Standard Test Method for Measurement of Focal Spots of Industrial X-Ray Tubes by Pinhole Imaging

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
One of the factors affecting the quality of a radiographic image is geometric unsharpness. The degree of geometric unsharpness is dependent upon the focal size of the radiation source, the distance between the source and the object to be radiographed, and the distance between the object to be radiographed and the film. This test method allows the user to determine the focal size of the X-ray source and to use this result to establish source to object and object to film distances appropriate for maintaining the desired degree of geometric unsharpness.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides instructions for determining the length and width dimensions of line focal spots in industrial X-ray tubes (see Note 0). This determination is based on the measurement of an image of a focal spot that has been radiographically recorded with a "pinhole" projection/imaging technique.
Note 1—Line focal spots are associated with vacuum X-ray tubes whose maximum voltage rating does not generally exceed 500 kV.
1.2 This test method may not yield meaningful results on focal spots whose nominal size is less than 0.3 mm [0.011 in.]. (See Note 1.)
Note 2—The X-ray tube manufacturer may be contacted for nominal focal spot dimensions.
1.3 This test method may also be used to determine the presence or extent of focal spot damage or deterioration that may have occurred due to tube age, tube overloading, and the like. This would entail the production of a focal spot radiograph (with the pinhole method) and an evaluation of the resultant image for pitting, cracking, and the like.
1.4 Values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Inch-pound units are provided for information only.
1.5 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.

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Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-Dec-2003
Current Stage
Ref Project

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Effective Date
01-Jan-2004

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ASTM E1165-04 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Focal Spots of Industrial X-Ray Tubes by Pinhole Imaging
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1165–04
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Focal Spots of Industrial X-Ray Tubes by
1
Pinhole Imaging
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1165; 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 bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method provides instructions for determining
2. Referenced Documents
thelengthandwidthdimensionsoflinefocalspotsinindustrial
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
X-ray tubes (see Note 1). This determination is based on the
E999 Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Radio-
measurement of an image of a focal spot that has been
graphic Film Processing
radiographically recorded with a “pinhole” projection/imaging
technique.
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—Line focal spots are associated with vacuum X-ray tubes
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
whose maximum voltage rating does not generally exceed 500 kV.
3.1.1 actual focal spot—the X-ray producing area of the
1.2 This test method may not yield meaningful results on
target as viewed from a position perpendicular to the target
focal spots whose nominal size is less than 0.3 mm (0.011 in.). surface (see Fig. 2).
(See Note 2.)
3.1.2 effective focal spot—the X-ray producing area of the
target as viewed from a position perpendicular to the tube axis
NOTE 2—The X-ray tube manufacturer may be contacted for nominal
in the center of the X-ray beam (see Fig. 2).
focal spot dimensions.
3.1.3 line focal spot—a focal spot whose projected pinhole
1.3 This test method may also be used to determine the
image consists primarily of two curved lines (see Fig. 3).
presence or extent of focal spot damage or deterioration that
may have occurred due to tube age, tube overloading, and the
4. Significance and Use
like. This would entail the production of a focal spot radio-
4.1 One of the factors affecting the quality of a radiographic
graph (with the pinhole method) and an evaluation of the
image is geometric unsharpness. The degree of geometric
resultant image for pitting, cracking, and the like.
unsharpness is dependent upon the focal size of the radiation
1.4 Values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
source, the distance between the source and the object to be
standard. Inch-pound units are provided for information only.
radiographed, and the distance between the object to be
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
radiographed and the film. This test method allows the user to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
determine the focal size of the X-ray source and to use this
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
result to establish source to object and object to film distances
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
appropriate for maintaining the desired degree of geometric
unsharpness.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on
Nondestructive 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 January 1, 2004. Published February 2004. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1165 – 92 (2002). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1165-04. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1165–04
should be X-ray machine identity (that is, make and serial
number), organization making the radiograph, and date of
exposure.
6.3 Adjustthekilovoltageandmilliamperagesettingsonthe
X-ray machine to that specified in Table 3.
6.4 Expose the film such that the density of the darkest
portion of the focal spot image conforms to the limits specified
in Table 4. Density measurement shall be as illustrated in Fig.
8. Density shall be controlled by exposure time only.
FIG. 1 Pinhole Diaphragm Design
6.5 Process the film in accordance with Guide E999.
5. Apparatus 6.6 Focal Spot Measurement:
6.6.1 Back Lighting—Back lighting shall be such that the
5.1 Pinhole Diaphragm—The pinhole diaphragm shall con-
focal spot image can be easily and comfortably viewed.
form to the design and material requirements of Table 1 and
6.6.2 Place the magnification graticule (handheld optical
Fig. 1.
comparator) in intimate contact with the film for the measure-
...

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