FE101346 ISSN 0335-3931

European standard NF EN 10246-3

August 2000

French standard Classification index: A 49-875-3

ICS: 77.040.20; 77.140.75

Non-destructive testing of steel tubes

Part 3: Automatic eddy current testing of seamless and welded
(except submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection
of imperfections

F : Essais non destructifs des tubes en acier —Partie 3 : Contrôle automatique

par courants de Foucault pour la détection des imperfections des tubes en acier
sans soudure et soudés (sauf à l'arc immergé sous flux en poudre)
D : Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Stahlrohren — Teil 3: Automatische
Wirbelstromprüfung nahtloser und geschweißter (ausgenommen
unterpulvergeschweißter) Stahlrohre zum Nachweis von Fehlern
© AFNOR 2000 — All rights reserved

French standard approved

by decision of the Director General of AFNOR on July 5, 2000 taking effect on
August 5, 2000.
Replaces the approved standard NF A 49-892, dated October 1987, and with
standards NF EN 10246-1, dated August 1996 and NF EN 10246-2, dated
August 2000, replaces the approved standard NF A 49-872, dated November 1987.

Correspondence The European Standard EN 10246-3:1999 has the status of French standard.

Analysis This document specifies requirements for the automatic testing of seamless and
welded (with the exception of submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection of
imperfections.

Descriptors Technical International Thesaurus: metal tubes, steel tubes, welded tubes, seam-
less tubes, nondestructive tests, eddy current tests, inspection, detection, defects,
quality control, setting-up conditions, calibration, acceptability.

Modifications This document defines 4 gravity levels based on notch depth increase, with respect
to standard NF A 49-892.
This document only covers the detection of imperfections with respect to standard
NF A 49-872.

Corrections

Published and distributed by Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR — French standard institute) — 11, avenue Francis de Pressensé —
93571 Saint-Denis La Plaine Cedex — Tel.: + 33 (0)1 41 62 80 00 — Fax: + 33 (0)1 49 17 90 00 — www.afnor.fr

© AFNOR 2000 AFNOR 2000 1st issue 2000-08-P

NF EN 10246-3:2000 —2—

National foreword

References to French standards

The correspondence between the standards figuring in the clause "Normative references" and the identical French
standards is as follows:
EN 20286-2 : NF EN 20286-2 (classification index: E 02-100-2)
ENV 10220 : A 49-005

The other standard mentioned in the clause "Normative references" that does not have any correspondence in the
collection of French standards is as follows (it may be obtained from AFNOR):
ISO 235
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 10246-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 1999

ICS 23.040.10; 77.040.20

English version

Non-destructive testing of steel tubes - Part 3: Automatic eddy

current testing of seamless and welded (except submerged arc-
welded) steel tubes for the detection of imperfections

Essais non destructifs des tubes en acier - Partie 3: Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Stahlrohren - Teil 3:
Contrôle automatique par courants de Foucault pour la Automatische Wirbelstromprüfung nahtloser und
détection des imperfections des tubes en acier sans geschweißter (ausgenommen unterpulvergeschweißter)
soudure et soudés (sauf à l'arc immergé sous flux en Stahlrohre zum Nachweis von Fehlern
poudre)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 6 October 1999.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 1999 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 10246-3:1999 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Page 2
EN 10246-3:1999

CONTENTS

Page

Foreword............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope.........................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ..............................................................................................................................4
3 General requirements ..............................................................................................................................4
4 Method of test...........................................................................................................................................4
5 Reference standards ................................................................................................................................7
6 Equipment calibration and checking ...................................................................................................10
7 Acceptance .............................................................................................................................................11
8 Test reporting .........................................................................................................................................12
ANNEX A (informative) Table of parts of EN 10246 - Non-destructive testing of steel tubes ..................13
ANNEX B (informative) Guidelines notes on limitations associated with the eddy current test method14
 Page 3
EN 10246-3:1999

Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee ECISS/TC 29 "Steel tubes
and fittings for steel tubes", the secretariat of which is held by UNI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2000, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by May 2000.

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association. This European Standard is considered to
be a supporting standard to those application and product standards which in themselves support
an essential safety requirement of a New Approach Directive and which make reference to this
European Standard.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Page 4
EN 10246-3:1999

1 Scope
This Part of EN 10246 specifies the requirements for automatic eddy current testing of
seamless and welded tubes with the exception of submerged arc-welded (SAW) tubes for
the detection of imperfections. The standard specifies acceptance levels, calibration
procedures and gives guidance on the limitations of the tests.

This Part of EN 10246 is applicable to the inspection of tubes with an outside diameter
equal to or greater than 4 mm.

European Standard EN 10246 "Non-destructive testing of steel tubes" comprises the Parts
shown in Annex A.

2 Normative references
This Part of EN 10246 incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text
and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments
to or revisions of any of those publications apply to this Part of EN 10246 only when
incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of
the publication referred to applies.

EN 20286-2 ISO system of limits and fits - Part 2: Tables of standard tolerance
grades and limit deviations for holes and shafts (ISO 286-2:1988)

ENV 10220 Seamless and welded steel tubes - Dimensions and masses per unit
length

ISO 235 Parallel shank jobber and stub series drills and Morse taper shank
drills

3 General requirements
3.1 The eddy current inspection covered by this Part of EN 10246 is usually carried out
on tubes after completion of all the primary production process operations.

3.2 The tubes to be tested shall be sufficiently straight and free from foreign matter as
to ensure the validity of the test.

4 Method of test
4.1 The tubes shall be tested by the eddy current test method for the detection of
imperfections using one of the following techniques, as appropriate:

a) Concentric coil technique - full peripheral (see figure 1);

b) Rotating tube/pancake coil technique - full peripheral (see figure 2) ;
c) Segment coil technique - weld only (see figure 3).
 Page 5
EN 10246-3:1999

It is recognised that there may be a short length at both tube ends which cannot be tested.
Any untested ends shall be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the
appropriate product standards.

NOTE: For the guidelines of limitations of the eddy current test method, see
Annex B.

4.2 When testing tubes using the concentric coil technique, the maximum outside
diameter of the tube to be tested is restricted to 177,8 mm.

The relative speed during testing shall not vary by more than
10%.

NOTE 1: It is emphasized that the test sensitivity is at a maximum at the tube

surface adjacent to the test coil and decrease with increasing
thickness (see Annex B).

NOTE 2: Square and rectangular tubes, used for structural purposes, with a
maximum dimensions across the diagonal of 177,8 mm may also
be tested using this technique.

4.3 When testing using the rotating tube/pancake coil technique, the tube and the
pancake coil(s) shall be moved relative to each other so that the whole of the tube surface
is scanned. There is no restriction on the maximum outside tube diameter using this
technique.

The relative speed during testing shall not vary by more than
10%.

NOTE : It is emphasised that only external surface breaking imperfections

can be detected using this technique.

4.4 When testing the weld of welded tubes using the segment coil technique, the test
coil shall be maintained in proper alignment with the weld, such as that the whole of the
weld is scanned. There is no restriction on the maximum outside tube diameter using this
technique.

The relative speed during testing shall not vary by more than
10 %.

NOTE : It is emphasized that the test sensitivity is at a maximum at the tube

surface adjacent to the test coil and decreases with increasing
thickness (see Annex B).

4.5 The equipment shall be capable of classifying tubes as either acceptable or suspect
tubes by means of an automatic trigger/alarm level combined with a marking and/or
sorting system.
Page 6
EN 10246-3:1999

1= secondary coil 1 2= primary coil 3= secondary coil 2 4= tube

NOTE: The above diagram is a simplified form of a multi-coil arrangement

which may contain, for example, split primary coils, twin differential
coils, a calibrator coil.

Figure 1: Simplified diagram of the concentric coil technique

(a) Rotating pancake coil technique (b) Rotating tube technique

(linear tube movement through the rotating (linear pancake coil traverses along the
pancake coil assembly) tube length or fixed coils during helical
movement of tube)
1= pancake coil rotation; 2= pancake coil; 3= tube
4= tube rotation 5= fixed pancake coil; 6=turning rolls
Note: The pancake coils in a) and b) may have different forms, e.g. single-coils, multiple
coils of different configurations, depending on the equipment used and other
factors.
Figure 2: Simplified diagram of the rotating tube/pancake coil technique (helical
scan)
 Page 7
EN 10246-3:1999

1= weld seam 2= secondary 1 3= primary

4= secondary 2 5= tube 6= coil
NOTE: The segment coil arrangement in the above diagram may take many forms depending, for
example, on the equipment used and the product to be inspected.

Figure 3: Simplified diagram of segment coil testing method of the weld seam

5 Reference standards

5.1 General
5.1.1 The reference standards defined in this Part of EN 10246 are convenient standards
for calibration of non-destructive testing equipment. The dimensions of these standards
should not be construed as the minimum size of imperfections detectable by such
equipment.

5.1.2 The testing equipment shall be calibrated using a reference standard introduced
into a tubular test piece. The test piece shall be of the same specified diameter, thickness
and surface finish as the tube to be tested and shall have similar electromagnetic
properties.

NOTE: In special cases, for example testing hot tubes or using equipment
contained within a continuous tube mill, a modified calibration or
calibration checking procedure can be used, by agreement.

5.1.3 The reference standards for the various testing techniques shall as follows:

a) a reference hole or holes as defined in 5.2 when using the concentric coil
technique;

b) a reference hole or holes as defined in 5.3 when using the segment coil
technique;
Page 8
EN 10246-3:1999

c) a reference notch as defined in 5.4 when using the rotating tube/pancake coil
technique.

5.2 Concentric coil technique

5.2.1 When using the concentric coil technique, the test piece shall contain three circular
holes, drilled radially through the full thickness of the test piece. The three holes shall be
circumferentially displaced 120° from each other, and shall be sufficiently separated
longitudinally and from the ends of the test piece so that clearly distinguishable signal
indications are obtained.

Alternatively, only one hole shall be drilled through the full thickness of the test piece and
during calibration and calibration checking the test piece shall be passed through the
equipment with the hole positioned at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°.

5.2.2 The diameter of the drill required to produce these holes depends on the tube
outside diameter as shown in table 1.

The diameter of the reference hole or reference holes shall be verified and shall not
exceed the specified drill diameter by more than 0,1 mm for drill diameters less than 1,0
mm and by more than 0,2 mm for drill equal to or greater than 1,0 mm.

Table 1: Acceptance level designation and corresponding tube diameter related drill
sizes to produce the reference holes (concentric coil/segment coil techniques)
Specified outside Acceptance level Specified outside Acceptance level
diameter 2) diameter 2)
drill diameter drill diameter
1) 1)
D D
mm mm
mm E1H E2H E3H mm E4H
D  10 0,6 0,7 0,8 D  26,9 1,2

10  D  20 0,7 0,8 1,0 26,9  D  48,3 1,7

20  D  44,5 0,8 1,0 1,3 48,3  D  63,5 2,2

44,5  D  76,1 1,0 1,2 1,6 63,5  D  114,3 2,7

76,1  D  177,8 1,2 1,4 2,0 114,3  D  139,7 3,2

3)
177,8  D 1,2 1,4 2,0 139,7  D  177,8 3,7
3)
177,8  D 3,7

1) According to ENV 10220

2) Tolerances according to ISO 235 (jobber series) and EN 20286-2 (h8)
3) This applies only to the segment coil technique.

5.3 Segment coil technique

5.3.1 When using the segment coil technique, the test piece shall contain a single circular
hole, drilled radially through the full thickness of the test piece.
 Page 9
EN 10246-3:1999

5.3.2 The reference hole shall be sufficiently separated from the ends of the test piece,
so that clearly distinguishable signal indications are obtained.

5.3.3 The diameter of the drill required to produce this hole depends on the tube outside
diameter as shown in table 1. The diameter of the reference hole shall be verified as given
in 5.2.

5.4 Rotating tube/pancake technique

5.4.1 When using the rotating tube/pancake technique, the test piece shall contain a
longitudinal reference notch on the external surface.

5.4.2 The reference notch shall be sufficiently separated from the ends of the test piece,
so that clearly distinguishable signal indications are obtained.

5.4.3 The reference notch shall be of the "N" type (see figure 4) and shall lie parallel to
the major axis of the tube. The sides shall be nominally parallel and the bottom shall be
nominally square to the sides.

w = width d = depth

Figure 4: "N" type notch

5.4.4 The reference notch shall be formed by machining, spark erosion or other methods.

NOTE: It is recognized that the bottom or the bottom corners of the notch
may be rounded.

5.4.5 The dimensions of the notch shall be as follows:

a) the width w (see figure 4) shall not be greater than the depth of the reference notch
depth;

b) the depth d (see figure 4) shall be as given in table 2, with the following limitations:
 minimum notch depth: 0,5 mm;
 maximum notch depth: 1,5 mm;

c) the tolerance on notch depth shall be ± 15 % of the reference notch depth;

Page 10
EN 10246-3:1999

d) the length shall be at least twice the width of each individual transducer, with a
maximum of 50 mm.

5.4.6 The reference notch dimensions and shape shall be verified by a suitable
technique.

Table 2: Acceptance level designation and corresponding external reference notch

depth (rotating tube/pancake coil technique)
Acceptance level Notch depth in %
of the specified thickness
E2 5

E3 10

E4 12,5

E5 15

Note. The values of notch depth specified in this table are the same for the
corresponding categories, in all European Standards concerning non-destructive
testing of steel tubes where reference is made to different acceptance levels. It
should, however, be kept in mind that although the reference standards are identical,
the various test methods involved can give different test results. Accordingly the
acceptance level designation prefix E (eddy current) has been adopted to avoid any
inferred direct equivalence with other test methods.

6 Equipment calibration and checking

6.1 The equipment shall be calibrated to produce consistently, (e.g. from three
consecutive passes of the test piece through the equipment), clearly identifiable signals
from the reference standard(s). These signals shall be used to set the trigger/alarm level
of the equipment as follows.

a) When using multiple reference holes in the test piece (concentric coil techniques), the
full amplitude obtained from the reference hole giving the smallest signal shall be used
to set trigger/alarm level of the equipment. When using a single reference hole in the
test piece, the test piece shall be passed through the inspection equipment with the
reference hole, on successive runs, positioned as specified in 5.2 and the full amplitude
obtained from the reference hole run giving the smallest signal shall be used to set
trigger/alarm level of the equipment.

b) When using a single reference hole (segment coil technique for testing the weld of
welded tubes), the full amplitude obtained from the reference hole run giving the
smallest signal shall be used to set the trigger/alarm level of the equipment.

c) When using the reference notch (rotating tube/pancake coil technique), the full signal
amplitude obtained from the reference notch shall be used to set the trigger/alarm level
of the equipment.

6.2 During the calibration check, the relative speed of movement between the test
piece and the test coil shall be the same as that to be used during production test. The
same equipment settings, e.g. frequency, sensitivity, phase discrimination, rate filtering,
magnetic saturation, shall be employed.
 Page 11
EN 10246-3:1999

6.3 The calibration of the equipment shall be checked at regular intervals during the
production testing of tubes of the same specified diameter, thickness and grade by
passing the test piece through the test equipment.

The frequency of checking the calibration shall be at least every four hours but also
whenever there is an equipment operator team changeover and at the start and end of
production.

6.4 The equipment shall be recalibrated if any of the parameters which were used
during the initial calibration are changed.

6.5 If on checking during production testing the calibration requirements are not
satisfied, even after increasing the test sensitivity by 3 dB to allow for system drift, then all
tubes tested since the previous check shall be retested after the equipment has been
recalibrated.

7 Acceptance
7.1 Any tube producing signals lower than the trigger/alarm level shall be deemed to
have passed this test.

7.2 Any tube producing signals equal to or greater than the trigger/alarm level shall be
designated suspect, or at the manufacturer's option, may be retested.

7.3 If on retesting, no signals are obtained equal to or greater than the trigger/alarm
level, the tube shall be deemed to have passed this test.

Tubes giving signals equal to or greater than trigger/alarm level shall be designated
suspect.

7.4 For suspect tubes, one or more of the following actions shall be taken subject to the
requirements of the product standard:

a) The suspect area shall be dressed or explored by a suitable method. After checking
that the remaining thickness is within tolerance, the tube shall be tested as previously
specified. If no signals are obtained equal to or greater than trigger/alarm level, the tube
shall be deemed to have passed this test.

The suspect area may be retested by other non-destructive techniques and test
methods, by agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer to agreed
acceptance levels

b) The suspect area shall be cropped off. The manufacturer shall ensure that all the
suspect area has been removed.

c) The tube shall be deemed not to have passed the test.

Page 12
EN 10246-3:1999

8 Test reporting

When specified, the manufacturer shall submit to the purchaser a test report containing at
least the following information:
a) reference to this Part of EN 10246;
b) date of test report;
c) acceptance level;
d) statement of conformity;
e) product designation by grade and size;
f) type and details of inspection technique;
g) description of the reference standard.
 Page 13
EN 10246-3:1999

ANNEX A
(informative)

Table of parts of EN 10246 - Non-destructive testing of steel tubes

Purpose Title of part Part ISO
of test No. ref.

Automatic electromagnetic testing of seamless and welded (except 1 9302

Leak submerged arc-welded) ferromagnetic steel tubes for verification of
hydraulic leak-tightness.
Tightness Automatic eddy current testing of seamless and welded (except 2 -
submerged arc-welded) austenitic and austenitic-ferritic steel tubes
for verification of hydraulic leak-tightness.

Automatic eddy current testing of seamless and welded (except 3 9304

submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection of imperfections
Automatic full peripheral magnetic transducer/flux leakage testing of 4 9598
seamless ferromagnetic steel tubes for the detection of transverse
imperfections
Automatic full peripheral magnetic transducer/flux leakage testing of 5 9402
seamless and welded (except submerged arc-welded) ferromagnetic
Longitudinal steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal imperfections
and/or Automatic full peripheral ultrasonic testing of seamless steel tubes 6 9305
Transverse for the detection of transverse imperfections.
Imperfections Automatic full peripheral ultrasonic testing of seamless and welded 7 9303
(except submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection of
longitudinal imperfections.
Automatic ultrasonic testing of the weld seam of electric welded steel 8 9764
tubes for the detection of longitudinal imperfections.
Automatic ultrasonic testing of the weld seam of submerged arc- 9 9765
welded steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal and/or transverse
imperfections.
Radiographic testing of the weld seam of automatic fusion arc 10 12096
welded steel tubes for the detection of imperfections

Liquid penetrant testing of seamless and welded steel tubes for the 11 12095
Surface detection of surface imperfections.
Imperfections Magnetic particle inspection of seamless and welded ferromagnetic 12 13665
steel tubes for the detection of surface imperfections

Thickness Automatic full peripheral ultrasonic thickness testing of seamless 13 10543

and welded (except submerged arc-welded) steel tubes.

Automatic ultrasonic testing of seamless and welded (except 14 10124

submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection of laminar
imperfections.
Automatic ultrasonic testing of strip/plate used in the manufacture of 15 12094
Laminar welded steel tubes for the detection of laminar imperfections.
Imperfections Automatic ultrasonic testing of the areas adjacent to the weld seam 16 13663
of welded steel tubes for the detection of laminar imperfections.
Ultrasonic testing of the tube ends of seamless and welded steel 17 11496
tubes for the detection of laminar imperfections
Magnetic particle inspection of the tube ends of seamless and 18 13664
welded ferromagnetic steel tubes for the detection of laminar
imperfections.
Page 14
EN 10246-3:1999

ANNEX B
(informative)

Guidelines notes on limitations associated with the eddy current test method
B.1 General

It should be noted that during the eddy current testing of tubes, the test sensitivity is at its
maximum on the tube surface adjacent to the test coil and decreases with increasing
distance from the test coil. The signal response from a subsurface or internal surface
imperfection is thus smaller than that from an external imperfection of the same size. The
capability of the test equipment to detect subsurface imperfections is determined by
various factors, but predominantly by the thickness of the tube under test and the eddy
current excitation frequency.

The excitation frequency applied to the test coil determines the extent to which the
induced eddy current penetrates into the tube wall. The higher the excitation frequency
the lower the penetration and conversely the lower the excitation frequency the greater the
penetration; particular account should be taken of the tube physical parameters (e.g.
conductivity, permeability).

B.2 Concentric coil/segment coil techniques

These test techniques are preferred since they can detect short longitudinal imperfections
and transverse imperfections, both of which break, or lie below, the surface adjacent to
the test coil.

The minimum length of the longitudinal imperfections which is detectable is principally

determined by the search coil arrangement and by the rate of changes of section along
the length of the imperfections.

B.3 Rotating tube/pancake coil technique

This test technique utilises one or more pancake coils to describe a helical path over the
tube surface. For this reason the technique detects longitudinal imperfections having a
minimum length dependent on the width of the test coil and the inspection helical pitch. It
is recognised that transverse imperfection are not normally detectable

Since the excitation frequency is significant higher than that using concentric coils, only
imperfections which break the surface adjacent to the test coil are detectable.