ASTM E1254-13(2023)

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: E1254 − 13 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Guide for
Storage of Radiographs and Unexposed Industrial
Radiographic Films
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1254; 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 2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 18901 Imaging Materials—Processed silver-gelatin
1.1 This guide may be used for the control and maintenance
type black-and-white films - Specifications for stability
of industrial radiographs and unexposed films used for indus-
ISO 18902 Imaging Materials—Processed photographic
trial radiography.
films, plates, and papers - Filing enclosures and storage
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
containers
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
ISO 18916 Processed Photographic Materials—
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Photographic activity test for enclosure materials
and are not considered standard.
ISO 18917 Photography—Determination of residual thiosul-
fate and other related chemicals in processed photographic
NOTE 1—For information purposes, refer to Terminology E1316. The
terms stated therein, however, are not specifically referenced in the text of
materials - Methods using iodine-amylose, methylene blue
this document.
and silver sulfide
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 The provisions of this guide are intended to control the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
quality of industrial radiographs and unexposed films only and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
are not intended for controlling the acceptability of the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
materials or products radiographed. It is further intended that
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
this guide be used as an adjunct to Guide E94.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2 The necessity for applying specific control procedures
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
such as those described in this guide is dependent to a certain
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
extent, on the degree to which a user adheres to good
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
processing and storage practices as a matter of routine proce-
dure.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Unexposed Film Storage
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination Using Industrial
4.1 Unopened Containers:
Radiographic Film
4.1.1 Storage Recommendations—Any films in containers
E746 Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Re-
sealed by the manufacturer and not opened should be stored
sponse of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems
with the films on edge, or as recommended by the specific
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
manufacturer, to avoid container damage and possible film
damage. Storage temperature should be between 40 °F (4.4 °C)
and 75 °F (24 °C) at a relative humidity range of 30 % to 60 %.
4.1.2 Higher Storage Temperatures—When temperatures
exceed 90 °F (32 °C) for 30 days, some unexposed films may
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestruc-
be processed under normal existing conditions to test for
tive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on Radiology
(X and Gamma) Method.
fogging. The outside sheets in a pack of cut films or the ends
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
of rolled films are most affected by heat. If excessive fogging
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E1254 – 13 (2018).
is found on these samples, subsequent sampling may be done
DOI: 10.1520/E1254-13R23.
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 on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1254 − 13 (2023)
on inner sheets or further in on the rolls to avoid unnecessary residual thiosulfate and radiograph storage conditions, factors
scrap. A limit of 0.30 density units total for the base density and such as the temperature, humidity, and air flow in the storage
fog is acceptable (see 4.3) for industrial radiographic films. facility must be considered as they affect this rate (see
4.1.3 Lower Storage Temperatures—The temperature can be ISO 18901). If radiographs are stored at or below the upper
lower than 40 °F (4.4 °C) as lower temperatures reduce the rate limits of the temperature and relative humidity ranges de-
of heat and age fogging. However, lower temperatures will scribed in 4.1.1, stain generation will be minimized and
have no effect on background radiation fogging. Films stored at lowered as these two parameters are lowered. Again, be aware
these lower temperatures in unopened containers should be of possible film emulsion cracking at very low humidities.
allowed to stabilize at room temperature before opening the 5.2.1 Testing for Residual Thiosulfate—The procedure de-
containers. The stabilization time varies with the bulk of the scribed in ISO 18917 as the silver densitometric method for
stored films and the temperature stored at. The lower the measuring residual thiosulfate details a silver nitrate-acetic
temperature and greater the bulk the longer the time required to acid reagent. A solution that can be used as a spot test for
reach room temperature. If the containers are opened too soon, residual thiosulfate is as follows: Dissolve 10 g silver nitrate in
condensation could cause the films to stick to whatever is a solution of 30 mL glacial acetic acid in 750 mL water. Dilute
touching their surfaces. to 1 L and store in brown, glass-stoppered bottle. Discard if
4.1.4 Lower or Higher Storage Humidities—If the relative darkened. Two minutes after a drop of this solution has been
humidity is below 30 % and the moisture in the films is placed on the lowest density area of a radiograph, a stain will
reduced sufficiently, film emulsion cracking or damage can appear if any residual thiosulfate is present. The intensity of the
occur during handling after opening the sealed containers, and stain will approximate the maximum amount of discoloration
the films may be subjected to static electrical discharges.
that one side of the radiograph will ever reach during any kind
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