ASTM F2547-18

Standard Test Method for Determining the Attenuation Properties in a Primary X-ray Beam of Materials Used to Protect Against Radiation Generated During the Use of X-ray Equipment

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended to provide a standardized test procedure of protective materials to ensure comparable results among manufacturers and users.  
5.2 This test method involves measurement of the attenuation of X-rays by protective clothing material at an accelerating potential (kVp) between 60 and 130 kVp. These energies are considered to be representative of those commonly used during medical diagnosis.  
5.3 The reporting of the attenuation at a specific X-ray energy is intended to allow the end user organization to assess the attenuating properties of the protective clothing material at that energy level.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring the attenuation of X-rays by protective materials at accelerating potentials from 60 to 130 kVp.  
1.2 This test method provides attenuation values of primary beam X-radiation.  
1.3 This test method applies to both leaded and non-leaded radiation protective clothing materials.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2017
• ICS: 13.280 - Radiation protection
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.70 - Radiological Hazards

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F2547 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Attenuation Properties in a Primary X-ray
Beam of Materials Used to Protect Against Radiation
1
Generated During the Use of X-ray Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2547; 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 3.1.1.1 Discussion—In this test method, the attenuation is
calculated as 1 minus the ratio of the measured exposure with
1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring
a protective material in the beam to the measured exposure
the attenuation of X-rays by protective materials at accelerating
without the protective material in the beam at a specific
potentials from 60 to 130 kVp.
accelerating potential. Multiplying the resulting value by 100
1.2 This test method provides attenuation values of primary
gives percent attenuation.
beam X-radiation.
exposure with sample
Attenuation ~percent! 5 1 2 × 100 (1)
1.3 This test method applies to both leaded and non-leaded S D
exposure without sample
radiation protective clothing materials.
3.1.2 coeffıcient of variation, n—the ratio of the standard
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
deviation of a sample to the sample mean.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 exposure, n—for radiological purposes, the amount of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ionization in air at standard conditions caused by interaction
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
with X-rays, expressed in units of Roentgen (R) or milliroent-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gen (mR). The SI units are Coulomb per kilogram (C/kg).
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
–4
1 Roentgen = 2.58 × 10 C/kg.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.4 half-value layer (HVL), n—the thickness of aluminum,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- in millimetres (commonly designated mmAl), that reduces the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical intensity of the X-ray beam by one half.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—The HVL is dependent on the energy of
the X-ray beam and, therefore, is different for X-rays produced
2. Referenced Documents
at different accelerating potentials.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.5 ionization chamber, n—a device that measures the
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
electrical charge liberated during the ionization of air mol-
ecules by electromagnetic radiation (X-rays for the purposes of
3. Terminology
this test method), expressed in units of coulombs per kilogram
3.1 Definitions:
of air.
3.1.1 attenuation, n—for radiological protective material,
3.1.6 kilovolts, peak (kVp), n—the maximum electrical po-
the reduction in the intensity of the X-ray beam resulting from
tential across an X-ray tube during an exposure, expressed in
the interactions between the X-ray beam and the protective
kilovolts.
material that occur when the X-ray beam passes through the
protective material.
3.1.7 lead equivalency, n—for radiological protective
material, the thickness in millimetres of lead (commonly
1
designated mmPb) of greater than 99.9 % purity that provides
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
the same attenuation as a given protective material.
F23.70 on Radiological Hazards.
3.1.7.1 Discussion—This test method provides the attenua-
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published January 2018. Originally
tion of the material and not the lead equivalency. Determining
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F2547 – 06 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/F2547-18.
lead equivalency would require testing lead of known thickness
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and purity, and comparing the attenuation of the protective
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
material with the attenuation of the lead. The lead equivalency
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. may be determined based on published half or tenth thickness
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F2547 − 18
values. When l
...

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: F2547 − 06 (Reapproved 2013) F2547 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Attenuation Properties in a Primary X-ray
Beam of Materials Used to Protect Against Radiation
1
Generated During the Use of X-ray Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2547; 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 test method establishes procedures for measuring the attenuation of X-rays by protective materials at accelerating
potentials from 60 to 130 kVp.
1.2 This test method provides attenuation values of primary beam X-radiation.
1.3 This test method applies to both leaded and non-leaded radiation protective clothing materials.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 attenuation, n—Forfor radiological protective material, the reduction in the intensity of the X-ray beam resulting from the
interactions between the X-ray beam and the protective material that occur when the X-ray beam passes through the protective
material.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
In this test method, the attenuation is calculated as 1 minus the ratio of the measured exposure with a protective material in the
beam to the measured exposure without the protective material in the beam at a specific accelerating potential. Multiplying the
resulting value by 100 gives percent attenuation.
exposure with sample
Attenuation ~percent!5 12 3100 (1)
S D
exposure without sample
3.1.2 lead equivalency, coeffıcient of variation, n—For radiological protective material, the thickness in millimetres of lead
(commonly designated mmPb) of greater than 99.9 percent purity that provides the same attenuation as a given protective
material.the ratio of the standard deviation of a sample to the sample mean.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F23.70 on Radiological Hazards.
Current edition approved July 1, 2013Jan. 1, 2018. Published July 2013January 2018. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 20062013 as F2547
- 06. DOI: 10.1520/F2547-06R13.– 06 (2013). DOI: 10.1520/F2547-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2547 − 18
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
This test method provides the attenuation of the material and not the lead equivalency. Determining lead equivalency would require
testing lead of known thickness and purity, and comparing the attenuation of the protective material with the attenuation of the lead.
Although lead equivalency has been the standard for reporting protective material capability, the drafters of this test method believe
it is not feasible to obtain adequate standard lead samples for reporting lead equivalency values.
3.1.3 secondary radiation, exposure, n—radiation outside the primary X-ray beam.for radiological purposes, the amount of
ionization in air at standard conditions caused by interaction with X-rays, expressed in units of Roentgen (R) or milliroentgen
–4
(mR). The SI units are Coulomb per kilogram (C/kg). 1 Roentgen = 2.58 × 10 C/kg.
3.1.4 scatter radiation, n—a form of secondary radiation resulting from the interaction of the primary X-ray beam and the target
(for example,
...