ASTM E446-98

Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (51 mm) in Thickness

SCOPE
1.1 These references  illustrate various types and degrees of discontinuities occurring in steel castings that have section thicknesses up to 2 in. (51 mm) (Note 1). They are intended to provide the following:  
1.1.1 A guide enabling recognition of discontinuities and their differentiation both as to type and severity level, where applicable.  
1.1.2 Example radiographic illustrations of discontinuities, that are ungraded, for reference in acceptance standards, specifications, and drawings.  
1.1.3 Sets of reference radiographs from which purchasers and suppliers may, by mutual agreement, select particular illustrations to serve as standards representing minimum acceptability. At the same time, the standards so established may be unambiguously identified by alphabetic defect category (or type) designation and severity level. Note 1-Reference radiographs previously used for this thickness range carried the designation E71, but included a now rarely used gamma source, that is, radium. The current document is also updated by inclusion of several recognized shrinkage or C categories and by elimination of the crack and hot tear categories except for one example of each of these discontinuity types. Reference radiographs for thicker sections may be found in E186 and E280.
1.2 These reference illustrations consist of three separate sets (Note 2) as follows: (1) medium voltage (nominal 250-kVp) X rays. (2) 1-MV X rays and iridium-192 radiation, and (3) 2-MV to 4-MV X rays and cobalt-60 radiation. Each set is for comparison only with radiographs produced with equivalent radiation. It should be recognized that each energy level is not applicable to the entire thickness range covered by this document. Each set consists of 6 categories of graded discontinuities in increasing severity level and 4 categories of ungraded discontinuites furnished as examples only, as follows:  
1.2.1 Category A -Gas porosity; severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.2 Category B -Sand and slag inclusions; severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.3 Category C -Shrinkage; 4 types:  
1.2.3.1 CA -Severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.3.2 CB -Severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.3.3 CC -Severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.3.4 CD -Severity levels 1 through 5.  
1.2.4 Category D -Crack; 1 illustration.  
1.2.5 Category E -Hot tear; 1 illustration.  
1.2.6 Category F -Insert; 1 illustration.  
1.2.7 Category G -Mottling; 1 illustration. Note 2-The illustrations consist of the following: Volume I: Medium Voltage ( Nominal 250 kVp ) X-Ray Reference Radiographs-Set of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. Volume II: 1-MV X Rays and Iridium-192 Reference Radiographs -Set of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. Volume III: 2- MV to 4- MV X Rays and Cobalt-60 Reference Radiographs -Set of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. Note 3-Although Category G-Mottling is listed for all three volumes, the appearance of mottling is dependent on the level of radiation energy. Mottling appears reasonably prominent in Volume I; however, because of the higher radiation energy levels mottling may not be apparent in Volume II nor Volume III.
1.3 The use of this document is not intended to be restricted to the specific energy level or to the absolute thickness limits that are contained in the document title. The title is intended to be descriptive and not restrictive. The document may be used, where there is no other applicable document, for other energy levels or thicknesses, or both, for which it is found to be applicable and for which agreement has been reached between purchaser and manufacturer.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-May-1998
• ICS: 77.040.20 - Non-destructive testing of metals
• ICS: 77.140.80 - Iron and steel castings
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.02 - Reference Radiological Images

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E446-98(2004)e1 - Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. [51 mm] in Thickness
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2004
• Referred By: ASTM A872/A872M-21 - Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe for Corrosive Environments
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A395/A395M-99(2022) - Standard Specification for Ferritic Ductile Iron Pressure-Retaining Castings for Use at Elevated Temperatures
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A356/A356M-21 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, Low Alloy, and Stainless Steel, Heavy-Walled for Steam Turbines
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A985/A985M-21 - Standard Specification for Steel Investment Castings General Requirements, for Pressure-Containing Parts
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A703/A703M-20a - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, General Requirements, for Pressure-Containing Parts
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A476/A476M-00(2022) - Standard Specification for Ductile Iron Castings for Paper Mill Dryer Rolls
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B752/B752M-22 - Standard Specification for Castings, Zirconium-Base, Corrosion Resistant, for General Application
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B367-22 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Castings
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A426/A426M-18 - Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Ferritic Alloy Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A660/A660M-21 - Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A451/A451M-20 - Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Austenitic Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A781/A781M-21 - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM E1030/E1030M-21 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination of Metallic Castings
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM A957/A957M-21 - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998

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: E 446 – 98
Standard Reference Radiographs for
Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (51 mm) in Thickness
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 446; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
NOTE 2—The illustrations consist of the following:
1. Scope
Volume I: Medium Voltage (Nominal 250 kVp) X-Ray Reference
1.1 These reference radiographs illustrate various types
Radiographs—Set of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring
and degrees of discontinuities occurring in steel castings that
binder.
have section thicknesses up to 2 in. (51 mm) (Note 1).
Volume II: 1-MV X Rays and Iridium-192 Reference Radiographs—Set
of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder.
NOTE 1—Reference radiographs previously used for this thickness
Volume III: 2-MV to 4-MV X Rays and Cobalt-60 Reference
range carried the designation E 71, but included a now rarely used gamma
Radiographs—Set of 34 illustrations (5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring
source, that is, radium. The current document is also updated by inclusion
binder.
of several recognized shrinkage or C categories and by elimination of the
NOTE 3—Although Category G–Mottling is listed for all three volumes,
crack and hot tear categories except for one example of each of these
the appearance of mottling is dependent on the level of radiation energy.
discontinuity types. Reference radiographs for thicker sections may be
Mottling appears reasonably prominent in Volume I; however, because of
found in E 186 and E 280.
the higher radiation energy levels mottling may not be apparent in Volume
1.2 These reference illustrations consist of three separate II nor Volume III.
sets (Note 2) as follows: (1) medium voltage (nominal 250-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
kVp) X rays. (2) 1-MV X rays and Iridium-192 radiation, and
as the standard.
(3) 2-MV to 4-MV X rays and cobalt-60 radiation. Each set is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for comparison only with radiographs produced with equiva-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
lent radiation. It should be recognized that each energy level is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
not applicable to the entire thickness range covered by this
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
document. Each set consists of 6 categories of graded discon-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tinuities in increasing severity level and 4 categories of
ungraded discontinuites furnished as examples only, as fol- 2. Referenced Documents
lows:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.1 Category A—Gas porosity; severity levels 1 through
E 94 Guide for Radiographic Testing
5.
E 142 Method for Controlling Quality of Radiographic
1.2.2 Category B—Sand and slag inclusions; severity levels
Testing
1 through 5.
E 186 Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (2 to 4 ⁄2
1.2.3 Category C—Shrinkage; 4 types:
-in. (51 to 114-mm)) Steel Castings
1.2.3.1 CA—Severity levels 1 through 5.
E 242 Reference Radiographs for Appearances of Radio-
1.2.3.2 CB—Severity levels 1 through 5.
graphic Images as Certain Parameters Are Changed
1.2.3.3 CC—Severity levels 1 through 5.
E 280 Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (4 ⁄2 to
1.2.3.4 CD—Severity levels 1 through 5.
12-in. (114 to 305-mm)) Steel Castings
1.2.4 Category D—Crack; 1 illustration.
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1.2.5 Category E—Hot tear; 1 illustration.
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
1.2.6 Category F—Insert; 1 illustration.
Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (51
1.2.7 Category G—Mottling; 1 illustration.
mm) in Thickness:
Volume I, Medium Voltage (Nominal 250 kVp) X Rays
These reference radiographs are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
E-7 on Nondestructive Testing and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E07.02 on Reference Radiographs.
Current edition approved May 10, 1998. Published July 1998. Originally
published as E 446 – 72. Last previous edition E 446 – 93. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
2 4
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Reference Available from ASTM Headquarters.
Radiographs SE-446 in Section V of that Code. Order RRE044601.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E446–98
Volume II, 1-MV X Rays and Iridium-192 mination of the applicable radiographic classification shall be
Volume III, 2-MV to 4-MV X Rays and Cobalt-60 based on an evaluation of the casting applications, design, and
service requirements. In these evaluations, consideration shall
3. Terminology
be given to such factors as pressure, temperature, section
thickness, applicable design safety factor (preferably based on
3.1 Definitions—for definitions of terms used in this docu-
ment, see Terminology E 1316, section D. stress analysis), vibration, shock, resistance to corrosion,
involvement of penetrating radiations or radiation products,
4. Significance and Use
and involvement of dangerous gases or liquids.
4.1 These reference radiographs are intended to provide a
6.2 For each portion of casting radiographed, the severity
guide enabling recognition of discontinuities and their differ-
level for each class of discontinuity category should be clearly
entiation both as to type and severity level, where applicable.
specified. Thus, Severity Level 2 might be specified for
4.2 They also provide example radiographic illustrations of
shrinkage, Category CA, and Severity Level 3 for Gas Poros-
discontinuities, that are ungraded, for reference in acceptance
ity, Category A, since the latter are generally much less
standards, specifications and drawings.
deleterious to tensile properties.
4.3 Sets of reference radiographs from which purchasers
and suppliers may, by mutual agreement, select particular
7. Classification Specifications
illustrations to serve as standards representing minimum ac-
7.1 The applicable radiographic severity classification
ceptability are provided. At the same time, the standards so
should be designated by the contracting agency in formal
established may be unambiguously identified by alphabetic
specifications or on drawings and in specific contracts or
defect category (or type) designation and severity level.
orders. The specifications, drawings, contracts, or order should
4.4 The use of this document is not intended to be restricted
also designate the sampling plan for the castings to be
to the specific energy level or to the absolute thickness limits
radiographed and the extent of radiographic coverage, radio-
that are contained in the document title. The title is intended to
graphic practice to be followed (Guide E 94 and Method
be descriptive and not restrictive. The document may be used,
E 142), image quality desired (Note 4) as well as the severity
where there is no other applicable document, for other energy
of the acceptable discontinuity for the graded categories.
levels or thicknesses or both, for which it is found to be
applicable and for which agreement has been reached between
NOTE 4—For description of sensitivity or quality levels, see Guide
E 94, Method E 142, and Reference Radiographs E 242.
purchaser and manufacturer.
5. Method of Preparation 8. Procedure for Evaluation
5.1 The original radiographs used to prepare these three sets
8.1 Compare the production radiographs of the casting
of reference illustrations were made from selected sections of
submitted
...