Chapter 7: Non-destructive Testing Reference procedure

Date: J anuary 2011 1(2) 702en.pdf

Characterisation of X-Ray Film Systems for Non-Destructive Testing

Key words
Film system class, perceptibility of detail, gradient, granularity, microdensitometry

Quantities and items tested
Gradients, granularity, gradient to granularity ratio and sensitivity of industrial X-ray film systems
(film +chemicals +processing)

Testing range Uncertainty of results
Gradients at optical densities
D-D
o
=2.0 and 4.0
from 1 % to 5 %
Granularity at optical density
D-D
o
=2.0
from 1 % to 7 %
Gradient to granularity ratio at
D-D
o
=2.0
from 5 % to 10 %

Fields of application
- Measurement of the characteristic parameters of X-ray film systems with the aim of product surveillance and
certification
- Qualification and harmonisation of equipment by round robin tests according to standards EN 584-1,
ISO 11699-1 and ASTM E 1815
- Validation of test methods by supply of reference parameters

Methodology and instrumentation
X-ray films which are exposed and processed in a defined way are measured with calibrated densitometers and
microdensitometers; evaluation of data with refined algorithms excluding disturbing factors which are realized in
the round robin tests
Equipment: stabilized X-ray tube and time controled feed installation for exposure, two microdensitometers of
different type for mutual check of the results of measurements according to EN 584-1, ISO 11699-1,
ASTM E 1815.

Qualification and quality assurance
Extensive experience by sample test measurements carried out since years, quality assurance by periodically
repeated round robin tests and control by instruments of different construction.

Contact: Dr. Uwe Zscherpel Phone: +49 30 8104 3677
E-mail: uwe.zscherpel@bam.de Fax: +49 30 8104 1837
Division 8.3: Radiological Methods back to Catalogue of Reference
Procedures


Reference procedure Chapter 7: Non-destructive Testing
Date: J anuary 2011 2(2) 702en.pdf
Further information

The detection of flaws in materials by radiographic methods is interconnected with the quality of the radiographic
image (see figure) and this is determined in a decisive manner by the properties of the X-ray film system.
Therefore these properties have to be secured and checked with great care.

The quantities which are decisive for the quality of the image, as there are the gradients at the optical densities 2
and 4, the granularity and the gradient to granularity ratio are determined with the measuring procedures laid down
in the standards EN 584-1, ISO 11699-1 and ASTM E 1815.
Experience from comparison measurements of these quantities within a round robin test proves that the demands
of the standards on these methods still allow too large deviations between the results obtained in different
laboratories. By periodically repeated round robin tests initiated by BAM where the different components of the
devices, measuring steps and algorithms of the measuring methods will be tested with defined film samples, the
measuring procedures of the participants shall be harmonized and refined in all components according to the
results of the tests. The reference point is the measuring system of BAM which has been improved in preceding
round robin tests and which has been increased in the reliability of results by a second independent measuring
system.
In connection with the neutral position of BAM the provided measuring method is qualified to serve as reference
for measuring systems of third parties and to judge reliably the quality of X-ray film systems according to the film
system classes laid down in standard EN 584-1.




Figure: Example for the influence of film properties on the image quality: The images show from left to right the effect of increasing
granularity
D
on the perceptibility of cracks,
i.e. the loss of information