ASTM F2547-18(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: F2547 − 18 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Attenuation Properties in a Primary X-ray
Beam of Materials Used to Protect Against Radiation
Generated During the Use of X-ray Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2547; 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 3.1.1.1 Discussion—In this test method, the attenuation is
calculated as 1 minus the ratio of the measured exposure with
1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring
a protective material in the beam to the measured exposure
the attenuation of X-rays by protective materials at accelerating
without the protective material in the beam at a specific
potentials from 60 to 130 kVp.
accelerating potential. Multiplying the resulting value by 100
1.2 This test method provides attenuation values of primary
gives percent attenuation.
beam X-radiation.
exposure with sample
Attenuation percent 5 1 2 × 100 (1)
~ ! S D
1.3 This test method applies to both leaded and non-leaded
exposure without sample
radiation protective clothing materials.
3.1.2 coeffıcient of variation, n—the ratio of the standard
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
deviation of a sample to the sample mean.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 exposure, n—for radiological purposes, the amount of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ionization in air at standard conditions caused by interaction
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
with X-rays, expressed in units of Roentgen (R) or milliroent-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gen (mR). The SI units are Coulomb per kilogram (C/kg).
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
–4
1 Roentgen = 2.58 × 10 C/kg.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.4 half-value layer (HVL), n—the thickness of aluminum,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- in millimetres (commonly designated mmAl), that reduces the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical intensity of the X-ray beam by one half.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—The HVL is dependent on the energy of
the X-ray beam and, therefore, is different for X-rays produced
2. Referenced Documents
at different accelerating potentials.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.5 ionization chamber, n—a device that measures the
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
electrical charge liberated during the ionization of air mol-
ecules by electromagnetic radiation (X-rays for the purposes of
3. Terminology
this test method), expressed in units of coulombs per kilogram
3.1 Definitions:
of air.
3.1.1 attenuation, n—for radiological protective material,
3.1.6 kilovolts, peak (kVp), n—the maximum electrical po-
the reduction in the intensity of the X-ray beam resulting from
tential across an X-ray tube during an exposure, expressed in
the interactions between the X-ray beam and the protective
kilovolts.
material that occur when the X-ray beam passes through the
protective material.
3.1.7 lead equivalency, n—for radiological protective
material, the thickness in millimetres of lead (commonly
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal designated mmPb) of greater than 99.9 % purity that provides
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
the same attenuation as a given protective material.
F23.70 on Radiological Hazards.
3.1.7.1 Discussion—This test method provides the attenua-
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
tion of the material and not the lead equivalency. Determining
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F2547 – 18. DOI:
10.1520/F2547-18R23.
lead equivalency would require testing lead of known thickness
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and purity, and comparing the attenuation of the protective
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
material with the attenuation of the lead. The lead equivalency
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. may be determined based on published half or tenth thickness
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2547 − 18 (2023)
values. When lead equivalency is stated, the source of pub- 6. Apparatus
lished values shall be stated as the basis of calculation.
6.1 Primary X-ray Beam Source—A variable power, high-
I
frequency X-ray generator coupled with X-ray tube equipped
X 5 ln ⁄2μ (2)
S D
en
I
with Tungsten anode with the following characteristics:
o
6.1.1 The wave form ripple does not exceed 3 %.
where:
6.1.2 The coefficient of variation for the exposure does not
X = Pb equivalency,
exceed 0.05 as determined using four consecutive exposures.
I/I = attenuation (fraction) = incident intensity/transmitted
o
6.1.3 The coefficient of variation for kVp does not exceed
intensity, and
–1
μ = Pb energy absorption coefficient at test energy, cm . 0.05 determined using four consecutive test measurements at
en
the kVp setting used in testing.
3.1.8 scatter radiation, n—a form of secondary radiation
resulting from the interaction of the primary X-ray beam and 6.2 An invasive or non-invasive kVp measuring device
capable of measuring the kVp accuracy within 0.5 kVp.
the target (for example, protective material being tested or a
patient undergoing a medical procedure).
6.3 An ionization chamber and electrometer capable of
3.1.9 secondary radiation, n—radiation outside the primary measuring from 1 mR to 5 R.
X-ray beam.
6.4 Shielding material may be used around apparatus to
3.1.10 shielding, n—for radiological purposes, any material improve precision.
or obstruction that attenuates radiation to protect personnel or
equipment from the effects of ionizing radiation.
7. Hazards
3.1.11 wave form ripple, n—for radiological purposes, the
7.1 All individuals performing tests using this test method
peak-to-peak variation in the output voltage of the X-ray
shall wear X-ray protective clothing or be positioned behind
generator.
stationary shielding when the X-ray beam is activated.
3.2 For definitions of other terms related to protective 7.2 All individuals performing tests using this test method
clothing used in this test method, refer to Terminology F1494.
shall be monitored for radiation exposure by wearing personal
dosimetry commensurate with the testing facilities’ radiation
4. Summary of Test Method
safety programs.
4.1 A primary X-ray beam with a standardized energy
8. Sampling and Test Specimens
spectrum and constant intensity is configured to pass through
the test setup. An ionization chamber, calibrated for the energy 8.1 Test specimens may come from protective material
range of X-rays produced at accelerating pote
...