Ultrasonic testing standards by steel product form

“UT required” is incomplete purchasing language. The correct ultrasonic-testing reference depends first on what product is being inspected and what discontinuity is being sought.

A plate, rolled beam, bar and steel tube do not automatically use the same UT standard.

Quick product-form map

The table is a selection guide, not a substitute for the governing product standard or project specification.

Plate / flat product — EN 10160

EN 10160 is the familiar European reference for ultrasonic testing of steel flat product. The current DIN/EN edition is EN 10160:1999, titled for flat product with thickness 6 mm or greater. A revision is under development, but a draft should not be treated as the current standard.

The standard uses separate concepts for the main body and edge zones, which is why purchase requirements often appear as combinations such as S... / E....

For more detail, see EN 10160 ultrasonic testing of steel plate.

Rolled H and IPE sections — EN 10306

EN 10306 is specifically titled for ultrasonic testing of H beams with parallel flanges and IPE beams.

This is an important procurement distinction. Applying EN 10160 plate classes directly to a rolled H-beam can create an invalid or at least ambiguous requirement because the product geometry, scanning zones and acceptance framework are different.

If a project wants enhanced UT of beams or sections, the requirement should be written against the applicable section standard and acceptance class rather than borrowing a plate class by habit.

Bars — EN 10308

EN 10308 covers ultrasonic testing of steel bars. This is the more appropriate starting point for round, square or other bar products within its scope.

The word “flat” in a commercial enquiry can cause confusion: a flat product/plate and a rolled flat bar are not necessarily governed by the same UT framework. Identify the manufacturing/product form first.

Tubes and pipes — ISO 10893 is a series, not one test

The ISO 10893 series separates several NDT purposes. For UT, relevant parts include:

• ISO 10893-8 — automated UT for laminar imperfections in seamless and welded tubes within its scope;
• ISO 10893-9 — automated UT for laminar imperfections in strip/plate used to manufacture welded tubes;
• ISO 10893-10 — automated full-peripheral UT for longitudinal/transverse imperfections in seamless and welded tubes, excluding SAW in its stated scope;
• ISO 10893-11 — automated UT of the weld seam of welded tubes;
• ISO 10893-12 — automated full-peripheral ultrasonic thickness testing.

So “UT per ISO 10893” is still incomplete. The required part must match the product and inspection objective.

Product UT vs weld UT

Another common mistake is mixing a product integrity standard with a weld inspection standard.

For example:

• EN 10160 addresses flat-product UT;
• EN 10306 addresses selected rolled sections;
• ISO 10893 parts address steel-tube NDT;
• ISO 17640 addresses manual UT techniques for fusion welds within its scope.

A fabricated beam made from plate may therefore have one requirement for the parent plate and another for the fabricated welds.

What to put in the RFQ

A useful UT requirement should identify at least:

1. product form;
2. applicable UT standard and edition where necessary;
3. acceptance class/level;
4. inspection coverage — body, edges, ends, weld seam, HAZ, full circumference, etc.;
5. manual or automated method if contractually important;
6. reporting and certification requirement;
7. any purchaser/TPI witness point.

Do not ask a supplier simply for “100% UT” without defining what 100% means.

Procurement takeaway

Choose UT requirements by product form + defect type + coverage + acceptance level. A strict plate class is not automatically a strict beam class, and tube-body UT is not the same as weld-seam UT.

References and verification sources

• DIN EN 10160 — UT of steel flat product
• DIN EN 10306 — UT of H beams with parallel flanges and IPE beams
• DIN EN 10308 — UT of steel bars
• ISO 10893-8 — tube laminar-imperfection UT
• ISO steel-tube NDT catalogue — ISO 10893 series
• ISO 17640:2018 — manual UT of fusion welds