ASTM E592-20

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Designation: E592 − 15 E592 − 20
Standard Guide to
Obtainable ASTM Equivalent Penetrameter Sensitivity for
Film Radiography of Steel Plates ⁄4 to 2 in. (6 to 51 mm)
Thick with X-Rays and 1 to 6 in. (25 to 152 mm) Thick with
Cobalt-60
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E592; 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 guide to obtainable equivalent penetrameter sensitivity covers the minimum penetrameter thicknesses for which the
image of the 1T and 2T holes is visible for a few practical radiographic conditions. conditions using industrial X-ray film. The
values represent near optimum sensitivity for flat steel plates. Radiographic conditions that give higher values of scatter buildup
from the specimen or backscattered radiation at the image plane will give poorer sensitivity.
1.2 Eight radiographs that illustrate sensitivities obtainable with practical radiographic systems are included as adjuncts to this
guide and maymust be obtainedpurchased from ASTM.
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only. mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E746 Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems
E999 Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Radiographic Film Processing
E1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality Indicators (IQI)
Used for Radiography
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1742 Practice for Radiographic Examination
E1735 Practice for Determining Relative Image Quality Response of Industrial Radiographic Imaging Systems from 4 to 25
MeV
E1815 Test Method for Classification of Film Systems for Industrial Radiography
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 7004 Photography—Industrial Radiographic Films—Determination of ISO Speed, ISO Average Gradient, and ISO
Gradients G2 and G4 When Exposed to X- and Gamma-Radiation
2.3 Military Standard:
NAVSEA Technical Publication T9074-AS-GIB-010/271 Requirements for Nondestructive Testing Methods
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.02 on Reference
Radiological Images.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015June 1, 2020. Published June 2015June 2020. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20092015 as
ε1
E592 - 99E592 – 15.(2009) . DOI: 10.1520/E0592-99R15.10.1520/E0592-20.
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 the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), 1333 Isaac Hull Avenue, SE, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20376, https://www.navsea.navy.mil.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E592 − 20
NOTE 1—The demonstration radiograph numbers on curves refer to
exposure conditions given in Table 1Table 1.
FIG. 41 Obtainable Penetrameter Sensitivity for Cobalt-60 Radiog-
raphy of 1 and 4-in.4 in. (25 and 102-mm)102 mm) Thick Steel at
36-in. (914-mm) Distance.36 in. (914 mm) Distance
2.4 ASTM Adjuncts:
Guide for Equivalent Penetrameter Sensitivity Between X-Rays and Cobalt-60
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology E1316, Section D.
3.2 Definitions:Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 demonstration radiograph, n—radiographs from which data was gathered for Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.For
3.2.2 reference radiograph, n—the adjunct materials illustrations. definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
Terminology E1316, Section D.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 A key consideration with any radiographic system is its contrast resolution and spatial resolution capability (that is,
sensitivity). The degree of obtainable sensitivity with a given system is dependent upon several radiographic parameters such as
source energy level, film system class, type and thickness of intensifying screens, exposure (density), etc. This guide permits the
user to estimate the degree of sensitivity that may be obtained with X-rays and cobalt-60Cobalt-60 gamma rays when using a
prescribed set of radiographic parameters. This guide may also be used in conjunction with Test Methods Practices E746 or E1735
to provide a basis for developing data for evaluation of a user’s specific system. This data may assist a user in determining
appropriate parameters for obtaining desired degrees of radiographic system sensitivity. An alternate to this approach is the use of
those adjunct radiographic illustrations detailed in Section 6.
5. Procedure
5.1 Sensitivity for ⁄4 to 2-in.2 in. (6 to 51-mm)51 mm) Thick Steel Using X-Rays:
5.1.1 The values of sensitivity were determined from a statistical study of visibility of images of penetrameter holes. Near
100 % certainty of seeing the image of a hole on any radiograph was taken as the criterion for determining sensitivity. Most
radiographs will show slightly better sensitivity than indicated in Figs. 1-3-35 because of the statistical nature of recording
information from a beam of X-raysX-rays, but occasionally, one will not show quite as good sensitivity.
5.1.2 Equivalent Penetrameter Sensitvity (EPS) is defined in Eq 1. For a full discussion of EPS see Appendix X1 of Practice
E1025.
1⁄2
EPS, % 5 70.7 dT ⁄t (1)
~ !
Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order RRE0592.
E592 − 20
NOTE 1—The demonstration radiograph numbers on curves refer to
exposure conditions given in Table 1.
FIG. 52 Obtainable Penetrameter Sensitivity for Cobalt-60 Radiog-
raphy of 2 and 6-in.6 in. (51 and 152-mm)152 mm) Steel at 36-in.
(914-mm) Distance.36 in. (914 mm) Distance
NOTE 1—See 5.1.4 for exposure conditions.
FIG. 13 Obtainable Penetrameter Sensitivity for ⁄4 to 2-in.2 in. (6 to 51-mm)51 mm) Thick Steel When Radiographing with X-Rays.X-Rays
where:
d = diameter of penetrameter hole,
T = thickness of penetrameter, and
t = specimen thickness.
A clear definition of equivalent penetrameter sensitivity has not been established for penetrameters less than 10 mils (0.25 mm)
thick. For this work, it was calculated as in Eq 1. The change in slope of the steel thickness curves on Fig. 24 and Fig. 35 is a
result of the established 10-mil10 mil minimum hole diameter in Practice E1025 and Practice E1742, Appendix A1.
5.1.3 Fig. 13 illustrates obtainable equivalent penetrameter sensitivity for four X-ray films. The films are identified by reciprocal
speed (see Test Method E1815) when exposed in accordance with ISO 7004 in a 200-kV200 kV range, and processed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations (see Guide E999).
E592 − 20
NOTE 1—See 5.1.4 for exposure conditions.
FIG. 24 Penetrameter Sensitivity and Minimum Penetrameter Markings for Showing the 2T Hole When Radiographing ⁄4 to 2-in.2 in. (6 to
51-mm)51 mm) Thick Steel with X-Rays.X-Rays
NOTE 1—See 5.1.4 for exposure conditions.
FIG. 35 Penetrameter Sensitivity and Minimum Penetrameter Markings for Showing the 1T Hole When Radiographing ⁄4 to 2-in.2 in. (6 to
51-mm)51 mm) Thick Steel with X-Rays.X-Rays
Roentgen
Film Type ISO Speed ASTM Class
Speed
1 17 1700 none
2 4.0 400 III
3 1.2 120 I
4 0.35 35 Special
E592 − 20
5.1.4 The radiographic exposure conditions for reference radiographs 1, 2, 3, and 4 were: 36-in. (914-mm)36 in. (914 mm)
focus-film distance, 5-mil (0.13-mm)5 mil (0.13 mm) front and 10-mil (0.25-mm)10 mil (0.25 mm) back lead screens, 20 mA·min
exposure, and kilovoltage adjusted to give a density of near 2.0. The focal spot size was not recorded with the original data.
5.1.5 Most high-quality industrial X-ray films intended for direct or lead screen exposure, that are exposed and developed
accordingly to give thes
...