ASTM A1047/A1047M-05

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:A1047/A1047M–05
Standard Test Method for
Pneumatic Leak Testing of Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A1047/A1047M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of 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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 actual starting pressure (P actual)—the actual star-
1.1 Thistestmethodprovidesproceduresfortheleaktesting 0
ing pressure at time zero on each test cycle.
of tubing using pneumatic pressure. This test method involves
3.2.2 calibration hole—a device (such as a crimped capil-
measuring the change in pressure inside the tubing over time.
lary, or a tube containing a hole produced by laser drilling)
There are three procedures that may be used, all of which are
certified to be of the specified diameter.
intended to be equivalent. It is a qualitative not a quantitative
3.2.3 control volume—fixed volume that is pressurized to
test method. Any of the three procedures are intended to be
compare against an identical pressure contained in one tube
capable of leak detection and, as such, are intended to be
under test.
equivalent for that purpose.
3.2.4 electronic control device (ECD)—an electronic sys-
1.2 The procedures will produce consistent results upon
tem to accumulate input from limit switches and transmitters
which acceptance standards can be based. This test may be
providing corresponding outputs to solenoid valves, acoustic
performed in accordance with the Pressure Differential (Pro-
alarm devices, and visual displays
cedure A), the Pressure Decay (Procedure B), or the Vacuum
3.2.5 pressure change (DP)—the smallest pressure change
Decay (Procedure C) method.
in a tube, reliably detected by a pressure sensitive transmitter.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.6 pressure sensitive transmitters—pressure measuring
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and signaling devices that detect extremely small changes in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pressure, either between two tubes, a tube and a control
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
volume, or a tube and the ambient atmosphere.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.7 reference standard—a tube or container containing a
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to
calibration hole. The calibration hole may either be in a full
be regarded separately as standard.Within the text, the SI units
length tube, or in a short device attached to the tube or
are shown in brackets.The values stated in each system are not
container.
exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used inde-
3.2.8 starting pressure (P )—the test starting pressure set in
pendentlyoftheother.Combiningvaluesfromthetwosystems
the test apparatus ECD.
may result in nonconformance with the specification.
3.2.9 theoretical hole—a hole that will pass air at a theo-
2. Referenced Documents reticalrateasdefinedbytheequationsgiveninAppendixX1.2.
3.2.10 threshold pressure (P )—test ending pressure limit
2.1 ASTM Standards: T
after the allowed test time; the pressure value that must be
A1016/A1016M Specification for General Requirements
crossed to determine reject status. P = P actual – DP for
for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stain- T 0
pressure decay, and P = P actual + DP for vacuum decay.
less Steel Tubes T 0
4. Summary of Test Method
3. Terminology
4.1 Procedure A, Pressure Differential,measuresthedropin
3.1 Definitions—The definitions in Specification A1016/
pressure over time as a result of air escaping from inside one
A1016M are applicable to this test method.
tubewhencomparedtoanothertubeatanidenticalpressure,or
one tube against a control volume at identical pressure. (See
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Refs (1) and (2))
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.2 Procedure B, Pressure Decay, measures the drop in
A01.10 on Stainless and Alloy Steel Tubular Products.
pressure over time as a result of air escaping from the tube.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. DOI:
10.1520/A1047_A1047M-05.
4.3 Procedure C, Vacuum Decay, involves evacuating the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
tubing to suitably low pressure and measuring the increase in
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
pressure caused by gas entering the tubing.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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A1047/A1047M–05
5. Significance and Use 9. Procedure
5.1 When permitted by a specification or the order, this test 9.1 Perform pneumatic leak testing after all process opera-
method may be used for detecting leaks in tubing in lieu of the
tions, including cold work, heat treatment, and straightening.
air underwater pressure test.
9.2 Clean and dry the tubes before testing. Remove loose
scale from the inside and outside surfaces of the tubes.
6. Apparatus
9.3 Actual test time is calculated in accordance with the
6.1 An electronic control device (ECD) controls all opera-
parameters of the test using the appropriate equation in X1.2.
tionsofthetestmethodbyacceptinginputsfromlimitswitches
9.4 Test Cycle for Procedure A, Pressure Differential:
and transmitters, and by providing corresponding pass/fail
9.4.1 Pressurize the tubes in pairs, or a single tube and a
outputs to solenoid valves, acoustic alarm devices, and visual
known control volume, to a pressure greater than 33 psia with
displays.The pass/fail determination is achieved by a compari-
clean and dry compressed air.
son of the data input from pressure transducers with a standard
9.4.2 Allow the system to stabilize and measure the actual
accept/reject criterion measured over the set test time.
StartingPressure(P actual). P actualmustbewithin10 %of
0 0
6.2 The test apparatus may have the capability for single- or
P for a valid test.
multi-tube testing. It shall be designed to detect a small
9.4.3 The apparatus is to calculate and set the Threshold
predetermined pressure change during the testing cycle. It is
Pressure where P = P actual – DP.
T 0
intended that the apparatus be fully automated and equipped
9.4.4 Isolate the tubes in pairs or a single tube and a known
with suitable instrumentation for the purpose of the test. This
control volume.
instrumentation may include, but is not limited to the follow-
9.4.5 Measure the pressure at the end of the test period. The
ing:
tubes or tube have/has passed the test if the pressure has not
6.2.1 Internal transducers for calibration tests,
crossed the threshold pressure P . If the threshold pressure has
T
6.2.2 Differential pressure and leak rate diagnosis,
beencrossed,thenthetubesortubehavefailed.Whenafailure
6.2.3 Control panel display for reporting digital or analog
occurs while testing tubes in pairs, the individual tubes may be
outputs,
tested with other tubes to determine which tube failed.
6.2.4 Absolute or differential pressure transducers, or both,
9.5 Test Cycle for Procedure B, Pressure Decay:
6.2.5 Internal timing device,
9.5.1 Pressurize the tube to a pressure greater than 33 psia
6.2.6 Failure lamps, and
with clean and dry compressed air.
6.2.7 Automatic shutdown capability.
9.5.2 Allow the system to stabilize and measure the actual
StartingPressure(P actual). P actualmustbewithin10 %of
7. Hazards
0 0
P for a valid test.
7.1 Warning—In addition to other precautions, high pres-
9.5.3 The apparatus is to calculate and set the Threshold
sure air is employed during the testing process.
Pressure where P = P actual – DP.
T 0
8. Calibration
9.5.4 Measure the pressure at the end of the test cycl
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