Standard Test Method for Determining Image Quality in Direct Thermal Neutron Radiographic Examination

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The BPI is designed to yield quantitative information concerning neutron beam and image system parameters that contribute to film exposure and thereby affect overall image quality. In addition, the BPI can be used to verify the day-to-day consistency of the neutron radiographic quality. Gadolinium conversion screens and single-emulsion silver-halide films, exposed together in the neutron imaging beam, were used in the development and testing of the BPI. Use of alternative detection systems may produce densitometric readings that are not valid for the equations used in Section 9.
The only truly valid sensitivity indicator is a reference standard part. A reference standard part is a material or component that is the same as the object being neutron radiographed except with a known standard discontinuity, inclusion, omission, or flaw. The sensitivity indicators were designed to substitute for the reference standard and provide qualitative information on hole and gap sensitivity.
The number of areas or objects to be radiographed and the film acceptance standard used should be specified in the contract, purchase order, specification, or drawings.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the use of an Image Quality Indicator (IQI) system to determine the relative quality of radiographic images produced by direct, thermal neutron radiographic examination. The requirements expressed in this test method are not intended to control the quality level of materials and components.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address 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.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are regarded to be standard.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2010
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
ASTM E545-05(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determining Image Quality in Direct Thermal Neutron Radiographic Examination
English language
4 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E545 −05(Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Image Quality in Direct Thermal Neutron
Radiographic Examination
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E545; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
1.1 This test method covers the use of an Image Quality
method, see Terminology E1316, Section H.
Indicator (IQI) system to determine the relative quality of
radiographic images produced by direct, thermal neutron
radiographic examination. The requirements expressed in this 4. Summary of Test Method
test method are not intended to control the quality level of
4.1 The judgment of the quality of a neutron radiograph is
materials and components.
based upon the evaluation of images obtained from indicators
that are exposed along with the test object. In cases of limited
1.2 This standard does not purport to address the safety
filmsizeorextendedobjectsize,theindicatorsmaybeexposed
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
on another film immediately prior to or following exposure of
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
the test object under exactly the same conditions (refer to
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
ProcessControlRadiographs,Section10).TheIQIvaluesmust
limitations prior to use.
be determined from films with an optical density between 2.0
1.3 ThevaluesstatedinSIunitsareregardedtobestandard.
to 3.0. Two types of IQIs are used.
4.1.1 Beam Purity Indicator (BPI)—The BPI is a device
2. Referenced Documents
usedforquantitativedeterminationofradiographicquality.Itis
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a polytetrafluoroethylene block containing two boron nitride
E543 Specification forAgencies Performing Nondestructive
disks, two lead disks, and two cadmium wires.Akey feature of
Testing
the BPI is the ability to make a visual analysis of its image for
E748 Practices for Thermal Neutron Radiography of Mate-
subjective information, such as image unsharpness and film
rials
and processing quality. Densitometric measurements of the
E803 TestMethodforDeterminingthe L/DRatioofNeutron
image of the device permit quantitative determination of the
Radiography Beams
effectivevalueforthethermalneutroncontent,gammacontent,
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
pairproductioncontent,andscatteredneutroncontent.TheBPI
E2003 Practice for Fabrication of the Neutron Radiographic
shall be constructed in accordance with Practice E2003.
Beam Purity Indicators
Optionally, any BPI fabricated prior to publication of Practice
E2023 Practice for Fabrication of Neutron Radiographic
E2003 which conforms to Test Method E545 - 81 through 91
Sensitivity Indicators
may be used.
4.1.2 Sensitivity Indicator (SI)—The SI is one of several
devices used for qualitative determination of the sensitivity of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on detail visible on a neutron radiograph. The SI is a step-wedge
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.05 on
device containing gaps and holes of known dimensions. Visual
Radiology (Neutron) Method.
inspection of the image of this device provides subjective
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally
information regarding total radiographic sensitivity with re-
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E545 - 05. DOI:
10.1520/E0545-05R10.
spect to the step-block material. The SI shall be in accordance
The numerical values obtained in the calculations described herein may vary
with Practice E2023. Optionally, any SI fabricated prior to
between different film processing systems, film types, and within one processing
publication of Practice E2023 which conforms to Test Method
system if processing variables changes.
E545-81 through 91 may be used.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.2 NeutronradiographypracticesarediscussedinPractices
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. E748.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E545−05 (2010)
5. Significance and Use 7.6 The BPI surface must be parallel against the film
cassette face during exposure or density readings will be
5.1 The BPI is designed to yield quantitative information
invalid.
concerning neutron beam and image system parameters that
contribute to film exposure and thereby affect overall image 7.7 The cadmium wires in the BPI shall be oriented such
quality. In addition, the BPI can be used to verify the that their longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the nearest film
day-to-day consistency of the neutron radiographic quality. edge.
Gadolinium conversion screens and single-emulsion silver-
7.8 Measure the film densities using a diffuse transmission
halide films, exposed together in the neutron imaging beam,
densitometer. The densitometer shall be accurate to 60.02
were used in the development and testing of the BPI. Use of
density units.
alternative detection systems may produce densitometric read-
7.9 For the purpose of determining image quality, the
ings that are not valid for the equations used in Section 9.
background optical density shall be between 2.0 and 3.0
5.2 The only truly valid sensitivity indicator is a reference
measured at the hole in the center of the BPI.
standard part. A reference standard part is a material or
7.10 The only true measurement of the beam uniformity is
component that is the same as the object being neutron
with a radiograph made without objects. Background film
radiographed except with a known standard discontinuity,
optical density in the range from 2.0 to 3.0 across the film
inclusion, omission, or flaw. The sensitivity indicators were
should not vary more than 65 % from the numerical mean of
designed to substitute for the reference standard and provide
five measurements: one measurement at the center and one
qualitative information on hole and gap sensitivity.
measurement approximately 25 to 30 mm toward the center
5.3 The number of areas or objects to be radiographed and
from each corner of the film. If the beam diameter is smaller
the film acceptance standard used should be specified in the
than the film, the four outside measurements shall be taken 25
contract, purchase order, specification, or drawings.
to 30 mm from the edge of the beam located at 90° intervals.
7.11 Radiographs shall be free of any blemish that may
6. Basis of Application
interfere with subsequent examination of the image.
6.1 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified
7.12 Determine the thermal neutron content (NC), scattered
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified
neutron content (S), gamma content (γ), and pair production
and evaluated in accordance with Practice E543. The appli-
content (P) by densitometric analysis of the BPI image. Make
cable revision of Practice E543 shall be specified in the
a determination of the constituents of film exposure by
contractual agreement.
measuring the densities in the BPI image as shown in Table 1.
6.2 Procedures and Techniques—The procedures and tech-
Calculate the various exposure contributors by the equations
niques to be utilized shall be as descri
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.