Radiographic Testing
Radiography is used in a very wide range of aplications including medicine,
engineering, forensics, security, etc. In NDT, radiography is one of the most
important and widely used methods. Radiographic testing (RT) offers a
number of advantages over other NDT methods, however, one of its major
disadvantages is the health risk associated with the radiation.
In general, RT is method of inspecting materials for hidden flaws
by using the ability of short wavelength electromagnetic radiation
(high energy photons) to penetrate various materials. The
intensity of the radiation that penetrates and passes through the
material is either captured by a radiation sensitive film (Film
Radiography) or by a planer array of radiation sensitive sensors
(Real-time Radiography). Film radiography is the oldest approach,
yet it is still the most widely used in NDT.
Basic Principles
In radiographic testing, the part to be inspected is
placed between the radiation source and a piece of
radiation sensitive film. The radiation source can either
be an X-ray machine or a radioactive source (Ir-192,
Co-60, or in rare cases Cs-137). The part will stop some
of the radiation where thicker and more dense areas
will stop more of the radiation. The radiation that
passes through the part will expose the film and forms
a shadowgraph of the part. The film darkness (density)
will vary with the amount of radiation reaching the film
through the test object where darker areas indicate
more exposure (higher radiation intensity) and lighter
areas indicate less exposure (lower radiation intensity).
This variation in the image darkness can be used to
determine thickness or composition of material and
would also reveal the presence of any flaws or
discontinuities inside the material.
Introduction to Non-Destructive Testing Techniques Instructor: Dr. Ala Hijazi
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Advantages and Disadvantages
The primary advantages and disadvantages as compared to other NDT methods are:
Advantages
Both surface and internal discontinuities can be detected.
Significant variations in composition can be detected.
It has a very few material limitations.
Can be used for inspecting hidden areas (direct access to surface is not required)
Very minimal or no part preparation is required.
Permanent test record is obtained.
Good portability especially for gamma-ray sources.
Disadvantages
Hazardous to operators and other nearby personnel.
High degree of skill and experience is required for exposure and interpretation.
The equipment is relatively expensive (especially for x-ray sources).
The process is generally slow.
Highly directional (sensitive to flaw orientation).
Depth of discontinuity is not indicated.
It requires a two-sided access to the component.
PHYSICS OF RADIATION
Nature of Penetrating Radiation
Both X-rays and gamma rays are electromagnetic waves and on the electromagnetic
spectrum they ocupy frequency ranges that are higher than ultraviolate radiation. In
terms of frequency, gamma rays generaly have higher frequencies than X-rays as seen
in the figure. The major distenction between X-rays and gamma rays is the origion
where X-rays are usually artificially produced using an X-ray generator and gamma
radiation is the product of radioactive materials. Both X-rays and gamma rays are
waveforms, as are light rays, microwaves, and radio waves. X-rays and gamma rays
cannot been seen, felt, or heard. They possess no charge and no mass and, therefore,
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