ASTM E1936-97

Standard Reference Radiograph for Evaluating the Performance of Radiographic Digitization Systems

SCOPE
1.1 This reference radiograph covers a series of test targets suitable for evaluating, quantifying, and documenting performance parameters of the radiographic digitization process or the electronic image reconstruction process, or both. This reference radiograph can be used for visual and electronic analysis of digitization systems. This is the first of three related standards. Subsequent standards will provide guidance on the use of the test targets and recommended system performance levels.
1.2 This reference radiograph provides a series of test targets to provide a vehicle for the evaluation of spatial resolution, density contrast sensitivity, dynamic range, and spatial linearity as well as other aspects of a digitization system. The test targets are suitable for evaluating a digitization system with a spatial resolution down to ~1/1000 in (25 micrometers (u) a density contrast sensitivity down to 0.02 optical density (OD), a density range of 0.5 to 4.5 OD, and a film size capacity of 14 in. (355 mm) wide by 17 in. (431 mm) long.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard, with the exception of the spatial resolution targets (6.2 and 6.6 ) which are stated in SI units.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-1997
• ICS: 11.040.50 - Radiographic equipment
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.02 - Reference Radiological Images

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1936-03 - Standard Reference Radiograph for Evaluating the Performance of Radiographic Digitization Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E94/E94M-22 - Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination Using Industrial Radiographic Film
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1161-21 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination of Semiconductors and Electronic Components
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1936 – 97
Standard Reference Radiograph for
Evaluating the Performance of Radiographic Digitization
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1936; 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.
1. Scope 2.2 ASME Standard:
Section V, Article 2, Mandatory Appendix VI, Digital Image
1.1 This reference radiograph covers a series of test targets
Acquisition, Display, Interpretation and Storage for
suitable for evaluating, quantifying, and documenting perfor-
Nuclear Applications
mance parameters of the radiographic digitization process or
2.3 ASTM Adjuncts:
the electronic image reconstruction process, or both. This
Standard Reference Radiograph for Evaluating the Perfor-
reference radiograph can be used for visual and electronic
mance of Radiographic Digitization Systems
analysis of digitization systems. This is the first of three related
standards. Subsequent standards will provide guidance on the
3. Terminology
use of the test targets and recommended system performance
3.1 Definitions:
levels
3.1.1 Refer to Terminology E 1316 for definitions of terms
1.2 This reference radiograph provides a series of test
used in this guide.
targets to provide a vehicle for the evaluation of spatial
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
resolution, density contrast sensitivity, dynamic range, and
3.2.1 converging line pairs—the targets located on the
spatial linearity as well as other aspects of a digitization
reference radiograph that are used to determine the spatial
system. The test targets are suitable for evaluating a digitiza-
resolution of the digitization system.
tion system with a spatial resolution down to ;1/1000 in [25
3.2.2 dynamic range—the range of optical densities over
micrometers (μ)] a density contrast sensitivity down to 0.02
which a predetermined density contrast sensitivity can be
optical density (OD), a density range of 0.5 to 4.5 OD, and a
maintained in a single image.
film size capacity of 14 in. (355 mm) wide by 17 in. (431 mm)
3.2.3 image—the digital representation of the target on the
long.
reference radiograph. The image of the target is used to
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
evaluate both the digitization and display aspects of the
as the standard, with the exception of the spatial resolution
radiographic film digitization system.
targets (6.2 and 6.6) which are stated in SI units.
3.2.4 parallel line pairs—the targets located on the refer-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety
ence radiograph that are used in conjunction with the converg-
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
ing line pairs to determine the spatial resolution of the
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
digitization system.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
3.2.5 reference radiograph—the single piece of industrial
limitations prior to use.
radiographic film containing all of the reference targets de-
2. Referenced Documents scribed in this document.
3.2.6 scan line—it is a path that is one pixel high (vertical)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
by the number of pixels wide (horizontal), that is captured by
E 1079 Practice for Calibration of Transmission Densitom-
2 the digitization system. The scan lines are added, one on top of
eters
the other, to electronically reproduce the physical (analog) data
E 1254 Guide for Storage of Radiographs and Unexposed
2 in the horizontal (film width) and vertical (film length) direc-
Industrial Radiographic Films
tions on the display monitor.
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
2 3.2.7 spatial linearity—the accuracy to which a digitization
E 1411 Practice for Qualification of Radioscopic Systems
system reproduces the physical dimension. It is assessed within
This reference radiograph is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-07
on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.02 Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street,
on Reference Radiological Images. New York, NY 10017.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1997. Published June 1998. Available from EPRI NDE Center, NDE Division, 1300 Harris Blvd., Charlotte,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. NC 28262.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1936–97
a single scan line and from one scan line to the next (horizontal radiograph, should be replaced. A guide for the storage of the
and vertical directions). reference radiograph is described in Guide E 1254.
3.2.8 spatial resolution—the size of the smallest piece of
information on the radiograph which can be captured, digi-
6. Description of Targets
tized, and displayed by the radiographic film digitization
6.1 The reference radiograph has five types of targets that
system.
may be used to evaluate various parameters of the digitization
3.2.9 targets—the physical patterns on the reference radio-
system. The targets are located within a background density of
graph that are used to evaluate the radiographic film digitiza-
’ 3.0 OD. The reference radiograph is divided into three areas
tion system.
with sizes of 8 in. (203 mm) by 10 in. (254 mm), 11 in. (279
mm) by 14 in. (355 mm), and 14 in. (355 mm) by 17 in. (430
4. Significance and Use
mm). These have been created for digitization systems unable
4.1 This reference radiograph may be used to quantify the
to accommodate film sizes up to 14 in. by 17 in. The reference
performance characteristics of a radiographic digitization sys-
radiograph may be cut to custom fit a particular digitization
tem or to provide periodic evaluations of a digitization system
system and still contain all of the necessary targets within each
in a production mode to verify that appropriate operating
of these areas that are represented on the illustration in Fig. 1.
characteristics are being maintained. This reference radiograph
6.2 Spatial Resolution Targets—These consist of three iden-
provides a means for
...