ASTM E746-17

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 − 07 (Reapproved 2014) E746 − 17
Standard Practice for
Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial
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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 5.25.3 of this practice. Figure 1
illustrates a relative image quality indicator (RIQI) that has four different steel plaque thicknesses (.015, .010, .008, and .005(0.015,
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0.010, 0.008, and 0.005 in.) sequentially positioned (from top to bottom) on an absorber plate of a ⁄4-in. thick steel plate.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 ranging from 1.92 % EPS (at the top) to .94 % EPS (at the bottom) when exposed to
nominal 200 keV X-ray 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 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. This practicebe
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 E1815is not intended to be used to classify or derive
performance classification categories for, and manufacturer characterization of computed radiography (CR) systems may be found
in Practice E2446radiographic imaging systems. For example, performance classifications of radiographic film systems may be
found within. However, the RIQI and absorber described in this practice are used by Practice E2446 Test Method for manufacturer
characterization of computed radiography (CR) systems and by Practice E1815E2445. to evaluate performance and to monitor long
term stability of CR systems.
1.4 This practice contains an alternate provision whereby industrial radiographic imaging systems may be comparatively
assessed using Lucite plastic material exposed to nominal 30 keV X-ray radiation. The RIQI for this alternate evaluation is also
illustrated in Fig. 1, except the plaque and base plate materials are constructed of Lucite plastic in lieu of steel. EPS values for
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Lucite plastic are provided in Section 5 based upon the use of a 1 ⁄8-in. thick Lucite base plate. 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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 O
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