ASTM E1255-96

Standard Practice for Radioscopy

SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides application details for radioscopic examination using penetrating radiation. This includes dynamic radioscopy and for the purposes of this practice, radioscopy where there is no motion of the object during exposure (referred to as static radioscopic imaging). Since the techniques involved and the applications for radioscopic examination are diverse, this practice is not intended to be limiting or restrictive, but rather to address the general applications of the technology and thereby facilitate it's use. Refer to Guides E 94 and E 1000, Terminology E 1316, Practice E 747, Practice E 1025, and Fed. Std. Nos. 21 CFR 1020.40 and 29 CFR 1910.96 for a list of documents that provide additional information and guidance.
1.2 The general principles discussed in this practice apply broadly to penetrating radiation radioscopic systems. However, this document is written specifically for use with X-ray and gamma-ray systems. Other radioscopic systems, such as those employing neutrons, will involve equipment and application details unique to such systems.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific safety statements, see Section 8 and Fed. Std. Nos. 21 CFR 1020.40 and 29 CFR 1910.96.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-1996
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.01 - Radiography (X and Gamma) Method

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1255-96(2002) - Standard Practice for Radioscopy
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1742/E1742M-18 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E2533-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Polymer Matrix Composites Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1931-16(2022) - Standard Guide for Non-computed X-Ray Compton Scatter Tomography
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1161-21 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination of Semiconductors and Electronic Components
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E543-21 - Standard Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1165-20 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Focal Spots of Industrial X-Ray Tubes by Pinhole Imaging
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E2662-15(2022) - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1411-16 - Standard Practice for Qualification of Radioscopic Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1475-13(2023) - Standard Guide for Data Fields for Computerized Transfer of Digital Radiological Examination Data
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1416-23 - Standard Practice for Radioscopic Examination of Weldments
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E2982-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Thin-Walled Metallic Liners in Filament-Wound Pressure Vessels Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E3166-20e1 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Metal Additively Manufactured Aerospace Parts After Build
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1734-23 - Standard Practice for Radioscopic Examination of Castings
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM E1647-16(2022) - Standard Practice for Determining Contrast Sensitivity in Radiology
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1255 – 96 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Radioscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
2.2 ASNT Standard:
1.1 This practice provides application details for radio-
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
scopic examination using penetrating radiation. This includes
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
dynamic radioscopy and for the purposes of this practice,
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certi-
radioscopy where there is no motion of the test object during
fication of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
exposure (referred to as static radioscopic imaging). Since the
2.3 Federal Standards:
techniques involved and the applications for radioscopic ex-
21 CFR 1020.40 Safety Requirements of Cabinet X-Ray
amination are diverse, this practice is not intended to be
Systems
limiting or restrictive, but rather to address the general appli-
29 CFR 1910.96 Ionizing Radiation
cations of the technology and thereby facilitate it’s use. Refer
2.4 National Council on Radiation Protection and Mea-
to Guides E 94 and E 1000, Terminology E 1316, Practice
surement (NCRP) Standard:
E 747, Practice E 1025, and Fed. Std. Nos. 21 CFR 1020.40
NCRP 49 Structural Shielding Design and Evaluation for
and 29 CFR 1910.96 for a list of documents that provide
Medical Use of X Rays and Gamma Rays of Energies Up
additional information and guidance.
to 10 MeV
1.2 The general principles discussed in this practice apply
broadly to penetrating radiation radioscopic systems. However,
3. Summary of Practice
this document is written specifically for use with X-ray and
3.1 Manual evaluation as well as computer-aided automated
gamma-ray systems. Other radioscopic systems, such as those
radioscopic examination systems are used in a wide variety of
employing neutrons, will involve equipment and application
penetrating radiation examination applications. A simple
details unique to such systems.
manual evaluation radioscopic examination system might con-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sist of a radiation source and a directly viewed fluorescent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
screen, suitably enclosed in a radiation protective enclosure. At
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the other extreme, a complex automated radioscopic examina-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tion system might consist of an X-ray source, a robotic test part
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific safety
manipulator, a radiation protective enclosure, an electronic
statements, see Section 8 and Fed. Std. Nos. 21 CFR 1020.40
image detection system, a closedcircuit television image trans-
and 29 CFR 1910.96.
mission system, a digital image processor, a video display, and
2. Referenced Documents a digital image archiving system. All system components are
supervised by the host computer, which incorporates the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
software necessary to not only operate the system components,
E 94 Guide for Radiographic Testing
but to make accept/reject decisions as well. Systems having a
E 747 Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material
wide range of capabilities between these extremes can be
Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators
3 assembled using available components. Guide E 1000 lists
(IQI) Used for Radiology
many different system configurations.
E 1000 Guide for Radioscopy
3.2 This practice provides details for applying radioscopic
E 1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
examination techniques, however, supplemental requirements
Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality Indi-
3 are necessary to address areas that are application and perfor-
cators (IQI) Used for Radiology
mance specific. Annex A1 and Annex A2 provide the detailed
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on
Available from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlin-
Radiology (X and Gamma) Method.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published May 1996. Originally gate Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228.
published as E 1255 – 88. Last previous edition E 1255 – 92b. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Practice Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
SE-1255 in Section II of that code. Available from NCRP Publications, 7010 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1016, Be-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. thesda, MD 20814.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1255
supplemental requirements for government contracts (Annex system components and configuration utilized to achieve the
A1) and nongovernment contracts (Annex A2). prescribed test results must be carefully selected.
5.2 Practice:
4. Significance and Use
5.2.1 The purchaser and supplier for radioscopic examina-
4.1 As with conventional radiography, radioscopic exami-
tion services shall mutually agree upon a written procedure
nation is broadly applicable to any material or test object
using the applicable annex of supplemental requirements and
through which a beam of penetrating radiation may be passed
also consider the following general requirements.
and detected including metals, plastics, ceramics, composite,
5.2.1.1 Equipment Qualifications—A listing of the system
and other nonmetallic materials. In addition to the benefits
features that must be qualified to ensure that the system is
normally associated with radiography, radioscopic examination
may be either a dynamic, filmless technique allowing the test capable of performing the desired radioscopic examination
part to be manipulated and imaging parameters optimized task.
while the test object is undergoing examination, or a static,
5.2.1.2 Test Object Scan Plan for Dynamic Radioscopy—A
filmless technique wherein the test part is stationary with
listing of test object orientations, ranges of motions, and
respect to the X-ray beam. Recent technology advances in the
manipulation speeds through which the test object must be
area of projection imaging, detectors, and digital image pro-
manipulated to ensure satisfactory examination.
cessing provide acceptable sensitivity for a wide range of
5.2.1.3 Radioscopic Parameters—A listing of all the radia-
applications.
tion source-related variables that can affect the examination
outcome for the selected system configuration such as: source
5. Equipment and Procedure
energy, intensity, focal spot size, range of source to object
5.1 System Configuration—Many different radioscopic ex-
distances, range of object to image plane distances, and source
amination systems configurations are possible, and it is impor-
to image plane distances.
tant to understand the advantages and limitations of each. It is
important that the optimum radioscopic examination system be 5.2.1.4 Image Processing Parameters—A listing of all the
selected for each examination requirement through a careful image processing variables necessary to enhance fine detail
analysis of the benefits and limitations of the available system detectability in the test object and to achieve the required
components and the chosen system configuration. The provider
sensitivity level. These would include, but are not limited to,
as well as the user of the radioscopic examination services
techniques such as noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and
should be fully aware of the capabilities and limitations of the
spatial filtering. Great care should be exercised in the selection
radioscopic examination system that is proposed for examina-
of directional image processing parameters such as spatial
tion of the test object. The provider and the user of radioscopic
filtering, which may emphasize features in certain orientations
examination services shall agree upon the system configuration
and suppress them in others. The listing should indicate the
to be used for each radioscopic examination application under
means for qualifying image processing parameters.
consideration, and how its performance is to be evaluated.
5.2.1.5 Image Display Parameters—A listing of the tech-
5.1.1 The minimum radioscopic examination system con-
niques and the intervals at which they are to be applied for
figuration will include an appropriate source of penetrating
standardizing the video image display as to brightness, con-
radiation, a means for positioning the test object within the
trast, focus, and linearity.
radiation beam, in the case of dynamic radioscopy, and a
5.2.1.6 Accept-Reject Criteria—A listing of the expected
detection system. The system may be as simple as a directly
kinds of test object imperfections and the rejection level for
viewed fluorescent screen with suitable radiation shielding for
each.
personnel protection that meets applicable radiation safety
codes.
5.2.1.7 Performance Evaluation—A listing of the qualifica-
5.1.2 A more complex system might include the following
tion tests and the intervals at which they are to be applied to
components:
ensure that the radioscopic examination system is suitable for
5.1.2.1 A microfocus X-ray system to facilitate high-
its intended purpose.
resolution projection imaging,
5.2.1.8 Image Archiving Requirements—A listing of the
5.1.2.2 A multiple axis test part manipulation system to
requirements, if any, for preserving a historical record of the
provide dynamic, full volumetric test part manipulation under
examination results. The listing may include examination
operator joystick or automated program control, for dynamic
images along with written or electronically recorded alphanu-
radioscopy,
meric or audio narrative information, or both, sufficient to
5.1.2.3 An electronic imaging system to display a bright,
allow subsequent reevaluation or repetition of the radioscopic
two-dimensional gray-scale image of the test part at the
examination.
operator’s control console,
5.2.1.9 Operator Qualifications—Nondestructive testing
5.1.2.4 A digital image processing system to perform image
(NDT) personnel shall be qualified in accordance with a
enhancement and image evaluation functions,
nationally recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or
5.1.2.5 An archival quality image recording system, and
5.1.2.6 A radiation protective enclosure with appropriate a standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC, MIL STD-
410, or a similar document, to the level appropriate for the
safety interlocks and a radiation warning system.
5.1.3 Whether a simple or a complex system is used, the performance of the listed radioscopic examination.
E 1255
6. Radioscopic Examination System Performance element. It has the function of converting the radiation input
Considerations and Measurement signal containing test part information, into a corresponding
optical or electronic output signal while preserving the maxi-
6.1 Factors Affecting System Performance—Total radio-
mum amount of test object information. The detector may be of
scopic examination system performance is determined by the
one-dimensional design, providing test part information one
combined performance of the system components that includes
line at a time, or may be a two-dimensional area detector
the radiation source, manipulation system (for dynamic radios-
providing an area field of view.
copy), detection system, information processing system, image
6.1.4 Information Processing of System:
display, automatic evaluation system, and examination record
6.1.4.1 The function of the information processing system is
archiving system.
to take the output of the detection system and present a useful
6.1.1 Radiation Sources—While the radioscopic examina-
image for display and operator interpretation, or for automatic
tion systems may utilize either radioisotope or X-ray sources,
evaluation. The information processing system may take many
X-radiation is used for most radioscopic examination applica-
different forms, and may process analog or digital information,
tions. This is due to the energy spectrum of the X-radiation that
or a combination of the two.
contains a blend of contrast enhancing longer wavelengths, as
6.1.4.2 The information processing system includes all of
well as the more penetrating, shorter wavelengths. X-radiation
the optics, electronics, and interfaces after the detection system
is adjustable in energy and intensity to meet the radioscopic
to and including the image display and automatic evaluation
examination test requirements, and has the added safety feature
system. Information system components include such devices
of discontinued radiation production when switched off. A
as lenses, fiber optic couplings, light amplifiers, video cameras,
radioisotope source has the advantages of small physical size,
image processors, and in general any device that processes
portability, simplicity, and uniformity of output.
radioscopic examination information after the detection sys-
6.1.1.1 X-ray machines produce a more intense X-ray beam
tem.
emanating from a smaller focal spot than do radioisotope
6.1.4.3 The digital image processing system warrants spe-
sources. X-ray focal spot sizes range from a few millimetres
cial attention, since it is the means by which radioscopic
down to a few micrometres. Reducing the source size reduces
examination information may be enhanced. Great care must be
geometric unsharpness, thereby enhancing detail sensitivity.
exercised in determining which image processing techniques
X-ray sources may offer multiple or variable focal spot sizes.
are most beneficial for the particular application. Directional
Smaller focal spots produce higher resolution and provide
spatial filtering operations, for example, must be given special
reduced X-ray beam intensity, while larger focal spots provide
attention as certain feature orientations are emphasized while
higher X-ray intensity and produce lower resolution. Microfo-
others are suppressed. While many digital image processing
cus X-ray tubes are available with focal spots that may be
operations occur sufficiently fast to follow time-dependent
adjusted to as small as a few micrometres in dia
...