ASTM E746-18
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems
Standard Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This standard provides a practice for RIQR evaluations of film and non-film imaging systems when exposed through an absorber material. Three alternate data evaluation methods are provided in Section 9. Determining RIQR requires the comparison of at least two radiographs or radiographic processes whereby the relative degree of image quality difference may be determined using the EPS plaque arrangement of Fig. 1 as a relative image quality indicator (RIQI). In conjunction with the RIQI, a specified radiographic technique or method must be established and carefully controlled for each radiographic process. This practice is designed to allow the determination of subtle changes in EPS that may arise to radiographic imaging system performance levels resultant from process improvements/changes or change of equipment attributes. This practice does not address relative unsharpness of a radiographic imaging system as provided in Practice E2002. The common element with any relative comparison is the use of the same RIQI arrangement for both processes under evaluation.
4.2 In addition to the standard evaluation method described in Section 9, there may be other techniques/methods in which the basic RIQR arrangement of Fig. 1 might be utilized to perform specialized assessments of relative image quality performance. For example, other radiographic variables can be altered to facilitate evaluations provided these differences are known and documented for both processes. Where multiple radiographic process variables are evaluated, it is incumbent upon the user of this practice to control those normal process attributes to the degree suitable for the application. Specialized RIQR techniques may also be useful with micro focus X-ray, isotope sources of radiation or with the use of non-film radiographic imaging systems. RIQR may also be useful in evaluating imaging systems with alternate materials (RIQI and base plate) such as plastic, copper-nickel, or aluminum. When using any ...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides a practice whereby industrial radiographic imaging systems may be comparatively assessed using the concept of relative image quality response (RIQR). The RIQR method presented within this practice is based upon the use of equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described within Practice E1025 and subsection 5.3 of this practice. Figure 1 illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has four different plaque thicknesses (0.015, 0.010, 0.008, and 0.005 in.) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on an absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The four plaques contain a total of 14 different arrays of penetrameter-type hole sizes designed to render varied conditions of threshold visibility when exposed to the appropriate radiation. Each “EPS” array consists of 30 identical holes; thus, providing the user with a quantity of threshold sensitivity levels suitable for relative image qualitative response comparisons. There are two standard materials (steel and plastic) specified herein for the RIQI and absorber. For special applications the user may design a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration; however the RIQI configuration shall be controlled by a drawing similar to Fig. 1. Use of a non-standard RIQI-absorber configuration shall be described in the user’s written technique and approved by the CEO.
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or derive performance classification categories for radiographic imaging systems. For example, performance classifications of radiographic film systems may be found within Test Method E1815, and manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR) systems may be found in...
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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: E746 − 18
Standard Practice for
Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial
1
Radiographic Imaging Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E746; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Practice E2446 for manufacturer characterization of computed
radiography (CR) systems and by Practice E2445 to evaluate
1.1 This standard provides a practice whereby industrial
performanceandtomonitorlongtermstabilityofCRsystems.
radiographic imaging systems may be comparatively assessed
using the concept of relative image quality response (RIQR). 1.4 For high-energy X-ray applications (4 to 25 MeV), Test
TheRIQRmethodpresentedwithinthispracticeisbasedupon Method E1735 provides a similar RIQR standard practice.
the use of equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described
1.5 The values stated in SI are to be regarded as the
within Practice E1025 and subsection 5.3 of this practice.
standard.
Figure 1 illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI)
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
that has four different plaque thicknesses (0.015, 0.010, 0.008,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and 0.005 in.) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
an absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
four plaques contain a total of 14 different arrays of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
penetrameter-type hole sizes designed to render varied condi-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
tions of threshold visibility when exposed to the appropriate
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
radiation.Each“EPS”arrayconsistsof30identicalholes;thus,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
providing the user with a quantity of threshold sensitivity
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
levelssuitableforrelativeimagequalitativeresponsecompari-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sons. There are two standard materials (steel and plastic)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
specified herein for the RIQI and absorber. For special appli-
cations the user may design a non-standard RIQI-absorber
2. Referenced Documents
configuration; however the RIQI configuration shall be con-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
trolled by a drawing similar to Fig. 1. Use of a non-standard
RIQI-absorber configuration shall be described in the user’s B152/B152MSpecification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate,
and Rolled Bar
written technique and approved by the CEO.
E999Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Radio-
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance
graphic Film Processing
of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a
E1025Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a
Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality In-
specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
dicators (IQI) Used for Radiology
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or
E1079Practice for Calibration of Transmission Densitom-
derive performance classification categories for radiographic
eters
imaging systems. For example, performance classifications of
E1316Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
radiographic film systems may be found within Test Method
E1735TestMethodforDeterminingRelative ImageQuality
E1815,andmanufacturercharacterizationofcomputedradiog-
of Industrial Radiographic Film Exposed to X-Radiation
raphy(CR)systemsmaybefoundinPracticeE2446.However,
from4to25MeV
the RIQI and absorber described in this practice are used by
E1815Test Method for Classification of Film Systems for
Industrial Radiography
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
structive 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 Feb. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E746-17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
...
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: E746 − 17 E746 − 18
Standard Practice for
Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial
1
Radiographic Imaging Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E746; 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
1.1 This standard provides a practice whereby industrial radiographic imaging systems may be comparatively assessed using
the concept of relative image quality response (RIQR). The RIQR method presented within this practice is based upon the use of
equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) described within Practice E1025 and subsection 5.3 of this practice. Figure 1 illustrates
a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has four different plaque thicknesses (0.015, 0.010, 0.008, and 0.005 in.) sequentially
positioned (from top to bottom) on an absorber plate of a specified material and thickness. The four plaques contain a total of 14
different arrays of penetrameter-type hole sizes designed to render varied conditions of threshold visibility when exposed to the
appropriate radiation. Each “EPS” array consists of 30 identical holes; thus, providing the user with a quantity of threshold
sensitivity levels suitable for relative image qualitative response comparisons. There are two standard materials (steel and plastic)
specified herein for the RIQI and absorber. For special applications the user may design a non-standard RIQI-absorber
configuration; however the RIQI configuration shall be controlled by a drawing similar to Fig. 1. Use of a non-standard
RIQI-absorber configuration shall be described in the user’s written technique and approved by the CEO.
1.2 This practice is not intended to qualify the performance of a specific radiographic technique nor for assurance that a
radiographic technique will detect specific discontinuities in a specimen undergoing radiographic examination.
1.3 This practice is not intended to be used to classify or derive performance classification categories for radiographic imaging
systems. For example, performance classifications of radiographic film systems may be found within Test Method E1815, and
manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR) systems may be found in Practice E2446. However, the RIQI and
absorber described in this practice are used by Practice E2446 for manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR)
systems and by Practice E2445 to evaluate performance and to monitor long term stability of CR systems.
1.4 For high-energy X-ray applications (4 to 25 MeV), Test Method E1735 provides a similar RIQR standard practice.
1.5 The values stated in SI are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B152/B152M Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Rolled Bar
E999 Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Radiographic Film Processing
E1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality Indicators (IQI)
Used for Radiology
E1079 Practice for Calibration of Transmission Densitometers
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 Nov. 1, 2017Feb. 1, 2018. Published December 2017February 2018. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20142017
as E746 - 07E746(2014). -17. DOI: 10.1520/E0746-17.10.1520/E0746-18.
2
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page
...
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