SIST-TP CEN ISO/ASTM TR 52905:2023 PDF

Overview

CEN ISO/ASTM TR 52905:2023 - Additive manufacturing of metals: Non‑destructive testing and evaluation - Defect detection in parts - provides a structured review and practical guidance on detecting defects in metal additive manufacturing (AM). The technical report focuses on Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) processes using laser and electron‑beam systems. It categorises AM‑specific defects, reviews relevant existing NDT standards, and outlines NDT methods and validation artefacts tailored to complex 3D AM geometries.

Key topics

• Defect classification for AM: origins, causes and classification strategies for porosity, lack of fusion, inclusions, delamination and AM‑specific anomalies.
• NDT methods reviewed: post‑process and in‑process techniques including X‑ray Computed Tomography (XCT), Neutron / Synchrotron imaging, Thermography Testing, Ultrasonic testing (UT / PAUT), Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) and residual stress characterisation (e.g., neutron diffraction).
• Standards review & selection: comparison of existing welding/casting NDT standards for applicability to AM and a structure for selecting appropriate standards for AM inspection.
• Validation and trials: design and use of AM artefacts (star and à‑la‑carte artefacts) for NDT method trials, parameter recommendations, and interpretation guidance.
• Two‑level NDT approach: strategy to combine general NDT practices with AM‑specific methods for improved detection confidence.

Practical applications

• Safety‑critical AM components: aerospace, medical implants, energy and defence parts where defect detection and residual stress assessment are essential.
• Quality assurance & certification: establishing inspection regimes to meet production acceptance criteria and regulatory expectations.
• Reverse engineering and complex geometries: verifying as‑built vs requested geometries and internal integrity in intricate lattice or conformal structures.
• R&D and NDT method development: benchmarking new NDT tools and parameters using defined AM artefacts and documented trial procedures.

Who should use this standard

• AM producers and machine operators
• NDT engineers and laboratory managers
• Certification bodies and test houses
• Design and quality engineers developing AM parts
• Researchers validating NDT techniques for metal AM

Related standards and context

• Drawn from the ISO/ASTM partnership on AM standards and coordinated with CEN/TC 438.
• Reviews existing NDT standards for welding and casting to identify reusable practices and gaps for AM‑specific standardization.

CEN ISO/ASTM TR 52905:2023 is a practical reference for integrating established NDT techniques with AM‑tailored inspection strategies to improve defect detection and build confidence in metal additive manufacturing.