2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 22, SE-1416

STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR

RADIOSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF WELDMENTS

SE-1416

(Identical with ASTM Specification E 1416-04.)

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers a uniform procedure for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
radioscopic examination of weldments. Requirements
E 94 Guide for Radiographic Testing
expressed in this test method are intended to control the
quality of the radioscopic images and are not intended for E 543 Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
controlling acceptability or quality of welds. Testing
1.2 This test method applies only to the use of equip- E 747 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
ment for radioscopic examination in which the image is Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indica-
finally presented on a television monitor for operator evalu- tors (IQI) Used for Radiology
ation. The examination may be recorded for later review. E 1000 Guide for Radioscopy
It does not apply to fully automated systems where evalua-
tion is automatically performed by computer. E 1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality
1.3 The radioscopic extent, the quality level, and the Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiology
acceptance criteria to be applied shall be specified in the
contract, purchase order, product specification, or E 1255 Practice for Radioscopy
drawings. E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1.4 This test method can be used for the detection of 2.2 ASNT Standards:
discontinuities. This test method also facilitates the exami-
ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A Personnel
nation of a weld from several directions, such as perpendic-
Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ular to the weld surface and along both weld bevel angles.
The radioscopic techniques described in this test method ANSI/ASNT CP-189-ASNT Standard for Qualification
provide adequate assurance for defect detectability; how- and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
ever, it is recognized that, for special applications, specific 2.3 Military Standard:
techniques using more stringent requirements may be
needed to provide additional detection capability. The use NAS 410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
of specific radioscopic techniques shall be agreed upon Personnel
between purchaser and supplier.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be 3. Terminology
regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses 3.1 Definitions:
are for information only.
3.1.1 Definitions of terms applicable to this test
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of method may be found in Terminology E 1316.
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 4. Apparatus
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific 4.1 Radiation Source (X-Ray or Gamma-Ray) — Selec-
precautionary statements are given in Section 7. tion of the appropriate source is dependent upon variables

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 ARTICLE 22, SE-1416 2007 SECTION V

regarding the weld being examined, such as material com- 4.9 Location and Identification Markers — Lead num-
position and thickness. The suitability of the source shall bers and letters should be used to designate the part number
be demonstrated by attainment of the required image qual- and location number. The size and thickness of the markers
ity and compliance with all other requirements stipulated shall depend on the ability of the radioscopic technique to
herein. Guidance on the selection of the radiation source discern the markers on the images. As a general rule,
may be found in Guide E 1000 and Practice E 1255. markers from 0.06 to 0.12 in. (1.5 to 3 mm) thick will
suffice for most low energy (less than 1 MeV) X-ray and
4.2 Manipulation System — Selection of the appropriate
iridium192 radioscopy. For higher energy (greater than 1
manipulation system (where applicable) is dependent upon
MeV and cobalt60) radioscopy, it may be necessary to use
variables such as the size and orientation of the object
markers that are thicker [0.12 in. (3 mm) thick or more].
being examined and the range of motions, speed of manipu-
In cases where the system being used provides a display
lation, and smoothness of motion. The suitability of the
of object position within the image, this shall be acceptable
manipulation system shall be demonstrated by attainment
as identification of object location.
of the required image quality and compliance with all other
requirements stipulated herein. Guidance on the selection
of the manipulation system may be found in Practice E
5. Materials
1255.
5.1 Recording Media — Recording media for storage
4.3 Imaging System — Selection of the appropriate of images shall be in a format agreed by the purchaser and
imaging system is dependent upon variables such as the supplier. This may include either analog or digital media.
size of the object being examined and the energy and
intensity of the radiation used for the examination. The
suitability of the imaging system shall be demonstrated by 6. Basis of Application
attainment of the required image quality and compliance
6.1 Personnel Qualification — NDT personnel shall be
with all other requirements stipulated herein. Guidance on
qualified in accordance with a nationally recognized NDT
the selection of an imaging system may be found in Guide
personnel qualification practice or standard such as ANSI/
E 1000 and Practice E 1255.
ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS 410, or a similar docu-
4.4 Image Processing System — Where agreed between ment. The practice or standard used and its applicable
purchaser and supplier, image processing systems may be revision shall be specified in the contractual agreement
used for noise reduction through image integration or aver- between the using parties.
aging, contrast enhancement and other image processing
6.2 Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies —
operations.
If specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies
4.5 Collimation — Selection of appropriate collimation shall be qualified and evaluated as described in Practice E
is dependent upon the geometry of the object being exam- 543. The applicable edition of Practice E 543 shall be
ined. It is generally useful to select collimation to limit specified in the contractual agreement.
the primary radiation beam to the weld and the immediately
6.3 Time of Examination — The time of examination
adjacent base material in order to improve radioscopic
shall be in accordance with 9.1 unless otherwise specified.
image quality.
6.4 Procedures and Techniques — The procedures and
4.6 Filters and Masking — Filters and masking may be
techniques to be utilized shall be as described in this test
used to improve image quality from contrast reductions
method unless otherwise specified. Specific techniques
caused by low-energy scattered radiation. Guidance on the
may be specified in the contractual agreement.
use of filters and masking can be found in Guide E 94.
6.5 Extent of Examination — The extent of examination
4.7 Image Quality Indicators (IQI) — Unless otherwise
shall be in accordance with 8.3 unless otherwise specified.
specified by the applicable job order or contract, image
quality indicators shall comply with the design and identi- 6.6 Reporting Criteria/Acceptance Criteria —
fication requirements specified in Practices E 747 or E Reporting criteria for the examination results shall be in
1025. accordance with Section 10 unless otherwise specified.
Acceptance criteria shall be specified in the contractual
4.8 Shims, Separate Blocks, or Like Sections — Shims,
agreement.
separate blocks, or like sections made of the same or radio-
scopically similar materials (as defined in Practice E 1025) 6.7 Reexamination of Repaired/Reworked Items —
may be used to facilitate image quality indicator position- Reexamination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed
ing as described in 9.10.3. The like section should be in this test method and if required shall be specified in the
geometrically similar to the object being examined. contractual agreement.

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2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 22, SE-1416

7. Safety purchaser and supplier and shall be specified in the applica-

7.1 Radioscopic procedures shall comply with applica- ble job order or contract. Radioscopic quality shall be
ble city, state, and federal safety regulations. specified in terms of equivalent penetrameter (IQI) sensitiv-
ity and shall be measured using image quality indicators
conforming to Practices E 747 or E 1025.
8. Requirements
8.6 Acceptance Level — Accept and reject levels shall
8.1 Procedure Requirement — Unless otherwise speci-
be stipulated by the applicable contract, job order, drawing,
fied by the applicable job order or contract, radioscopic
or other purchaser and supplier agreement.
examination shall be performed in accordance with a writ-
ten procedure. Specific requirements regarding the prepara- 8.7 Image-Viewing Facilities — Viewing facilities shall
tion and approval of the written procedures shall be as provide subdued background lighting of an intensity that
agreed by purchaser and supplier. The production proce- will not cause troublesome reflection, shadows, or glare
dure shall address all applicable portions of this test method on the image.
and shall be available for review during interpretation of the 8.8 Storage of Images — When storage is required by
images. The written procedure shall include the following: the applicable job order or contract, the images should be
8.1.1 Material and thickness range to be examined, stored in a format stipulated by the applicable contract,
8.1.2 Equipment to be used, including specifications job order, drawing, or other purchaser and supplier
of source parameters (such as tube voltage, current, focal agreement. The image-storage duration and location shall
spot size) and imaging equipment parameters (such as be as agreed between purchaser and supplier.
detector size, field of view, electronic magnification, cam-
era black level, gain), 9. Procedure
8.1.3 Examination geometry, including source-to- 9.1 Time of Examination — Unless otherwise specified
object distance, object-to-detector distance and orientation, by the applicable job order or contract, perform radioscopy
8.1.4 Image quality indicator designation and prior to heat treatment.
placement, 9.2 Surface Preparation — Unless otherwise agreed
8.1.5 Test-object scan plan, indicating the range of upon, remove the weld bead ripple or weld-surface irregu-
motions and manipulation speeds through which the test larities on both the inside and outside (where accessible) by
object shall be manipulated in order to ensure satisfactory any suitable process so that the image of the irregularities
results (see description in 5.2.1.2 of Practice E 1255), cannot mask, or be confused with, the image of any discon-
8.1.6 Image-processing parameters, tinuity. Interpretation can be optimized if surface irregulari-
ties are removed such that the image of the irregularities
8.1.7 Image-display parameters, and is not discernible.
8.1.8 Image storage.
9.3 Source to Detector Distance — Unless otherwise
8.2 Radioscopic Coverage — Unless otherwise speci- specified in the applicable job order or contract, geometric
fied by purchaser and supplier agreement, the extent of unsharpness (Ug) shall not exceed the following:
radioscopic coverage shall include 100% of the volume of Material Thickness Ug, max, in. (mm)
the weld and the adjacent base metal.
under 2 in. (50 mm) 0.020 (0.50)
8.3 Examination Speed — For dynamic examination, 2 through 3 in. (50 through 75 mm) 0.030 (0.75)
the speed of object motion relative to the radiation source over 3 through 4 in. (75 through 0.040 (1.00)
100 mm)
and detector shall be controlled to ensure that the required
greater than 4 in. (100 mm) 0.070 (1.75)
radioscopic quality level is achieved.
8.4 Radioscopic Image Quality — All images shall be Determine geometric unsharpness values as specified in
free of marks or other blemishes that could mask or be Guide E 94.
confused with the image of any discontinuity in the area 9.4 Examination Speed — For dynamic examination,
of interest. It may be possible to prevent blemishes from determine the speed of object motion relative to the radia-
masking discontinuities or being confused with discontinu- tion source and detector upon agreement between the pur-
ities by moving the object being examined relative to the chaser and supplier. Base this determination upon the
imaging device. If any doubt exists as to the true nature achievement of the required radioscopic quality level at
of an indication exhibited in the image, the image shall be that examination speed.
rejected and a new image of the area shall be made. 9.5 Direction of the Radiation — Direct the central beam
8.5 Radioscopic Quality Level — Radioscopic quality of radiation perpendicularly toward the center of the effec-
level shall be determined upon agreement between the tive area of the detector or to a plane tangent to the center

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 ARTICLE 22, SE-1416 2007 SECTION V

of the image, to the maximum extent possible, except for the image quality indicators on the detector side. The appli-
double-wall exposure-double-wall viewing elliptical pro- cable job order or contract shall specify the applicable
jection techniques, as described in 9.14.2. detector-side quality level. The accompanying documents
shall clearly indicate that the image quality indicators were
9.6 Scattered Radiation — Scattered radiation (radiation
located on the detector side.
scattered from the test object and from surrounding struc-
tures) reduces radioscopic contrast and may produce unde- 9.10 Separate Block — When configuration or size pre-
sirable effects on radioscopic quality. Use precautions such vents placing the image quality indicators on the object
as collimation of the source, collimation of the detector, being examined, use a shim, separate block or like section
and additional shielding as appropriate to minimize the conforming to the requirements of 4.8 provided the follow-
detrimental effects of this scattered radiation. ing conditions are met:
9.7 Image Quality Indicator Selection — For selection 9.10.1 The image quality indicator is no closer to the
of the image quality indicator, the thickness on which the detector than the source side of the object being examined
image quality indicator is based is the single-wall thickness (unless otherwise specified).
plus the lesser of the actual or allowable reinforcement. 9.10.2 The radioscopic brightness in the area of the
Backing strips or rings are not considered as part of the image quality indicator including the shim, separate block,
weld or reinforcement thickness for image quality indicator or like section and IQI where applicable are similar to the
selection. For any thickness, an image quality indicator brightness in the area of interest.
acceptable for thinner materials may be used, provided all
9.10.3 The shim, separate block, or like section is
other requirements for radioscopy are met.
placed as close as possible to the object being examined.
9.8 Number of Image Quality Indicators: 9.10.4 When hole-type image quality indicators are
9.8.1 Place at least one image quality indicator (Prac- used, the shim, separate block, or like section dimensions
tices E 747 or E 1025) in the area of interest representing shall exceed the image quality indicator dimensions such
an area in which the brightness is relatively uniform. The that the outline of at least three sides of the image quality
degree of brightness uniformity shall be agreed upon indicator image is visible on the image.
between purchaser and supplier. If the image brightness
in an area of interest differs by more than the agreed 9.11 Shim Utilization — When a weld reinforcement or
amount, use two image quality indicators. Use one image backing ring and strip is not removed, place a shim of
quality indicator to demonstrate acceptable image quality material that is radioscopically similar to the backing ring
in the darkest portion of the image and use one image and strip under the image quality indicators to provide
quality indicator to demonstrate acceptable image quality approximately the same thickness of material under the
in the lightest portion of the image. image quality indicator as the average thickness of the
weld reinforcement plus the wall thickness, backing ring
9.8.2 When a series of images are made under identi- and strip.
cal conditions, it is permissible for the image quality indica-
tors to be used only on the first and last images in the 9.11.1 Shim Dimensions and Location — When hole-
series, provided this is agreed upon between the purchaser type image quality indicators are used, the shim dimensions
and supplier. In this case, it is not necessary for the image and location shall exceed the image quality indicator
quality indicators to appear in each image. dimensions by at least 0.12 in. (3 mm) on at least three
sides. At least three sides of the image quality indicator
9.8.3 Always retain qualifying images, on which shall be discernible in accordance with 9.10.4 except that
one or more image quality indicators were imaged during only the two ends of the image quality indicator need to
exposure, as part of the record to validate the required be discernible when located on piping less than 1 in. (25
image quality indicator sensitivity and placement. mm) nominal pipe size. Place the shim so as not to overlap
9.9 Image Quality Indicator Placement: the weld image including the backing strip or ring.
9.9.1 Place the image quality indicator on the source 9.11.2 Shim Image Brightness — The image bright-
side adjacent to the weld being examined. Where the weld ness of the shim image shall be similar to the image bright-
metal is not radioscopically similar to the base material or ness of the area of interest.
where geometry precludes placement adjacent to the weld, 9.12 Location Markers — Place location markers out-
place the image quality indicator over the weld or on a side the weld area. The radioscopic image of the location
separate block, as described in 9.10. markers for the identification of the part location with the
9.9.2 Detector-Side Image Quality Indicators — In image shall appear on the image without interfering with
those cases where the physical placement of the image the interpretation and with such an arrangement that it is
quality indicators on the source side is not possible, place evident that complete coverage was obtained.

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 2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 22, SE-1416

9.12.1 Double-Wall Technique — When using a tech- 9.14.4 For radioscopic techniques that prevent sin-
nique in which radiation passes through two walls and gle-wall exposures due to restricted access, such as jacketed
the welds in both walls are simultaneously viewed for pipe or ship hull, the technique should be agreed upon in
acceptance, and the entire image of the object being exam- advance between the purchaser and supplier. It should be
ined is displayed, only one location marker is required in recognized that image quality indicator sensitivities based
the image. on single-wall thickness may not be obtainable under some
9.12.2 Series of Images — For welds that require a conditions.
series of images to cover the full length or circumference
of the weld, apply the complete set of location markers at
one time, wherever possible. A reference or zero position 10. Records
for each series must be identified on the component. A 10.1 Maintain the following radioscopic records as
known feature on the object (for example, keyway, nozzle, agreed between purchaser and supplier:
and axis line) may also be used for establishment of a 10.1.1 Radioscopic standard shooting sketch, includ-
reference position. Indicate this feature on the radioscopic ing examination geometry, source-to-object distance,
record. object-to-detector distance and orientation,
9.12.3 Similar Welds — On similar type welds on a 10.1.2 Material and thickness range examined,
single component, the sequence and spacing of the location
10.1.3 Equipment used, including specification of
markers must conform to a uniform system that shall be
source parameters (such as tube voltage, current, focal spot
positively identified in the radioscopic procedure or inter-
size) and imaging equipment parameters (such as detector
pretation records. In addition, reference points on the com-
size, field of view, electronic magnification, camera
ponent will be shown on the sketch to indicate the direction
blacklevel, gain, etc.) and display parameters,
of the numbering system.
10.1.4 Image quality indicator (and shim, if used)
9.13 Image Identification — Provide a system of posi- placement,
tive identification of the image. As a minimum, the follow-
ing shall appear on the image: the name or symbol of the 10.1.5 Test-object scan plan, including ranges of
company performing radioscopy, the date, and the weld motion and manipulation speeds,
identification number traceable to part and contract. Iden- 10.1.6 Image processing parameters,
tify subsequent images made of a repaired area with the 10.1.7 Image-storage data,
letter “R.”
10.1.8 Weld repair documentation, and
9.14 Radioscopic Techniques:
10.1.9 Image — Interpretation record shall contain
9.14.1 Single-Wall Technique — Except as provided as a minimum the following information:
in 9.14.2, 9.14.3, and 9.14.4, perform radioscopy using
a technique in which the radiation passes through only 10.1.9.1 Disposition of each image (acceptable or
one wall. rejectable),
9.14.2 Double-Wall Technique for Circumferential 10.1.9.2 If rejectable, cause for rejection (slag,
Welds — For circumferential welds 4 in. (100 mm) outside crack, porosity, etc.),
diameter (3.5 in. nominal pipe size) or less, use a technique 10.1.9.3 Surface indication verified by visual
in which the radiation passes through both walls and both examination (grinding marks, weld ripple, spatter, etc.),
walls are viewed for acceptance on the same image. Unless and
otherwise specified, either elliptical or superimposed pro- 10.1.9.4 Signature of the image interpreter, includ-
jections may be used. A sufficient number of views should ing level.
be taken to examine the entire weld. Where design or
access restricts a practical technique from examining the
entire weld, agreement between contracting parties must 11. Precision and Bias
specify necessary weld coverage. 11.1 No statement is made about either precision or
9.14.3 For circumferential welds greater than 4 in. bias of this test method since the result merely states
(100 mm) outside diameter (3.5 in. nominal pipe size), use whether there is conformance to the criteria of success
a technique in which only single-wall viewing is per- specified in the procedure.
formed. A sufficient number of views should be taken to
examine the entire weld. Where design or access restricts
a practical technique from examining the entire weld, 12. Keywords
agreement between contracting parties must specify neces- 12.1 gamma ray; nondestructive testing; radioscopic
sary weld coverage. examination; radioscopy; weldments; X-ray

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