ASTM E1603-99

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Designation:E1603–99
Standard Test Methods for
Leakage Measurement Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak
Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Hood Mode
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1603; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope tion and Ceretification
2.4 AIA Standard:
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for testing the
−14
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
sources of gas leaking at the rate of 4.4 310 moles/s
−9 3
Test Personnel
(1 310 standard-cm /s at 0°C) or greater. These test meth-
ods may be conducted on any object that can be evacuated and
3. Terminology
to the other side of which helium or other tracer gas may be
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
applied. The object must be structurally capable of being
−3
methods, see Terminology E1316.
evacuated to pressures of 0.1 Pa (approximately 10 torr).
1.2 Three test methods are described;
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.2.1 Test Method A—For the object under test capable of
4.1 ThesetestmethodsrequireaheliumLDthatcanprovide
being evacuated, but having no inherent pumping capability.
asystemsensitivityof10%orlessoftheintendedleakagerate
1.2.2 Test Method B—Fortheobjectundertestwithintegral
to be measured.
pumping capability.
4.2 Test Method A—This test method is used to helium leak
1.2.3 Test Method C—For the object under test as in Test
test objects that are capable of being evacuated to a reasonable
MethodB,inwhichthevacuumpumpsoftheobjectundertest
test pressure by the LD pumps during an acceptable length of
replace those normally used in the leak detector (LD).
time (Fig. 1). This requires that the object be clean and dry.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Auxiliary vacuum pumps having greater capacity than those in
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
the LD may be used in conjunction with them. The leak test
only.
sensitivity will be reduced under these conditions.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.3 Test Method B—This test method is used to leak test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
equipmentthatcanprovideitsownvacuum(thatis,equipment
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
that has a built-in pumping system) at least to a level of a few
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
hundred pascals (a few torr) or lower. Refer to Fig. 2.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.4 Test Method C—When a vacuum system is capable of
−2
2. Referenced Documents producing internal pressures of less than 2 3 10 Pa
−4
(2 310 torr) in the presence of leaks, these leaks may be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 located and evaluated by the use of either a residual gas
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examination
analyzer(RGA)orbyusingthespectrometertubeandcontrols
2.2 ASNT Standards:
fromaconventionalMSLD,providedthattheleakageiswithin
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
3 thesensitivityrangeoftheRGAorMSLDundertheconditions
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
existing in the vacuum system. Refer to Fig. 3.
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certi-
fication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
5. Significance and Use
2.3 Military Standard:
5.1 Test Method A—This test method is the most frequently
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualifica-
used in leak testing components. Testing of components is
correlated to a standard leak, and the actual leak rate is
1 measured. Acceptance is based on the maximum system
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on
NondestructiveTestingandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE07.08on
Leak Testing Method.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally
pulished as E1603-94. Last previous edition E1603–94. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg.4 SectionD, 700
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094, Attn: NPODS.
3 5
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate Available from the Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228-0518. Eye Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1603–99
withTestMethodA,theresponsetimeandasystemsensitivity
check may be required for large volumes.
5.3 Test Method C—This test method is to be used only
when there is no convenient method of connecting the LD to
theoutletofthehigh-vacuumpump.IfaheliumLDisusedand
the high-vacuum pump is an ion pump or cryopump, leak
testingisbestaccomplishedduringtheroughingcycle,asthese
pumps leave a relatively high percentage of helium in the
high-vacuumchamber.Thiswilllimitthemaximumsensitivity
that can be obtained.
FIG. 1 Test Method A
6. Basis of Application
6.1 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the contractual
agreement, personnel performing examinations to these test
methods shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally
recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or standard,
such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410,
NAS-410, or a similar document and certified by the employer
or certifying agency, as applicable. The practice or standard
used and its applicable revision shall be identified in the
contractual agreement between the using parties.
7. Interferences
7.1 Series leaks with an unpumped volume between them
FIG. 2 Test Method B
present a difficult if not impossible problem in helium leak
testing. Although the trace gas enters the first leak readily
enough since the pressure difference of helium across the first
leak is approximately one atmosphere, it may take many hours
to build up the partial pressure of helium in the volume
betweenthetwoleakssothatenoughheliumentersthevacuum
system to be detected by the LD. This type of leak occurs
frequently under the following conditions:
7.1.1 Double-welded joints and lap welds,
7.1.2 Double O-rings,
7.1.3 Threaded joints,
7.1.4 Ferrule and flange-type tubing fittings,
7.1.5 Casting with internal voids,
7.1.6 Flat polymer gaskets, and
7.1.7 Unvented O-ring grooves.
7.2 In general, the solution is proper design to eliminate
theseconditions;however,whendoublesealsmustbeused,an
accessportbetweenthemshouldbeprovidedforattachmentto
FIG. 3 Test Method C
the LD. Leaks may then be located from each side of the seal.
The access port can be sealed or pumped continuously after
repair by a holding pump (large vacuum system).
allowable leakage. For most production needs, acceptance is
7.3 Temporarily plugged leaks often occur because of poor
based on acceptance of parts leaking less than an established
manufacturing techniques. Water, cleaning solvent, plating,
leakage rate, which will ensure safe performance over the
flux, grease, paint, etc. are common problems.These problems
projected life of the component. Care must be exercised to
canbeeliminatedtoalargeextentbyproperpreparationofthe
ensure that large systems are calibrated with the standard leak
parts before leak testing. Proper degreasing, vacuum baking,
located at a representative place on the test volume. As the
and testing before plating or painting are desirable.
volume tends to be large (>1 m ) and there are often low
7.4 The time constant for evacuation and for the rise of the
conductance paths involved, a check of the response time as
helium signal is inversely proportional to the pumping speed
well as system sensitivity should be made.
and directly proportional to the volume being evacuated.
5.2 Test Method B—This test method is used for testing
t5 V/S (1)
vacuum systems either as a step in the final test of a new
system or as a maintenance practice on equipment used for Low-conductance tubing, or any other flow impedance, can
manufacturing, environmental test, or conditioning parts. As reducethepumpingspeedofthesystemverysignificantly,thus
E1603–99
extending the system response time constant. If such an 9.3 Disconnect the capsule standard leak from the LD and
impedance connects two volumes under test, a LD connection connect the test system to the LD.
to each volume should be provided.
10. System Calibration and Test Procedure
7.5 When unusually long pumping times are necessary, all
of the connections not being tested should be protected from
10.1 For small-volume tests (a few litres and less) or when
continuous exposure to the helium. This will reduce undesired
the standard leak cannot be attached directly to the test
high-helium background levels due to permeation of helium
component, the instrument calibration shall be used for the
throughtheO-rings.Thiscanbeeffectedbydouble-seals(with
systemcalibration.Thecorrectionfactor(CF)usedtomultiply
evacuation of the space between), or sometimes by more
theinstrumentcalibrationvalueforthesystemleakrateisone.
informal shielding approaches.
10.2 For large-volume systems, attach one of the standard
leaks to the test system at a location that provides the lowest
TEST METHOD A—HELIUM LEAK TESTING OF
conductance path to the LD.
COMPONENTS/SYSTEMS USING THE LD
NOTE 2—If using a capsule leak, open the calibrated leak (CL) and
pump isolation valves, and close the calibration valve. Turn on the CL
8. Apparatus
vacuum pump. Refer to Fig. 4.
8.1 Leak
...