ASTM E746-23
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems below 4 MeV
Standard Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems below 4 MeV
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This standard provides a practice for RIQR evaluations of film and non-film imaging systems when exposed through an absorber material. Three alternate data evaluation methods are provided in Section 9. Determining RIQR requires the comparison of at least two radiographs or radiographic processes whereby the relative degree of image quality difference may be determined using the EPS plaque arrangement of Fig. 1 as a relative image quality indicator (RIQI). In conjunction with the RIQI, a specified radiographic technique or method must be established and carefully controlled for each radiographic process. This practice is designed to allow the determination of subtle changes in EPS that may arise to radiographic imaging system performance levels resultant from process improvements/changes or change of equipment attributes. This practice does not address relative unsharpness of a radiographic imaging system as provided in Practice E2002. The common element with any relative comparison is the use of the same RIQI arrangement for both processes under evaluation.
4.2 In addition to the standard evaluation method described in Section 9, there may be other techniques/methods in which the basic RIQR arrangement of Fig. 1 might be utilized to perform specialized assessments of relative image quality performance. For example, other radiographic variables can be altered to facilitate evaluations provided these differences are known and documented for both processes. Where multiple radiographic process variables are evaluated, it is incumbent upon the user of this practice to control those normal process attributes to the degree suitable for the application. Specialized RIQR techniques may also be useful with micro focus X-ray, isotope sources of radiation or with the use of non-film radiographic imaging systems. RIQR may also be useful in evaluating imaging systems with alternate materials (RIQI and base plate) such as plastic, copper-nickel, or aluminum. When using any ...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers a practice whereby industrial radiographic imaging systems or techniques may be comparatively assessed using the concept of relative image quality response (RIQR). Changes within a radiographic technique such as film/detector types, distances, or filtering/collimation can be comparatively assessed using this standard. The RIQR method presented within this practice is based upon the use of equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described within Practice E1025 and subsection 5.4 of this practice. Fig. 1 illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has four different plaque thicknesses (0.38 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.20 mm, and 0.13 mm (0.015 in., 0.010 in., 0.008 in., and 0.005 in.)) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on an absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The four plaques contain a total of 14 different arrays of penetrameter-type hole sizes designed to render varied conditions of threshold visibility when exposed to the appropriate radiation. Each “EPS” array consists of 30 identical holes; thus, providing the user with a quantity of threshold sensitivity levels suitable for relative image qualitative response comparisons. There are two standard materials (steel and plastic) specified herein for the RIQI and absorber. For special applications the user may design a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration; however the RIQI configuration shall be controlled by a drawing similar to Fig. 1. Use of a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration shall be described in the user’s written technique and approved by the CEO.
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or derive performance classification categories for radiog...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E746 − 23
Standard Practice for
Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial
1
Radiographic Imaging Systems below 4 MeV
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E746; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope radiographic film systems may be found within Test Method
E1815, and manufacturer characterization of computed radiog-
1.1 This standard covers a practice whereby industrial
raphy (CR) systems may be found in Practice E2446. However,
radiographic imaging systems or techniques may be compara-
the RIQI and absorber described in this practice are used by
tively assessed using the concept of relative image quality
Practice E2446 for manufacturer characterization of computed
response (RIQR). Changes within a radiographic technique
radiography (CR) systems and by Practice E2445 to evaluate
such as film/detector types, distances, or filtering/collimation
performance and to monitor long term stability of CR systems.
can be comparatively assessed using this standard. The RIQR
method presented within this practice is based upon the use of 1.4 These tests are for applications below 4 MeV. When a
equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described within gamma source or other high energy source is used, these tests
Practice E1025 and subsection 5.4 of this practice. Fig. 1 may still be used to characterize the system, but may need a
illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has modification of the absorber thickness to adjust the available
four different plaque thicknesses (0.38 mm, 0.25 mm, RIQR range as agreed between the user and cognizant engi-
0.20 mm, and 0.13 mm (0.015 in., 0.010 in., 0.008 in., and neering organization (CEO). For high-energy X-ray applica-
0.005 in.)) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on an tions (4 MV to 25 MV), Test Method E1735 provides a similar
absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The four RIQR standard practice.
plaques contain a total of 14 different arrays of penetrameter-
1.5 The values stated in SI are to be regarded as the
type hole sizes designed to render varied conditions of thresh-
standard.
old visibility when exposed to the appropriate radiation. Each
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
“EPS” array consists of 30 identical holes; thus, providing the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
user with a quantity of threshold sensitivity levels suitable for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
relative image qualitative response comparisons. There are two
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
standard materials (steel and plastic) specified herein for the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
RIQI and absorber. For special applications the user may
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
design a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration; however
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the RIQI configuration shall be controlled by a drawing similar
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
to Fig. 1. Use of a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
shall be described in the user’s written technique and approved
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
by the CEO.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance
of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a
2. Referenced Documents
radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
B152/B152M Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate,
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or
and Rolled Bar
derive performance classification categories for radiographic
E999 Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Radio-
imaging systems. For example, performance classifications of
graphic Film Processing
E1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on
2
Radiology (X and Gamma) Method. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally contact
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E746 − 18 E746 − 23
Standard Practice for
Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial
1
Radiographic Imaging Systems below 4 MeV
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E746; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This standard providescovers a practice whereby industrial radiographic imaging systems or techniques may be comparatively
assessed using the concept of relative image quality response (RIQR). Changes within a radiographic technique such as
film/detector types, distances, or filtering/collimation can be comparatively assessed using this standard. The RIQR method
presented within this practice is based upon the use of equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described within Practice E1025
and subsection 5.35.4 of this practice. Figure 1Fig. 1 illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has four different
plaque thicknesses (0.015, 0.010, 0.008, and 0.005 in.)(0.38 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.20 mm, and 0.13 mm (0.015 in., 0.010 in., 0.008 in.,
and 0.005 in.)) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on an absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The four
plaques contain a total of 14 different arrays of penetrameter-type hole sizes designed to render varied conditions of threshold
visibility when exposed to the appropriate radiation. Each “EPS” array consists of 30 identical holes; thus, providing the user with
a quantity of threshold sensitivity levels suitable for relative image qualitative response comparisons. There are two standard
materials (steel and plastic) specified herein for the RIQI and absorber. For special applications the user may design a non-standard
RIQI-absorber configuration; however the RIQI configuration shall be controlled by a drawing similar to Fig. 1. Use of a
non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration shall be described in the user’s written technique and approved by the CEO.
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a
radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or derive performance classification categories for radiographic imaging
systems. For example, performance classifications of radiographic film systems may be found within Test Method E1815, and
manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR) systems may be found in Practice E2446. However, the RIQI and
absorber described in this practice are used by Practice E2446 for manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR)
systems and by Practice E2445 to evaluate performance and to monitor long term stability of CR systems.
1.4 These tests are for applications below 4 MeV. When a gamma source or other high energy source is used, these tests may still
be used to characterize the system, but may need a modification of the absorber thickness to adjust the available RIQR range as
agreed between the user and cognizant engineering organization (CEO). For high-energy X-ray applications (4(4 MV to 25
MeV),MV), Test Method E1735 provides a similar RIQR standard practice.
1.5 The values stated in SI are to be regarded as the standard.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on Radiology (X and
Gamma) Method.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018Dec. 1, 2023. Published February 2018January 2024. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
E746E746 – 18. -17. DOI: 10.1520/E0746-18.10.1520/E0746-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E746 − 23
Step Identification Shim Thickness, mm (in.) Hole Identification Hole Size, mm (in.)
15 0.38 ± 0.012 (0.015 ± 0.0005) 32 0.81 ± 0.025 (0.032 ± 0.001)
10 0.25 ± 0.012 (0.010 ± 0.0005) 31 0.79 ± 0.025 (0.031 ± 0.001)
8 0.20 ± 0.012 (0.008 ± 0.0005) 28 0.71 ± 0.025 (0.028 ± 0.001)
5 0.13 ± 0.012 (0.005 ± 0.0005) 25 0.64 ± 0.025 (0.025 ± 0.001)
23 0.58 ± 0.025 (0.023 ± 0.001)
20 0.50 ± 0.025 (0.020 ± 0.001)
Hole Spacing (horizontal): 5 ± 0.1 mm (0.2 ± 0.004
...
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