ASTM A1047/A1047M-05(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A1047/A1047M − 05 (Reapproved 2023)
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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method provides procedures for the leak testing
of tubing using pneumatic pressure. This test method involves A1016/A1016M Specification for General Requirements for
Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless
measuring the change in pressure inside the tubing over time.
There are three procedures that may be used, all of which are Steel Tubes
intended to be equivalent. It is a qualitative not a quantitative
3. Terminology
test method. Any of the three procedures are intended to be
3.1 Definitions—The definitions in Specification A1016/
capable of leak detection and, as such, are intended to be
A1016M are applicable to this test method.
equivalent for that purpose.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 The procedures will produce consistent results upon
3.2.1 actual starting pressure (P actual)—the actual start-
which acceptance standards can be based. This test may be 0
ing pressure at time zero on each test cycle.
performed in accordance with the Pressure Differential (Pro-
cedure A), the Pressure Decay (Procedure B), or the Vacuum
3.2.2 calibration hole—a device (such as a crimped
Decay (Procedure C) method.
capillary, or a tube containing a hole produced by laser drilling)
certified to be of the specified diameter.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 3.2.3 control volume—fixed volume that is pressurized to
compare against an identical pressure contained in one tube
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining under test.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.2.4 electronic control device (ECD)—an electronic system
with the standard.
to accumulate input from limit switches and transmitters
1.3.1 Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets.
providing corresponding outputs to solenoid valves, acoustic
alarm devices, and visual displays.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.5 pressure change (ΔP)—the smallest pressure change
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in a tube, reliably detected by a pressure sensitive transmitter.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.6 pressure sensitive transmitters—pressure measuring
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and signaling devices that detect extremely small changes in
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
pressure, either between two tubes, a tube and a control
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
volume, or a tube and the ambient atmosphere.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.7 reference standard—a tube or container containing a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
calibration hole. The calibration hole may either be in a full
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
length tube, or in a short device attached to the tube or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
container.
3.2.8 starting pressure (P )—the test starting pressure set in
the test apparatus ECD.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.10 on Stainless and Alloy Steel Tubular Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as A1047/A1047M – 05 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(2019). DOI: 10.1520/A1047_A1047M-05R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A1047/A1047M − 05 (2023)
3.2.9 theoretical hole—a hole that will pass air at a theo- Pressure Change (ΔP), and test time. Test time is dependent
retical rate as defined by the equations given in Appendix X1.2. upon starting pressure, allowed pressure change, tube internal
volume, hole diameter, and is calculated using the equation in
3.2.10 threshold pressure (P )—test ending pressure limit
T
Appendix X1. Actual test time may be longer than the
after the allowed test time; the pressure value that must be
calculated value and shall be adjusted as necessary for the
crossed to determine reject status. P = P actual – ΔP for
T 0
apparatus to cross the threshold pressure and cause the system
pressure decay, and P = P actual + ΔP for vacuum decay.
T 0
to automatically shut down.
4. Summary of Test Method
8.2 Verify that all failure lights are illuminated during the
4.1 Procedure A, Pressure Differential, measures the drop in
calibration.
pressure over time as a result of air escaping from inside one
8.3 Unless otherwise specified, apparatus calibration shall
tube when compared to another tube at an identical pressure, or
be made at twelve month intervals maximum.
one tube against a control volume at identical pressure. (See
8.4 Recalibrate the test apparatus prior to use whenever any
Refs (1) and (2).)
pressure sensing component is replaced or modified.
4.2 Procedure B, Pressure Decay, measures the drop in
8.5 Calibrate the calibration hole at twelve month intervals
pressure over time as a result of air escaping from the tube.
maximum. It is recommended that the device containing the
4.3 Procedure C, Vacuum Decay, involves evacuating the
calibration hole be stored in an inert atmosphere and cleaned
tubing to suitably low pressure and measuring the increase in
with high pressure nitrogen.
pressure caused by gas entering the tubing.
8.6 Calibrate all pressure gauges and pressure transducers at
5. Significance and Use
twelve month intervals maximum.
5.1 When permitted by a specification or the order, this test
8.7 Unless otherwise agreed to by producer and purchaser,
method may be used for detecting leaks in tubing in lieu of the
the minimum calibration hole size in the reference standard
air underwater pressure test.
shall be 0.003-in. diameter. Calibration with smaller holes may
not be repeatable due to fouling and plugging. (See Ref (3).)
6. Apparatus
6.1 An electronic control device (ECD) controls all opera-
9. Procedure
tions of the test method by accepting inputs from limit switches
9.1 Perform pneumatic leak testing after all process
and transmitters, and by providing corresponding pass/fail
operations, including cold work, heat treatment, and straight-
outputs to solenoid valves, acoustic alarm devices, and visual
ening.
displays. The pass/fail determination is achieved by a compari-
son of the data input from pressure transducers with a standard
9.2 Clean and dry the tubes before testing. Remove loose
accept/reject criterion measured over the set test time. scale from the inside and outside surfaces of the tubes.
6.2 The test apparatus may have the capability for single- or
9.3 Actual test time is calculated in accordance with the
multi-tube testing. It shall be designed to detect a small parameters of the test using the appropriate equation in X1.2.
predetermined pressure change during the testing cycle. It is
9.4 Test Cycle for Procedure A, Pressure Differential:
intended that the apparatus be fully automated and equipped
9.4.1 Pressurize the tubes in pairs, or a single tube and a
with suitable instrumentation for the purpose of the test. This
known control volume, to a pressure greater than 33 psia with
instrumentation may include, but is not limited to the follow-
clean and dry compressed air.
ing:
9.4.2 Allow the system to stabilize and measure the actual
6.2.1 Internal transducers for calibration tests,
Starting Pressure (P actual). P actual must be within 10 % of
0 0
6.2.2 Diffe
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