Advancements in CR Radiography:

Jimmy Opdekamp
GE Inspection Technologies, Berchem, Belgium

Abstract:

Digital Radiography using storage phosphor plates is known as “Computed Radiography” or CR

for short. This “filmless” technique is for many applications an excellent alternative for
traditional X-ray films. In addition to the reduced cost of consumables, CR-technology is more
sensitive to radiation, thus requiring a lower exposure dose and shorter exposure times. The high
dynamic range of CR makes it a ‘more forgiving’ technology than Film Radiography resulting in
fewer retakes.

In 2005 the European Standard EN 14784 and the ASTM 2445/2446 and have been published.
These standards describe a qualification method and a classification for CR systems - additionally
CR was also adopted in ASME V. CR Technology is introduced in more and more applications
for instance in the Oil & Gas and Chemical Industry (Corrosion monitoring, weld inspection) , in
the Aerospace Industry (Castings Inspection) and in Security Applications.

One of the main advantages of CR is the digital data format. Digital data give the user a better
data access, allow for data sharing and networking, and they enable archiving easy data retrieval.
This makes it possible for the user to rethink his data management and his workflow. With the
current technology inspections and evaluations can for instance be done remotely. The adoption
of the DICONDE data format in the NDT Industry will further promote the digital format.

GEIT has developed an NDT multimodal software platform for reviewing, analyzing, archiving
and sharing digital inspection information. It can be configured for the specific user needs and
contains application specific tools to improve efficiency and reproducibility of results. One
example is the Wall Thickness Measurement Tool that was validated by the BAM Institute.

This presentation gives an overview of the current status of the CR Technology, the CR standards
and some successful applications. It also shows some of the advantages and benefits that the
software brings to the inspection process.
1. Introduction to Computed Radiography: CR is a two step process. The image is not
formed directly, but through an intermediate phase as is the case with conventional X-ray film.
Instead of storing the latent image in silver halide crystals and developing it chemically, the latent
image with CR is stored (the intermediate phase) in a radiation sensitive phosphor layer.
The Image information is, elsewhere and later, converted into light in the CR-scanner by means
of laser stimulation and only then transformed into a digital image. The phosphor layer
consisting of fine grains has been applied to a flexible, transparent carrier and been provided with
a protective coating.

As a result of incident X-Ray or gamma-ray radiation on the storage phosphor, parts of its
electrons are excited and trapped in a semi-stable, higher energy state. This creates the latent
(invisible) image in the screen.

These trapped electrons can be released again by laser beam

CR energy stimulation, causing visible (blue) light to be
emitted, which then can be captured by a PMT (Photo-
Multiplier Tube) and converted into a digital signal. This
process takes place in the phosphor plate scanner.

Speed of exposure and obtained image quality are strongly related with each other. That is why
different application will have the need for different type of imaging plates. In applications where
the main factor is the reduction of exposure time (typically the on-stream applications, where wall
thickness of tubular pipes is measured, and Agfa D7 film – like defect recognition is required),
the standard storage phosphor screens can be used. This will result in exposure dose reduction of
a factor 10 compared to traditional film. If the defect recognition becomes more important, the
premium image quality storage phosphor plates can be used for sharper and higher quality. The
specially designed NDT cassettes with or without built-in lead sheets avoid any unnecessary plate
handling, increasing the lifetime by 3 times.
 NEW
IPS

IPX NEW
IPC2
IPC

FASTER IP

Exposure time @3500SAL

2. CR-Scanner assortment:
The CRxTower digitizer has been designed for utmost
convenience in digitizing 15x30cm, 20x25cm, 20x30cm and
35x42cm imaging plates at an optical resolution of 50 microns.
The practical cassette system limits the handling of the plates to a
minimum. The cassette is placed in the scanner’s input tray. The
internal mechanism brings the cassette in place, takes the plate out
of the cassette, transports it to the scanner unit, erases the plate
after scanning and places the plate back in the cassette. The
cassette is then unloaded from the scanner, ready for the next
exposure.
CR50P and CR50XP are both portable computed radiography
scanners (22kg (14kg)) that are light and compact enough to be
used for on-site inspections at remote locations. They are the
first field portable scanners in the GE Inspection Technologies
portfolio with 50µm scanning capability, and are ideal for ap-
plications requiring both high throughput and high resolution.
For applications where speed and efficiency are of the essence,
CR 50P and CR50XP really perform. The ability to manage
custom sized imaging plates (up to 35cm (30cm) width),
makes it ideal for applications such as weld examination
and inspection of castings in foundries. There’s no wait-
ing between plates, you can feed the next one in while the
previous plate is still being scanned.
3. The digital radiography workstation:
Rhythm Review is a powerful PC-based DICOM/DICONDE workstation platform which
provides scalable image and data management solutions for non-destructive testing applications.
The Rhythm Review workstation has an easy to learn and intuitive user interface and runs on the
popular Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems, making it easy for anyone with basic
PC skills to get started.

Designed for high throughput image examination

and disposition, the software has been tailored
specifically for industrial applications and
complies with DICOM/DICONDE standards. The
software layout and available controls can be
configured for various classes of users, such as
inspectors and supervisors. The configurable
features include a configurable View port with
variable magnifier for reviewing related images
and making comparisons to a master image or
historical data, a Pictorial Index (and Data Selector

for rapid image identification) and workflow

planning, observation documentation
capability for reporting, a set of Tool tabs
providing access to key functions, and
Toolbars that provide single-click shortcuts
to commonly used functions.

Rhythm Review allows for part specific

image review techniques (including
predefined sets of fixed grayscale,
magnification, and filtering options) to be developed and optimized by supervisors, ensuring
images are reviewed consistently and to minimize the reviewer’s time.

4. CR Imaging provides many benefits compared to Traditional Film Radiography:

Computed Radiography examination requires lower exposure doses resulting in smaller safety
perimeters, shorter plant shutdowns and longer isotope source life. If the same source activity is
applied as with traditional film radiography, the exposure time can be dramatically reduced.
Required technique for CR is more forgiven than for film as there is less risk for under- or
overexposure. Because of the high latitude,
different material thicknesses can be displayed in
one single shot.
Once the digital image is available to the user,
common imaging tools like contrast/brightness
enhancement, panning, scroll and zooming are
available for easier and faster analyzing of defect
indications. Networking access and electronic
distribution of digital images and data comes in
place. Digital data archive solutions provide efficient space utilization and facilitates intelligent
data management.
When going CR, darkroom facilities are not required anymore. No more expensive film and
chemicals consumption is required. No environmental issues with film and chemical disposal
anymore. All of this can be taken into account for justification of the digital equipment
purchase cost and in order to determine how fast the system will pay for itself considering future
operating costs.

5. Available standards for Computed Radiography:

CEN Standards:
EN 14784 : Industrial CR with storage phosphor imaging plates
Part 1 : Classification of systems
Part 2 : General principles for examination of metals using X-rays and gamma rays

ASTM standards:
ASTM 2007-00 : Standard Guide for Computed Radiography
ASTM 2033-99 : Standard Practice for Computed Radiography
ASTM 2445-05 : Standard Practice for Qualification and Long-Term Stability of CR systems
ASTM 2446-05 : Standard Practice for Classification of CR systems
ASTM 2339-04 : Digital Imaging and Communication in NDE (DICONDE)

ASME standards:
ASME SEC.V Art.2 Appedix VIII: Radiography using phosphor imaging plates
ASME Code Case 2476: Radiography using storage phosphor imaging plates

Both EN 14784 and ASTM 2446 have defined a system classification characterized by the
parameters “Normalized Signal to Noise Ratio” and “Basic Spatial resolution”. Signal to noise
ratio should be measured in accordance to the step wedge procedure where referred to and
normalized with the spatial resolution of the system.
IP System classes
System class System class System class Minimum
CEN ISO ASTM Signal-noise ratio
IP 1 IP-AS Special 130
IP 2 IP-T 1 117
IP 3 78
IP 4 IP-T2 IP-AS 1 65
IP 5 IP-T3 IP-AS 2 52
IP 6 IP-T4 IP-AS 3 43

For testing of basic spatial resolution, the duplex wire IQI

(EN462-5) can be applied. The duplex wire shall be positioned
directly on the cassette filled with digital imaging plate without
object in between. Measurement shall be performed both
perpendicular and parallel to the scanning direction of the laser
beam. The first unresolved wire pair shall be taken for
determination of the un-sharpness value corresponding to
EN462-5. This is the first wire pair that is projected with a dip between the wires of less than
20%.

The final classification statement about the

system shall be given in following form: IP_X/Y
where X corresponds to minimal normalized
signal–noise ratio and Y to a maximum basic
spatial resolution, e.g. IP3/200.

EN 14784 part 2 specifies general rules for

industrial computed X-and gamma radiography
for flaw detection purposes, using storage
phosphor imaging plates. It is based on the
general principles for Radiographic examination
of metallic materials on the basis of films (EN
444 and ISO 5579). The basic set-up of radiation
source, detector and corresponding geometry shall
be applied in agreement with EN 444 and ISO
5579 and the corresponding product standards as
e.g. EN 1435 for welding and EN 12681 for
foundry.
Mentioned Computed Radiography techniques are
subdivided into two classes, Class A defined as a
‘basic technique’ and Class B defined as a
‘improved technique’ and to be used when Class
A may be insufficiently sensitive.

ASME SEC.V Appendix VIII approved by RT working group committee allows the use of
phosphorous plates in lieu of conventional film sheets.
ASME code 2476 allows the user to perform radiographic examination of materials including
castings and weld using phosphor imaging plate in lieu of film, when the modified provisions to
Article 2 as indicated in the code case and all other requirements of Article 2 are satisfied. In
terms of required sensitivity, the radiography shall be performed with a technique of sufficient
sensitivity to display the designated hole IQI image and the 2T hole, or the essential wire of a
wire IQI.

6. Conclusions:
Over the last years the image quality offered by CR technology has been tremendously increased.
Now that standards are in place, computed radiography is one of the technologies that will
replace film in the future. The right solution and choice will completely depend on the
requirements of the user. Throughput, environment, infrastructure and workflow are the key
factors. Currently, an important challenge is there for the different NDT-federations to inform,
train and support their end-users on how to use, and finally convert to digital radiography

7. References:
European Standard EN14784 part 1 and 2, ASTM Standards E2445-05 and E2446-05, ASME
SEC.V Appendix VIII, ASME code 2476.