ISO 5577-2025 PDF

Full title and description

ST ISO 5577-2025 — Non‑destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Vocabulary. This 2025 edition (Edition 3) updates and replaces earlier editions to provide a single, consistent set of terms and definitions used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing (NDT). The document is intended as the authoritative vocabulary for general ultrasonic NDT practice and for standards that reference ultrasonic terminology.

Abstract

This standard defines the terms used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing and provides a common basis for standards and general use. It explicitly does not cover specific terms used for ultrasonic testing with arrays (those terms are covered in ISO 23243). The vocabulary supports consistent communication between practitioners, equipment manufacturers, certification bodies and standards committees.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 30 September 2025.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 19.100 (Non‑destructive testing); 01.040.19 (Testing — Vocabularies).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2025).
• Number of pages: 44 pages.

(General information as published by ISO and national adoption notices.)

Scope

This document establishes and defines terms used in ultrasonic non‑destructive testing to form a common vocabulary for standards and general use. It covers general ultrasonic concepts, equipment, signals, measurement quantities and common techniques. It does not include terms specific to ultrasonic testing using arrays; those are defined in ISO 23243.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized definitions for core ultrasonic NDT terms (e.g., transducer/probe, beam, pulse‑echo, through‑transmission, coupling medium, attenuation, reflection, diffraction).
• Terms for measurement quantities and signal descriptors (e.g., amplitude, time‑of‑flight, resolution, sensitivity, signal‑to‑noise ratio).
• Vocabulary covering common inspection techniques and configurations used in ultrasonic testing (e.g., immersion testing, contact testing, immersion tanks, scanning).
• Clarification of terms used for calibration, reference standards and measurement procedures to support consistent reporting and interpretation.
• Explicit exclusion of array‑specific vocabulary — users are referred to ISO 23243 for phased‑array/array terminology.

These topics reflect the document’s role as a normative vocabulary to be referenced by method, procedure and equipment standards.

Typical use and users

Primary users are NDT practitioners and inspectors, NDT engineers, equipment manufacturers, training and certification bodies, standards committees and technical authors. Typical uses include harmonizing terminology in inspection procedures, training materials, certification schemes, product documentation and other standards that reference ultrasonic testing vocabulary.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 23243 (Ultrasonic testing with arrays — Vocabulary), ISO 9712 (Qualification and certification of NDT personnel), and other NDT vocabulary standards such as ISO 12718 (Eddy current testing — Vocabulary). The standard sits within the ISO/TC 135 family of NDT standards and is intended to be used alongside method‑specific and personnel standards.

Keywords

ultrasonic testing, NDT, vocabulary, terminology, transducer, pulse‑echo, through‑transmission, beam, attenuation, calibration, ISO 5577, ultrasonic vocabulary, phased array (see ISO 23243).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 5577:2025 is the international vocabulary standard for ultrasonic non‑destructive testing, providing authoritative definitions of terms used in general ultrasonic NDT practice.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers general ultrasonic NDT terminology — equipment, signal descriptors, measurement quantities, common techniques and calibration/reporting terms. It does not cover array‑specific terms (phased‑array/array terms are in ISO 23243).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT inspectors and engineers, equipment manufacturers, training and certification bodies, standards committees and authors of inspection procedures — anyone who needs consistent, standardized ultrasonic terminology.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 5577:2025 (Edition 3) was published in 2025 and replaces the previous ISO 5577:2017 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the suite of ISO standards for non‑destructive testing (ISO/TC 135). Related vocabulary standards include ISO 23243 (ultrasonic testing with arrays), ISO 12718 (eddy current testing vocabulary) and other method‑specific NDT standards; it complements personnel and procedural standards such as ISO 9712.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ultrasonic testing, vocabulary, NDT, transducer, pulse‑echo, through‑transmission, beam, attenuation, calibration, ISO 5577.