, gain, resolution, instrument display terms.
• Terms for scanning methods and couplants: contact, immersion, water path, wedge, scanning patterns and indexing.
• Definitions used for indication and flaw characterization: echo, indication, reflector, discontinuity, backwall, geometry effects.
• Notes on exclusions and cross‑references: does not cover array/phased‑array specific terms (separate vocabulary standards handle those).

Typical use and users

This vocabulary is used by NDT practitioners, inspection engineers, standards developers, trainers and technical authors to ensure consistent terminology in procedures, reports, manuals and standards. Typical users include inspection service companies, manufacturers with in‑house NDT, certification bodies, research laboratories and regulatory/quality assurance teams.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside ISO 5577:2017 are standards that govern UT practice and related vocabularies, for example: ISO 23243 (vocabulary for ultrasonic testing with arrays / phased‑array terms), EN/EN ISO 1330‑4 (earlier European vocabulary for ultrasonic testing, superseded in many regions by EN ISO 5577), ISO 16810 (general principles for ultrasonic testing), ISO 23279 (characterization of discontinuities in welds) and ISO 9712 (qualification and certification of NDT personnel). Calibration block specifications (e.g., ISO 7963 series) and application‑specific UT standards are also commonly used in combination with the vocabulary.

Keywords

ultrasonic testing; non‑destructive testing; vocabulary; terminology; transducer; A‑scan; B‑scan; C‑scan; pulse‑echo; contact; immersion; probe; attenuation; reflection; discontinuity; phased array (excluded).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 5577:2017 is an ISO vocabulary standard that defines terms and definitions used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing (UT), providing a common language for standards, procedures and technical communication.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers terminology for conventional ultrasonic testing methods, equipment, signals and indications. It does not include specific terms for ultrasonic array/phased‑array techniques (those are covered in separate documents).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians and engineers, standards writers, training organizations, certification bodies and QA/QC personnel use the standard to ensure consistency of terms in reports, procedures and specifications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 5577:2017 has been withdrawn and superseded by a later edition (ISO 5577:2025). Users should refer to the 2025 edition for the current vocabulary; the 2017 edition remains a historical reference.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of ISO standards for ultrasonic NDT (vocabularies, general principles and method‑specific documents). Related ISO standards include ISO 16810 (general UT principles), ISO 23243 (array UT vocabulary), ISO 23279 (weld characterization) and method/qualification standards such as ISO 9712.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are: ultrasonic testing, NDT, vocabulary, terminology, transducer, A‑scan, B‑scan, probe, pulse‑echo, immersion, contact, discontinuity, calibration.