Overview
ISO 10880:2017 - Non-destructive testing - Infrared thermographic testing - General principles - defines general principles for using infrared thermographic testing in industrial non‑destructive testing (NDT). The standard provides guidance on personnel qualifications, equipment selection and setup, test environment control, measurement fundamentals (including emissivity), imaging methods, signal/image correction, and documentation/reporting to ensure consistent, reliable thermal imaging inspections.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Personnel: TT (thermographic testing) personnel must have knowledge of infrared measurement and heat‑transfer basics and meet visual acuity and colour‑vision requirements referenced to ISO 9712.
- Equipment: Select an appropriate infrared camera with suitable detector type, spatial resolution (instantaneous field of view), temperature range, temperature resolution/accuracy, frame/exposure time, and wavelength sensitivity. Accessories (lenses, filters, mirrors, software) must be accounted for in calibration and corrections.
- Active vs Passive Thermography:
- Passive thermography inspects emitted thermal radiation without external stimulation (e.g., operating electrical equipment, solar loading).
- Active thermography requires controlled thermal stimulation (optical, sonic, inductive, microwave, etc.); heating/cooling intensity must match camera performance and material thermal properties without damaging the test object.
- Measurement fundamentals: Correct for emissivity, reflected ambient temperature, and any transmission/absorption by intervening media (water vapour, CO2, window materials). If surface emissivity is low or non‑uniform, apply matte coatings or attach high‑emissivity membranes; surface roughening or oxidation are alternatives.
- Imaging practice: Use non‑uniformity correction, verify field of view and spatial resolution (distance/lens), maintain an observation angle ≤45° (≤60° acceptable), set optimal temperature range and display span, and choose frame/exposure times suited to defect detection. Infrared‑reflecting mirrors may be used for hard‑to‑access views.
- Reporting: Document test procedures, equipment settings, environmental conditions, image processing steps, and produce a formal test report as part of NDT procedure/instructions.
Applications and who uses the standard
ISO 10880:2017 is applicable to industrial NDT across sectors such as:
- Power plants and electrical distribution (hot‑spot detection)
- Building and structural inspections (insulation defects, moisture)
- Electronic components and assemblies (thermal anomalies)
- Industrial materials and manufacturing quality control
Typical users: NDT technicians and engineers, maintenance inspectors, condition‑monitoring specialists, third‑party inspection bodies, and organizations implementing thermal imaging programs.
Related standards
- ISO 9712 - Non‑destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
- ISO 10878 - Non‑destructive testing - Infrared thermography - Vocabulary
Keywords: ISO 10880, infrared thermographic testing, NDT, thermal imaging, infrared camera, emissivity, active thermography, passive thermography.
