1、Designation: E 515 05Standard Test Method forLeaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 515; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in p
2、arentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers procedures for detecting orlocating leaks, or both, by bubble emission techniques. Aquantitative measure is not practical
3、. The normal limit ofsensitivity for this test method is 4.5 3 1010mol/s (1 3 105Std cm3/s).21.2 Two techniques are described:1.2.1 Immersion technique, and1.2.2 Liquid application technique.NOTE 1Additional information is available in ASME Boiler andPressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article 10-Leak
4、Testing, and GuideE 479.1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safetyconcerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibilityof the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety andhealth practices and determine the applicability of regulatorylimitations prior to use.2.
5、 Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3E 479 Guide for Preparation of a Leak Testing SpecificationE 543 Practice for Agencies Performing NondestructiveTestingE 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Testing2.2 Other Documents:SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-cation and Certificati
6、on in Nondestructive Testing4ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification andCertification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel4ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Article10-Leak Testing5NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of NondestructiveTest Personnel62.3 Military Standard:MIL
7、-L-25567D Leak Detection Compound Oxygen Sys-tems73. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this testmethod, see Terminology E 1316, Section E.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 The basic principle of this method consists of creating apressure differential across a leak and observing f
8、or bubbles ina liquid medium located on the low pressure side. Thesensitivity of the method is dependent on the pressure differ-ential, the gas used to create the differential, and the liquid usedfor testing. As long as the pressure differential can be main-tained across the area to be tested, this
9、method can be used.5. Basis of Application5.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-ment between the parties using or referencing this test method:5.2 Personnel Qualifications5.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement. Personnelperforming examinations to this test method shall be
10、 qualifiedin accordance with a nationally or internationally recognizedNDT 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 applicable
11、revision shall be identified in the contractual agreement.5.3 Qualification of Nondestructive AgenciesIf specifiedin the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 onNondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility o
12、f Subcommittee E07.08 onLeak Testing.Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originallyapproved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E 515 - 95 (2000).2The gas temperature is referenced to 0C. To convert to another gas referencetemperature, Tref, multiply the le
13、ak rate by (Tref+ 273)/273.3For 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.4Available from American Society f
14、or Nondestructive Testing, 1711 ArlingatePlaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228 0518.5Available fromAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street,New York, NY 10017.6Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1250Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.7Avail
15、able from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.and evaluated as described in Practice E 543. The applicable
16、edition of Practice E 543 shall be specified in the contractualagreement.5.4 Re-examination of Repaired/Reworked ItemsRe-examination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in thistest method, they shall be specified in the contractual agree-ment.6. Significance and Use6.1 The immersion techniqu
17、e is frequently used to locateleaks in sealed containers. Leaks in a container can be seenindependently. Leak size can be approximated by the size ofthe bubble. It is not suitable for measurement of total systemleakage.6.2 The liquid film technique is widely applied to compo-nents and systems that c
18、an not easily be immersed and is usedto rapidly locate leaks. An approximation of leak size can bemade based on the type of bubbles formed, but the technique isnot suitable for measuring leakage rate. It can be used with avacuum box to test vessels which cannot be pressurized orwhere only one side i
19、s accessible.7. Interferences7.1 Surface contamination of the test specimen, if smallimmersed parts, in the form of grease, rust, weld slag, etc., maybe a source of bubbles giving false indication of leakage. Testspecimens should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid rejection ofacceptable items.7.2 Contam
20、inated detection fluid or one that foams onapplication can cause spurious surface bubbles on the testspecimen.7.3 An excessive vacuum on the low-pressure side whenusing the vacuum differential technique may cause the detec-tion fluid to boil.7.4 If the component to be tested has parts made of stainl
21、esssteel, nickel, or chromium alloys, the test fluid must have asulfur and halogen content of less than 10 ppm of each.7.5 Immediate application of high pressure may cause largeleaks to be missed in the liquid application technique.7.6 If the component to be tested has parts made ofpolyethylene or s
22、tructural plastic, the test fluid must notpromote environmental stress cracking (E.S.C).7.7 If the test fluid is to be used on oxygen systems it mustmeet the requirements of MIL-L-25567D.8. Immersion Technique8.1 ApplicationThis technique is applicable to test speci-mens whose physical size allows i
23、mmersion in a container offluid when the test specimen can be sealed prior to the test.8.2 Techniques for Creating Pressure Differential:8.2.1 Pressurization of Test SpecimenSeal componentsand apply an elevated pressure, or if accessible, increase theinternal pressure for test purposes.8.2.2 Elevate
24、d-Temperature Test FluidHeat the test fluidto a temperature not exceeding the maximum rated temperatureof the test specimen. This will cause expansion of the gasinside the test specimen, creating a pressure differential. Thistechnique is usually limited to use on very small parts.8.2.3 Vacuum Techni
25、queImmerse the test specimen in thetest fluid and then place the test fluid container in the vacuumchamber. Reduce the pressure in the chamber to a point thatdoes not allow the test fluid to boil, thus creating a pressuredifferential. This technique is normally used on very smallparts.8.3 Test Fluid
26、s Used in Immersion TechniqueThe follow-ing test fluids may be used, provided they are not detrimentalto the component being tested:8.3.1 WaterShould be treated with a wetting agent up to13 by volume to reduce surface tension and promote bubblegrowth.8.3.2 Methyl Alcohol (Technical Grade), Undiluted
27、Notsuitable for the heated-bath technique or the vacuum technique.8.3.3 Ethylene Glycol (Technical Grade), Undiluted.8.3.4 Mineral OilDegreasing of the test specimens maybe necessary. This is the most suitable fluid for the vacuumtechnique.8.3.5 Fluorocarbons or GlycerinFluorocarbons are notrecommen
28、ded for stainless steel nuclear applications.8.4 Procedures:8.4.1 Pressurized Test Specimen:8.4.1.1 Specimens Sealed at Elevated PressuresPlace thetest specimen or area being tested in the selected test fluid andobserve for a minimum period of 2 min. Interpret as leakage astream of bubbles originati
29、ng from a single point or two ormore bubbles that grow and then release from a single point.8.4.1.2 Very Small Specimens Sealed at Ambient or ReducedPressuresPlace the test specimen in a pressure chamber andexpose to an elevated pressure. The actual pressure is depen-dent on the specimens. Place the
30、 specimen in the selected testfluid within 2 min after removal from the pressure chamber andobserve for a minimum period of 2 min. Interpret as leakage astream of bubbles originating from a single point.8.4.2 Elevated Temperature Test Fluid Place the testspecimen in the test fluid which is stabilize
31、d and maintained atan elevated temperature at a temperature dependent on thespecimen. Observe for a stream of bubbles originating from asingle point or two or more bubbles that grow and then releasefrom a single point. Interpret either as indicating leakage. Thetime of observation shall be dependent
32、 on the internal volumeof the specimen and the case materials of the enclosure. Dwelltime must be sufficient to allow a pressure increase to apressure dependent on the specimen.8.4.3 Vacuum TechniquePlace the test specimen in acontainer of the selected test fluid and place the container in avacuum c
33、hamber with viewing ports. Reduce the pressure inthe vacuum chamber and observe for a stream of bubblesoriginating from a single point or two or more bubbles thatgrow and then release from a single point. The amount ofvacuum used will be dependent on the test fluid and should bethe maximum obtainabl
34、e without the test fluid boiling. Thistechnique is also applicable to unsealed components or speci-men sections by use of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.9. Liquid Application Technique9.1 ApplicationThis technique is applicable to any testspecimen on which a pressure differential can be created acros
35、sthe area to be examined. An example of this technique is theE515052application of leak-test solutions to pressurized gas-line joints.It is most useful on piping systems, pressure vessels, tanks,spheres, pumps, or other large apparatus on which the immer-sion techniques are impractical.9.2 Location
36、of Bubble Test FluidApply the test liquid tothe low-pressure side of the area to be examined and thenexamine the area for bubbles in the fluid. Take care in applyingthe fluid to prevent formation of bubbles. Flow the solution onthe test area. Joints must be completely coated. The pressuredifferentia
37、l should be created before the fluid is applied, toprevent clogging of small leaks.9.3 Type of Bubble Test FluidA solution of commercialleak-testing fluids may be used. The use of soap buds orhousehold detergents and water is not considered a satisfactoryleak-test fluid for a bubble test, because of
38、 lack of sensitivitydue to masking by foam. The fluid should be capable of beingapplied free of bubbles so that a bubble appears only at a leak.The fluid selected should not bubble except in response toleakage.9.4 Vacuum TechniquePlace a vacuum box (see Fig. 2)over the bubble test fluid. In testing
39、equipment, such as storagetank floors and roofs, place the vacuum box over a section ofthe weld seam and evacuate to 3 psi 20.68 kPa (or what theapplicable standard requires) and hold for a minimum time of15 s.10. Precision and Bias10.1 AccuracyThe methods are not intended to measureleakage rates bu
40、t to locate leaks on a go, no-go basis. Theiraccuracy for locating leaks of 4.5 3 1010mol/s (1 3 104Stdcm3/s)2and larger is 65 %.Accuracy for locating smaller leaksdepends upon the skill of the operator.10.2 RepeatabilityOn a go, no-go basis, duplicate tests bythe same operator should not vary by mo
41、re than 65 % for leaksof 4.5 3 109mol/s (1 3 104Std cm3/s).210.3 ReproducibilityOn a go, no-go basis, duplicate testsby other trained operators should not vary by more than 10 %for leaks of 4.5 3 109mol/s (1 3 104Std cm3/s)2and larger.11. Keywords11.1 bubble leak testing; film solution leak test; im
42、mersionleak test; leak testing; vacuum box leak testingASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent
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45、ing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).FIG. 1 Vacuum Chamber TechniqueFIG. 2 Vacuum BoxE515053
