ASTM E1079-21

Standard Practice for Calibration of Transmission Densitometers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice provides a means for calibrating transmission densitometers used for the measurement of diffuse optical density on radiographic films. A transmission densitometer calibrated in accordance with this practice provides the assurance that accurate optical density values of radiographs are obtained.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice2 covers the calibration of transmission densitometers used to perform measurements of diffuse optical density on radiographic films (see Note 1).  
1.2 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.
Note 1: For further information on the design and use of densitometers, the following literature is suggested as additional background information: ISO 5–1:2009, ISO 5–2:2009, ISO 5–3:2009, and ISO 14807:2001.  
1.3 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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 17.180.30 - Optical measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.01 - Radiology (X and Gamma) Method

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: E1079 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
Calibration of Transmission Densitometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1079; 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 ISO 5–3:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology —
2
Density Measurements — Part 3: Spectral Conditions
1.1 This practice covers the calibration of transmission
ISO 14807:2001 Photography — Transmission and Reflec-
densitometers used to perform measurements of diffuse optical
tion Densitometers — Method for Determining Perfor-
density on radiographic films (see Note 1).
mance
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
practice, see Terminology E1316.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—For further information on the design and use of
4. Significance and Use
densitometers, the following literature is suggested as additional back-
ground information: ISO 5–1:2009, ISO 5–2:2009, ISO 5–3:2009, and
4.1 This practice provides a means for calibrating transmis-
ISO 14807:2001.
sion densitometers used for the measurement of diffuse optical
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
density on radiographic films. A transmission densitometer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- calibrated in accordance with this practice provides the assur-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ance that accurate optical density values of radiographs are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- obtained.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Apparatus should consist of the following:
2. Referenced Documents
5.1.1 A calibrated step tablet covering the optical density
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
range used in production radiographs shall be used. The step
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
tablet may be a NIST X-ray Step Tablet (X-Ray Film Step
4 5
2.2 ISO Standards: Tablet Transmission Density Standard 38100C) , or alternately
ISO 5–1:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology — a step tablet from another supplier that is traceable to the NIST
Density Measurements — Part 1: Geometry and Func- steptabletintherangeprovidedbyNISTcertification.Thestep
tional Notation tablet shall have at least five steps with optical densities, which
ISO 5–2:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology — cover the optical density range that is used for production
Density Measurements — Part 2: Geometric Conditions radiographs.Acalibration certificate shall be provided with the
for Transmittance Density step tablet indicating the tablet ID and recorded values for the
optical density of each step. For suppliers of step tablets other
than NIST, the certificate shall indicate conformance of trace-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- ability to NIST, applicable ISO or ANSI standards (for
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on
example, ISO 5–3) used, verification of measurement on a
Radiology (X and Gamma) Method.
NIST step tablet, the ID number of the step tablet, and
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
calibration date of the step tablet. Precautions should be taken
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1079 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/E1079-21.
in the storage, handling, and use of the step tablet. In the event
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Practice
it becomes scratched, blemished, or exhibits other signs of
SE-1079 in Section II of that Code.
deleterious wear, it should be replaced immediately. The NIST
3
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.
4 5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov
...

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: E1079 − 16 E1079 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
Calibration of Transmission Densitometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1079; 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
2
1.1 This practice covers the calibration of transmission densitometers used to perform radiographic film density measurements
measurements of diffuse optical density on radiographic films (see Note 1).
1.2 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.
NOTE 1—For further information on the design and use of densitometers, the following literature is suggested as additional background information:
ISO 5–1:2009, ISO 5–2:2009, ISO 5–3:2009, and ISO 14807:2001.
1.3 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
4
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 5–1:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology — Density Measurements — Part 1: Geometry and Functional Notation
ISO 5–2:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology — Density Measurements — Part 2: Geometric Conditions for
Transmittance Density
ISO 5–3:2009 Photography and Graphic Technology -— Density Measurements -— Part 3: Spectral Conditions
ISO 14807:2001 Photography -— Transmission and Reflection Densitometers -— Method for Determining Performance
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, see Terminology E1316.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides a means for calibrating transmission densitometers used for the measurement of radiographic film
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on Radiology (X and
Gamma) Method.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2021. Published June 2016November 2021. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
E1079 - 10.E1079 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E1079-16.10.1520/E1079-21.
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Practice SE-1079 in Section II of that Code.
3
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.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1079 − 21
density. diffuse optical density on radiographic films. A transmission densitometer calibrated in accordance with this practice
provides the assurance that accurate optical density values of radiographs are obtained.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Apparatus should consist of the following:
5.1.1 A calibrated step tablet covering the optical density range used in production radiographs shall be used. The step tablet may
5
be a NIST X-ray Step Tablet (X-Ray Film Step Tablet Transmission Density Standard 38100C) , or alternately a step tablet from
another supplier that is traceable to the NIST step tablet in the range provided by NIST certification. The step tablet shall have at
least five step steps with optical densities, which cover the optical density range that is used for production radiographs. A
calibration certificate shall be provided with the step tablet indicating the tablet ID and recorded values for each step density. the
optical density of each step. For suppliers of step tablets other than NIST, the certificate shall indicate conformance of traceability
to NIST, applicable ISO or ANSI standards (for example, ISO 5–3) used, verification of measuremen
...