ISO 18563-1:2022

Overview

ISO 18563-1:2022 - "Non-destructive testing - Characterization and verification of ultrasonic phased array equipment - Part 1: Instruments" - defines the functional characteristics, measurement methods and acceptance criteria for multi‑channel ultrasonic phased array instruments. The standard covers instruments used with array probes across a frequency range of 0.5 MHz to 10 MHz, and is applicable to stand‑alone units and instruments integrated into automated systems (with allowance for altered acceptance criteria by agreement). It is partly applicable to FMC and TFM instruments and incorporates test methods aligned with ISO 22232‑1.

Key topics and requirements

The standard specifies both general and detailed performance tests, organized into groups and clauses. Major technical topics include:

• Functional characteristics of multi‑channel phased array instruments (maximum active channels, parallel operation).
• Measurement and verification methods for instrument performance and conformity.
• Group 1 tests (stability, timing and basic performance), examples:
  • Battery operational time, warm‑up stability and stability vs temperature and voltage
  • Time base deviation and resolution of time delays
  • Transmitter characteristics (pulse frequency, effective output impedance)
  • Receiver performance (dead time, dynamic range, input impedance, time‑corrected gain)
  • Gates, summation, highest digitized frequency and response time
• Group 2 tests (detailed transmitter/receiver and physical checks), examples:
  • Physical condition and external aspects inspection
  • Transmitter pulse voltage, rise time and duration, linearity of time delays
  • Receiver frequency response, equivalent input noise, gain linearity and channel‑to‑channel variation
• Acceptance criteria defined for each test within the stated frequency range; criteria for automated systems can be modified by agreement between parties.

Applications and users

ISO 18563‑1:2022 provides a structured verification framework useful for:

• NDT engineers and inspection teams ensuring phased array instruments meet required performance before use.
• Manufacturers and suppliers validating instrument specifications, production QA and pre‑shipment checks.
• Calibration and testing laboratories performing standardized characterization and verification services.
• Asset owners and inspectors implementing acceptance testing for automated ultrasonic inspection systems.
• Integrators of FMC/TFM or automated inspection cells who need to demonstrate instrument conformity or agree modified acceptance criteria.

Related standards

• ISO 22232‑1 - Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test equipment - Part 1: Instruments (aligned test methods)
• ISO 23243 - Ultrasonic testing with arrays - Vocabulary
• ISO 5577 - Ultrasonic testing - Vocabulary

For implementation: consult the full ISO 18563‑1:2022 document for detailed procedures, test equipment lists and exact acceptance values; obtain the standard from ISO or your national standards body.