Radiography
Radiographic Testing (RT) is a nondestructive examination (NDE) technique that involves the use of either x-rays or gamma rays to view a non-uniform material. Radiographic testing is often used to view machinery, such as pressure vessels and valves to detect for flaws. The type of radiation used, gamma or x-ray, is largely dependant on the size of the part being tested.
Compared to other techniques, radiography has several advantages. It is highly reproducible and the data gathered can be stored for later analysis. Moreover, radiography is an effective tool for testing a number of different materials, not much surface preparation is required, and radiographic systems are portable and thus can be used in the field and elevated positions.
There are numerous types of radiographic testing including conventional radiography, computer aided radiography, digital radiography, and real time radiography. Each works slightly differently and has its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
- Conventional Radiography uses a sensitive film which reacts to the emitted radiation to capture an image of the part being tested. This image can then be examined for evidence of damage or flaws.
- Digital Radiography doesn’t use film, unlike conventional radiography. It uses a digital capture device to create digital images. It allows for a much shorter exposure time, so that the images can be looked at more quickly.
- Computer Aided Radiography uses computer based image processing tools to enhance and manipulate RTR images in order to improve resolution and focus on areas of interest in a digital radiograph.
- Real Time Radiography, like its name suggests, occurs in real time. This process uses a phosphor screen or flat panel to create a real time image of the part being inspected which can be examined as it is being tested. While this method tends to be more convenient than the others, the images tend to be of lower quality.
Related Topics
Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) Advanced Ultrasonic Backscatter Technique (AUBT) Eddy Current Array (ECA) Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMAT) Guided Wave Ultrasonics (GWUT) Infrared Thermography (IT) Infrared Thermometry Liquid Penetrant Examination (LPE) Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT) Meandering Winding Magnetometer Array (MWMA) Pulse Reflectometry Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) Thermography Ultrasonic Testing (UT)STAY INFORMED WITH RELEVANT INDUSTRY CONTENT
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July/August 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The structural integrity of components is controlled by material properties, the presence of flaws, and levels of applied stress. Several factors such as temperature, type of loading, toughness, corrosion resistance, micro-structural stability, cost etc. dictate the suitable material for the desired application.
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BlogMay 4, 2015
Because radiography involves the use of large amounts ionizing radiation, safety is integral for the technician, the public, and the environment.
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ana Benz at IRISNDT, Michael O. Nichols at Marathon Petroleum Company, and Bradley Baudier at Marathon Petroleum Company LP
This article provides a discussion of a recent inspection performed at a U.S. refinery. Industry HF lines are experiencing piping failures in increasing numbers due to the presence of residual elements (such as Cr, Ni, and Cu among others) entrained within their carbon steel components.
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Rajesh Bose at BP, and Terry M. Webb at BP
The introduction of PAUT is a challenging effort initially, but can have a very positive impact on your first TAR and become a routine inspection for future TARs. When fully implemented, radiation safety boundaries can be reduced significantly or eliminated altogether.
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Kelsey Hevner at Quest Integrity Group
Steam reformers are critical assets for the successful operation of hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol plants. The steam reformer is also one of the most expensive assets in these facilities. Catalyst tubes inside the reformer are one of the most important and costly components.
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BlogDecember 15, 2014 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
Over recent years large strides have been made in application, development, and utilization of Digital Detector Arrays (DDAs) in field radiography environments. The use of industrial digital radiography shows benefits of significantly reduced exposure times versus traditional film and computed radiography techniques.
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November/December 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard Mills at GE, John T. Iman at GE Oil and Gas Measurement & Controls-Inspection Technology, and Martin Sauerschnig at GE Oil and Gas Measurement and Control
Over recent years large strides have been made in application, development, and utilization of Digital Detector Arrays (DDAs) in field radiography environments (an application previously limited to film and computed radiography [CR] techniques).
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November/December 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jan Verkooijen at TUV Rheinland Sonovation
To understand the current non-destructive testing (NDT) world, it is perhaps a good idea to look back at things historically. By doing this, changes which have taken place become apparent, and very soon one can conclude that this is actually quite significant!
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September/October 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and K.K. Abdulla at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is used in imaging science to assess the reliability of imaging systems to produce different spatial frequency. In digital radiography, it can be used to detect frequency responses of different inspection conditions.
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January/February 2013 Inspectioneering JournalBy A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
This article is the third of a series of articles that will focus on one critical sub process within a PEIP that is key in managing the integrity of process piping: thickness monitoring programs for internal corrosion. These articles will discuss what constitutes an effective piping thickness monitoring process and will present several practices that may be new to some readers, but these practices have produced beneficial results in other major piping reliability programs.
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November/December 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and S. Anantharaman at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Radiography technique is one of the most widely utilized non-destructive methods, used in industry to evaluate the structural integrity or find out the hidden details of an assembled structure. Since this method uses ionizing radiation, it is important to ensure not only the quality of product, but also the safety of the technician and the general public, as well as the protection of the environment.
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May/June 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Jason Butz at SAIT Polytechnic
Over the past 100 years, Nondestructive testing has made tremendous advances. New NDT methods have been introduced, while old "tried and true" methods continue to be improved. Although some NDT methods have drastically changed or "evolved" over time, the principle behind each method has remained the same; "To ensure the safety and integrity of manufactured items or goods."
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November/December 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, B.K. Shah at BARC, and D. Mukherjee at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Rapid industrial and technological growth throughout the world makes it necessary to develop new materials along with advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods to ensure their quality without premature failures. The complex modern system, where materials are required to perform consistently with optimum efficiency, demands stringent quality control of engineered components.
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July/August 2010 Inspectioneering JournalBy Santhosh Lukose at Metalcare Inspection Services Inc.
CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation) has always been a challenge for plant operators, quality assurance/reliability engineers and equipment owners. It is hard to identify the problem until it has become an emergency situation, often leading to unit shut downs or even the whole facility shut down for emergency repairs.
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November/December 2008 Inspectioneering JournalBy Charles L. Foster at Pacific Gas & Electric
A picture is worth a thousand words and thousands of dollars. There are many instances where in-service inspection reports are greatly enhanced by including photographic documentation. Using a conventional high quality 35 mm camera requires cumbersome amounts of equipment and consumes a lot of time. Developing film ASAP is an additional trip away from the inspection site and is an immediate necessity to insure picture quality before the area is no longer accessible. The inspector must then paste these acceptable photos onto report pages and make another trip to obtain color copies for the report.
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July/August 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy Sanjoy Das at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and B.K. Shah at BARC
Radiography is the most widely used volumetric examination technique for non-destructive evaluation of components, as it offers the advantage of direct viewing of the flaw image, judging the type of flaw and provides a permanent record. Flaw characterization methods, described by size, shape & Location, require classification of the type or nature of flaw, position of flaw and flaw severity. Accurate sizing of the flaw to assess its severity is important. ISO Guide 25 "General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories" (1990), requires one to specify the uncertainty of each measurement. In radiography there are several factors which contributes to uncertainty for quantitive measurement. This paper describes a study undertaken to calculate the uncertainty in flaw sizing and to estimate the real size of discontinuities observed in radiography.
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March/April 1999 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
Some Middle Eastern and European operators are now using AE successfully to screen tanks for internal inspection by listening for active tank bottom corrosion, and then grading the tank as high, medium or low need for internal inspection.
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November/December 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dave Palmbach at DBA Systems, Inc.
Radiographic film provides an inexpensive method of ensuring the quality and structural integrity of construction over time. Much of today's analysis being performed with Non Destructive Test (NDT) radiographic film is done visually using light boxes.
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September/October 1997 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This is the fourth in a series of articles on piping inspection that I'm writing for the Journal. One of the previous ones dealt with improving thickness data taking accuracy with digital ultrasonic methods. This article is a "sister article" that deals with improving the accuracy of profile radiographic inspection techniques, also called isotope radiography, wall shots, or tangential radiographic inspection.
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September/October 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dr. Nand K. Gupta at Omega International Technology, Inc.
In May 1995, Omega International Technology, Inc., began testing a new system to measure pipe wall thicknesses using digital radiography (RT) scanning. This new system has the potential for being faster, less labor intensive, and shown improved accuracy over traditional ultrasound testing, and at a lower cost. Perhaps best of all, scanning can be performed while the pipe is in service, insulation in place.
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Press ReleaseIntertek Group plc, November 19, 2013
Intertek Group plc (Intertek), the leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries, announces that it has acquired Global X-Ray & Testing Corporation (GXT), a leading provider of non-destructive testing (NDT) services to the oil and gas industries.
