ASTM E2580-24
Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications

Standard No.

ASTM E2580-24

Release Date

2024

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM E2580-24

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Introduction

Analysis of the core content of the standard

ASTM E2580-24 specifies the ultrasonic testing method for flat composite materials and sandwich core materials for aerospace applications, mainly including:

Test Procedure	Applicable Scenarios	Frequency Range	Typical Defects
Procedure A (Pulse Echo)	Single-sided Contact/Non-contact Testing	0.5-20MHz	Delamination, Debonding, Porosity
Procedure B (Through Transmission)	Double-sided automated testing	0.5-20MHz	Core material debonding and foreign matter inclusion

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Technical Implementation Points

1. Frequency Selection Principle

The standard requires that the test frequency be selected based on the acoustic properties of the material: low frequency (0.5-5MHz) is suitable for high-attenuation materials, and high frequency (5-20MHz) is used for thin plates or high-resolution testing.

2. Use of Reference Standards

A reference block containing the following artificial defects must be used:

• Flat-bottom hole (dimensional tolerance ±0.1mm)
• Delamination simulation piece (thickness ≤0.05mm)
• Typical inclusions (such as PTFE film)

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Test Procedure Comparison and Analysis

Pulse-echo technique (Procedure A)

When using single-probe working mode, special attention should be paid to the following:

1. Control of nozzle diameter and water flow stability during immersion testing
2. Verification of couplant uniformity during contact testing
3. Signal-to-noise ratio must be ≥3:1

Through-transmission technique (Procedure B)

Special requirements for dual-probe systems:

• The water column must be parallel to the honeycomb core pore wall (angle deviation ≤ 2°)
• Attenuation compensation is required when using lead foil to transfer the test block
• The scanning speed must meet V≤(1-overlap ratio)×spot size×pulse repetition frequency/average number

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Standard Evolution and Industry Application

Main updates compared to the 2017 version:

• Delete the description of the Lamb wave detection method
• Clarify the matching relationship between probe diameter and detection requirements
• Add annual verification requirements for system linearity (according to E1324/E317)

Typical application scenarios include:

1. Wing skin manufacturing process monitoring
2. In-service detection of satellite honeycomb sandwich panels
3. Acceptance testing of carbon fiber composite tanks

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Implementation Recommendations

1. Personnel Qualification Requirements

Inspectors must be certified to NAS410 or equivalent Level II and undergo practical review every three years.

2. Equipment Verification Cycle

Verification Items	Period	Based on Standards
System Linearity	Annual	E1324
Probe Performance	Semi-annual	E1065
Mechanical Accuracy	Quarterly	E543

3. Test Report Elements

Must include: probe model/serial number, coupling agent type, scanning path diagram, reference block number, gain setting parameters, etc. 23 key data.

ASTM E2580-24 Referenced Document

• ASTM D3878 Standard Terminology Composite Materials
• ASTM D5687/D5687M Standard Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Preparation
• ASTM E1065/E1065M Standard Practice for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic Search Units*， 2025-06-01 Update
• ASTM E1309 Standard Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases*， 2025-08-20 Update
• ASTM E1316 Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations*， 2025-05-15 Update
• ASTM E1324 Standard Guide for Measuring Some Electronic Characteristics of Ultrasonic Testing Instruments
• ASTM E1434 Standard Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases*， 2025-08-20 Update
• ASTM E1471 Standard Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases
• ASTM E317 Standard Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse- Echo Examination Instruments and Systems Without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments
• ASTM E543 Standard Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing

ASTM E2580-24 history

• 2024 ASTM E2580-24 Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications
• 2017 ASTM E2580-17 Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications
• 2012 ASTM E2580-12 Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications
• 2007 ASTM E2580-07 Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications

Standard and Specification