Overview
SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 establishes the general principles for the ultrasonic testing of industrial products that permit transmission of ultrasound. Developed by CEN in alignment with ISO 16810:2024, this standard provides a solid foundation for the application of non-destructive testing (NDT) across a wide range of industries. By detailing the minimum applicable requirements, it helps organizations ensure quality, consistency, and safety in ultrasonic inspections, while allowing for more specific directives through related product standards, specifications, codes, and procedural documents.
Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a versatile non-destructive technique used to detect internal flaws, measure thickness, and assess material properties without damaging the tested objects. SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 covers the fundamental methods and equipment required for effective ultrasonic testing, making it relevant for manufacturers, inspection bodies, and quality assurance professionals worldwide.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Defines the boundaries for UT on products that allow ultrasound transmission, excluding scan plans and acceptance criteria.
- Personnel qualifications: Requires test personnel to be qualified per ISO 9712 or similar standards specified in product-specific documents.
- Testing principles: Explains both pulse-echo and through-transmission techniques, which form the basis of conventional and advanced ultrasonic testing methods.
- Equipment requirements:
- Probes: Selection, frequency, dimensions, and considerations like dead zones and damping.
- Instruments: Compliance with ISO 22232-1 and ISO 22232-2 for verification and characterization.
- Couplants and standard/reference blocks: Proper selection to ensure reliable coupling and calibration.
- Test procedure: Preparation, sensitivity setting, surface condition, identification, scanning methodology, and recording.
- Reporting: Specifies the need for accurate documentation of test conditions, results, and any applied corrections.
While SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 details conventional probe-based ultrasonic testing, its general principles also apply to ultrasonic array techniques, though these may require additional procedural steps.
Applications
SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 is routinely applied in sectors where internal integrity is critical and non-destructive evaluation is essential, such as:
- Manufacturing: Testing welds, castings, and forgings for structural integrity.
- Aerospace: Inspecting aircraft components for fatigue cracks or discontinuities.
- Energy & Utilities: Assessing pipelines, pressure vessels, and storage tanks for corrosion or defects.
- Automotive: Detecting sub-surface flaws in critical safety parts.
- Construction: Ensuring quality and longevity of metal and concrete structural elements.
Adhering to this standard supports regulatory compliance, enhances product quality, minimizes the risk of failures, and optimizes maintenance strategies by enabling early detection of flaws.
Related Standards
SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 acts as a core reference for ultrasonic testing within non-destructive testing frameworks. Essential companions and related documents include:
- ISO 16811 - Sensitivity and range setting for ultrasonic testing
- ISO 16823 - Through-transmission technique
- ISO 16826 - Detection of discontinuities perpendicular to the surface
- ISO 16827 - Characterization and sizing of discontinuities
- ISO 16828 - Time-of-flight diffraction technique
- ISO 2400 / ISO 7963 - Specification and use of calibration (standard) blocks
- ISO 9712 - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
- ISO 5577 - Non-destructive testing vocabulary
Following SIST EN ISO 16810:2025 ensures compatibility and interoperability with international NDT requirements, facilitating streamlined operations across borders and industries. For best results, it is recommended to address specific scan plans and acceptance criteria through supplemental standards or project-specific instructions.
