ASTM_E_2024_-_E_2024M_-_11.pdf

Designation:E2024/E2024M11Standard Practice forAtmospheric Leaks Using a Thermal Conductivity LeakDetector1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2024/E2024M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This practice covers procedures for detecting thesources of gas leaking at the rate of 1 105Pa m3/s(1 104standard cm3/s)or greater.The tests may be conducted on anyobject that can be pressurized with a tracer gas that isdetectable by a thermal conductivity detector.The test sensi-tivity will vary widely depending on the tracer gas used.1.2 UnitsThe values stated in either SI or std-cc/sec unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents:therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E543 Specification for Agencies Performing NondestructiveTestingE1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations2.2 ASNT Documents:3SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-cation and Certification in Nondestructive TestingANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel2.3 AIA Standard:NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of NondestructiveTest Personnel43.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in these testmethods,see Terminology E1316,Section E.4.Summary of Practice4.1 Scanning MethodThis test method sets minimumrequirements for a thermal conductivity leak detector.Itprovides for calibration of the detector and gives proceduresfor pressurizing the test object,locating leaks and estimatingthe leakage rate.4.2 Accumulation MethodThe accumulation method issometimes the only practical method for accessing complexshaped flanges or sections of pressurized vessels to be leaktested.It may be achieved by entrapping or enclosing an areaof a test component with a suitable covering and sampling thebuildup of tracer gas concentration with the thermal conduc-tivity leak detector.The acceptance criteria is based on thetracer gas concentration detected by the thermal conductivitydetector after an accumulation time from leakage from theleak(s)into the known sample volume.5.Significance and Use5.1 These test methods are useful for locating and estimat-ing the size of pressurized gas leaks,either as quality controltests or as field inspection procedures.Also,they are valuableas pretests before other more time consuming and moresensitive leak tests are employed.These test methods aresemi-quantitative techniques used to locate leaks but cannot beused to quantify except for approximation.These test methodsmay be used in an accept-reject test mode.6.Basis of Application6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-ment between the parties using or referencing these testmethods:1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on LeakTesting Method.Current edition approved July 1,2011.Published July 2011.Originally approvedin 1999.Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E2024-05.DOI:10.1520/E2024_E2024M-11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available fromAmerican Society for Nondestructive Testing(ASNT),P.O.Box28518,1711 Arlingate Ln.,Columbus,OH 43228-0518,http:/www.asnt.org.4Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America,Inc.(AIA),1000Wilson Blvd.,Suite 1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http:/www.aia-aerospace.org.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.2 Personnel Qualification6.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement.Personnelperforming examinations to these test methods shall be quali-fied in accordance with a nationally or internationally recog-nized NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such asANSI/ASNT-CP-189,SNT-TC-1A,NAS-410,or similar docu-ment and certified by the employer or certifying agency,asapplicable.The practice or standard used and its applicablerevision shall be identified in the contractual agreement.6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive AgenciesIf