GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION (RT)

PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
(No# PAE-001)

CONTENTS

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 1 of 13

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

1.

Scope

2.

General

3.

Reference Documents

4.

Equipment use
- Intensifying screen
- Placement of IQIs
- Number of IQIs
- Selection of IQIs

5.

Area to be examined

6.

Surface preparation

7.

Procedure

8.

Quality of radiographs

9.

Geometric unsharpness

10.

Selection of Radiation Energy

11.

Density

12.

Sensitivity

13.

Radiographic Technique

14.

Film review

15.

Interpretation

16.

Acceptance standards

17.

Reports
RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURE (RT)

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

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GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 3 of 13

(No # PAE - 001)

1)

SCOPE.
This procedure shall govern the methods and requirements for radiographic examination of
welds in accordance with ASME Section V, Boiler & Pressure Vessel code Article 2
Radiographic examination.

2)

3)

GENERAL
2.1

This general procedure shall be used in conjunction with the applicable code.

2.2

Variation in the radiographic examination procedure, equipment and acceptance

standard may be used upon agreement between PAE Technical Service Co., Ltd. and
the client.
The client shall clearly specify any variation in the radiographic examination procedure.

2.4

Demonstration of the density and image quality indicator (IQI) requirements of this
procedure on production radiographs shall be considered satisfactory compliance of
this procedure.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS.
The current edition of the following documents have been referenced in the preparation of this
procedure and shall be considered a part of this procedure as applicable to;
ASME VIII Div.1/ASME Section V Article 2

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS(ASME)

ASME Sec. VIII Div.1
ASME Section V
SE-94
SE-194
SE-747
SE-1079

Boiler & Pressure vessel

Nondestructive examination.
Recommended practice for radiographic testing
Standard method for controlling quality of radiographic testing
Standard test method for controlling quality of radiographic
testing using wire penetrameters
- Calibration of transmission densitometers

GERMAN STANDARD (DIN)

DIN 54109

- NDT/Image quality of radiographs of metallic materials

QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL AND SPECIFIC DUTIES OF PERSONNEL.

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 4 of 13

Personnel performing radiographic examination shall be qualified and certified in accordance

with PAE Technical Service Co., Ltd. Quality control procedure number QCP-13 Rev.02 developed in
accordance with the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) recommended practice no:
SNT-TC-1A, 2001 Edition.
Personnel performing radiographic examination and recording the results shall have, as a
minimum Level II certification. Level I individuals may perform the examination only under the
supervision of a Level II or Level III individual.
4)

EQUIPMENT USED
4.1

Radiographic Source.
a)
Isotope.
Iridium-192 of size 3.0 x 3.0 mm. max. shall be used the radioactive source.
Source activity Max. 60 Ci. maximum, source size is chosen so as to achieve
the geometrical unsharpness and shall be certified by the supplier.
b)
X-Ray machine in case of required
Portable X-Ray unit shall be used type Andrex-160 KVA., Andrex-200 KVA.
and Andrex-300 KVA.
Rate tube voltage
:
160,200 and 300 KVA.
Rate tube current
:
5 MA.
Focal spot size
:
2.3 x 2.3 mm.

4.2

Type of film used.

Film used shall be type 1 & type 2, of Recommendation Practice SE-94 of ASME
Section V, fine grain high contrast such as Kodak AA, Agfa D-7 or similar for carbon
steel materials and low speed fine grain high contrast film such as to Kodak M. or Agfa
D-4 for stainless steel.
Films are placed between filter, screens and lead backing.

=====================
= -----------------------------------------------= ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
= -----------------------------------------------= ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
= -----------------------------------------------=====================
cassette
4.3

filter
film

screen

screen
filter
or outside

Intensifying Screen
Lead intensifying screens 0.010 inch thick shall be used inside the cassette on both
sides of the film. The lead shall be in intimate contact with the film. Additional lead

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 5 of 13

sheets may be used if necessary on the back of the cassette for protection against
scattered radiation.
4.4

4.5

4.6

5)

Placement of IQIs
4.4.1

When radiographing welds the penetrameter shall be placed on the source

side of weld being radiographed.

4.4.2

When examining double wall thickness single image parts such as piping or
duct with a radiation source outside the pipe, the penetrameter shall be
placed, where practicable, on the outside of the pipe on the film side
perpendicular to and across the weld. The IQI identification and lead letter F
(film side), when required, shall not be in the area of interest in case of IQI
placed at source side the lead letter S (source side ) should be marked.

4.4.3

Wire type IQIs shall be manufactured in accordance with ASTM-E747 or the

German standard DIN-54109, and shall conform to dimension as
recommended in ASME Section V.

Number of IQIs
4.5.1

At least one IQI shall be used for each radiograph except as allowed in the
following sub-item.

4.5.2

When a complete circumference is to be radiographed in one exposure, at

least three uniformly spaced IQIs shall be required

4.5.3

Where the source is placed on the axis or at the center of an object and four or
more films are used for a single exposure of a section of the circumference, at
least three IQIs shall be used. One IQI shall be in the approximate center of
the section exposed and one at each end. When the section of the
circumference being radiographed exceeds 240o, paragraph 4.5.2. shall apply.

Selection of IQIs
4.6.1

The thickness on which the IQI shall be selected is the nominal single wall
thickness of the base material plus the maximum internal protrusion and
external reinforcement allowed by applicable code.
Copper nickel penetrameter required for CU piping.

4.6.2

The thickness on which the penetrameter is based is the nominal single wall
thickness only.

AREA TO BE EXAMINED
The area subject to examination shall include the weld and the heat affected zone(HAZ).

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
6)

7)

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 6 of 13

SURFACE PREPARATION
6.1

Materials surface shall satisfy the requirements of the applicable specifications.

6.2

The finished surface of all butt-welded joints may have reasonably uniform crowns,
with reinforcements not to exceed that specified in the referencing code.

PROCEDURE
Film marking and identification
7.1

Lead number shall be used as area location markers shall be placed on the part being
radiograph. Their location shall be marked on the surface in a manner permitting the
area of interest on the radiograph to be traceable to its location on the part.

1
2

=
=

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
F
S

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

Note :

S/F

Project Name
Film Effective Length (15 for film lenght
17 and 6.5 for film length 8.5)
Shooting Date
Pipe size/Plate
Wall Thickness
I.Q.I location
Drawing Number and weld joint number
Repair (RE), if required
Reshoot (RS), if required
Film Side
Source Side
The above identification shall be changed as per the client
requirement.

7.2

In case of first repair, 'R1' must be indicated on the radiograph and so on.

7.3

Proper procedure coverage must be obtained on the radiographs according to ASMESection V, boiler and pressure vessel code article 2, table T-275 location marker.
Company spec shall also apply.

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
8)

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 7 of 13

QUALITY OF RADIOGRAPHS

All film shall be processed in such a manner as to be free from mechanical, chemical or other
blemishes that could interfere with interpretation of the radiographs. Films are developed manually and
processed according to the direction of the manufacture.
9)

GEOMETRIC UNSHARPNESS
9.1

Note :

When required by the referencing code or contract specification geometric

unsharpness(Ug) of the radiograph shall not exceed the following.
Material Thickness
(In inches)

Ug
Maximum (In inches)

Under 2
2 through 3
Over 3 through 4
Greater than 4

0.020
0.030
0.040
0.070

Material thicknes is the thickness on which the IQI is selected geometric unsharpness
of the radiographs shall be determined in accordance with the following.
Ug = Fd/D

Where :

10)

Ug
F

=
=

Geometric unsharpness
Source size in inches, measured as the largest dimension of the
actual radiation source; that is, for cylindrical sources measure
the diagonal, and for spherical sources measure the diameter.
Distance, in inches, from the source of radiation to the weld or
object being radiographed.
Distance, in inches, from the source side of the weld or object
being radiographed to the film.

Selection of Radiation Energy

10.1

Gamma -Ray Radiation to be used will be Ir 192. Max Ci as per client requirement.
The recommended minimum thickness for which radioactive isotopes may be used is a
follows:
Minimum Thickness

Material
_______________
Steel
Copper or
Aluminum

Iridium 192
_______________
0.75 in.
1.30 in.
2.50 in.

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

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PAE RT-001 Rev.0

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NOTE:
(1)

Overall radiographic sensitivity is primarily influenced by factors such as:

(a)
film selection
(b)
intensifying screen selection
(c)
geometric unsharpness
(d)
film density
The maximum thickness for the use of radioactive isotopes is primarily dictated by exposure time;
therefore, upper limits are not shown. The minimum recommended thickness limitation may be
reduced when the radiographic techniques used demonstrate that the required radiographic sensitivity
has been obtained.
11)

DENSITY

The Density is measured by means of a digital display densitometer. This densitometer is

calibrated at least every 90 days by means of a reference film density stepwedge. The densities of
which are checked once a year and certified by a specialized body. The density of radiographic film
shall be in between 2.0 and 3.5 or per client requirement.

12)

11.1

The transmitted film density through the radiographic image of the body of the required
adjacent to the essential wire of a wire-type IQI and the area of interest shall be 2.0
minimum for radiographs made with gamma-ray source and 1.8 minimum for
radiographs made with X-ray. For composite viewing of double film exposures, the
minimum density shall be 2.6. Each radiographs of a composite set shall have a
minimum density of 1.3 and the maximum density shall be 4.0 for either single or
composite viewing.

11.2

It shall be permissible for radiographic densities in the area of interest to vary from
minus 15 percent to plus 30 percent of the radiographic density through wire-type IQI.
When the density varies below or beyond the specific minus 15 plus 30 percent unless
otherwise specified, an additional IQI shall be placed on the exceptional area and the
radiograph retaken.

11.3

The density measured shall be measured by a calibrated densitometer or a certified

denstity strip

SENSITIVITY

Wire Type I.Q.I.s consist of a series of different diameter parallel wires mounted inside a
flexible plastic envelope. Lead indentification markers are built in to indicate the type, material and
number of thickest and thinnest wires. The wires of these I.Q.I.s are laid transversely over the weld
and radiographic sensitivity S calculated from the following formula.
S

t x 100 percent
t

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
t
t

Where

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 9 of 13

= Dia. of thinnest visible wire

= Thickness of material

CAT. No.

DESCRIPTION

51.01

Each I.Q.I. contains 7 wires ; 50 mm. long.available 3 sizes in Steel

(Fe), Aluminium (A1), Copper (Cu)

51.02

Also supplied with wires 25 mm. long in size 6/12 and

10/16 only in Steel (Fe), Aluminium (A1) and Copper (Cu)

WIRE DIAMETERS
Type

DIN 54.109 (DIN 62) each I.Q.I. contains 7 wires

NOS. 1/7

NOS. 6/12

NOS. 10/16

WIRE No.

DIA. (mm)

WIRE No.

DIA. (mm)

WIRE No.

DIA. (mm)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

3.2
2.5
2.0
1.6
1.25
1.0
0.80

6
7
8
9
10
11
12

1.00
0.80
0.63
0.50
0.40
0.32
0.25

10
11
12
13
14
15
16

0.40
0.32
0.25
0.20
0.16
0.125
0.10

MATERIAL THCKNESS RANGE (MM)

40 160

12.5 50

5 - 20

Thickness of Pipe Versus Diameter of Diameter of ASTM E 747 Wire Penetrameter

Inches

Weld Thickness
Millimeters

0-1/4
>1/4-3/8
>3/8-1/2
>1/2-3/4
>3/4-1

0-6.35
>6.35-9.52
>9.52-12.70
>12.70-19.05
>19.05-25.40

Essential Weld Diameter

ASTM Set
Inches
Millimeters
Letter
0.008
0.010
0.013
0.016
0.020

0.02
0.25
0.33
0.41
0.51

A
A or B
B
B
B

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
>1-2

>25.40-50.80

0.025

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 10 of 13

0.64

TABLE T-233.2
WIRE IQI DESIGNATION AND WIRE
DIAMETERS, in.
ASTM
Set

WIRE
Diameter
0.0032
0.004
0.005
0.0063
0.008
0.010
0.013
0.016
0.020
0.025
0.032
0.040
0.050
0.063
0.080
0.100
0.126
0.160
0.200
0.250
0.320

TABLE 4. Material thickness, Penetrameter Designation.

Nominal single-wall

PENETRAMETER
Source side

Material Thickness

Film side *12.3

Range. (mm) *12.2

Designation

designation

UP to 6mm include.

12

10

Over 6 thru. 10

15

12

Over 10 thru. 13

17

15

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Over 13 thru. 19

20

17

Over 19 thru. 25

25

20

Over 25 thru. 38

30

25

Over 38 thru. 50

35

30

Over 50 thru. 63

40

35

Over 63 thru. 100

50

40

Over 100 thru. 150

60

50

Over 150 thru. 200

80

60

Over 200 thru. 250

100

80

Over 250 thru. 300

120

100

Over 300 thru. 400

160

120

Over 400 thru. 500

200

160

NOTE:

*12.1
*12.3

13)

PAE RT-001 Rev.0

The thickness on which the penetrameter is based is the nominal single wall
thickness plus the estimated weld reinforcement not to exceed the maximum
permitted by the referencing Code Section.
Wherever possible the pentameter shall be splaced or the source side of the part
being examined. Where inaccessibility prevents placing the penetrametor or the
source side the penetramiter may be placed on the film side if the radiographic
procedure has shown that the required sensitivity level has been obtained.

RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE :
13.1

A single wall, single image exposure technique shall be used for radiography whenever
practical. (The single wall, single image with source inside shall be used where the
piping engineered providing the RT hole for radiography exposure and plug seal
welding upon RT completion.)

13.2

When it is not practical to use a single-wall technique, one of the following double-wall
techniques shall be used.
13.2.1

13.2.2

For welds in components, a technique may be used in which the radiation

passes through two walls on only the weld on the film side wall is viewed for
acceptance. An adequate number of exposures but not less than three
taken 120 degrees apart shall be made to demonstrate that the required
coverage has been obtained.
For welds in components 3 inches or less in nominal outside diameter, a
technique may be used in which the radiation passes through two walls and
the weld in both walls is viewed for acceptance on the same radiograph. For

GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR

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PAE RT-001 Rev.0

Page 12 of 13

double-wall viewing, only a source side IQI shall be used. Care should be
exercises to ensure that the required geometric unsharpness is met. If the
geometric unsharpness cannot be met, the single-wall viewing shall be used.
13.2.2.1

13.2.2.2

13.2.2.3

13.3
14)

15)

For welds, the radiation beam may be offset from the plane of
the weld at an angle sufficient to separate the images of the
source side and film side portations of the weld so that there is
no overlap of the areas to be interpreted. When complete
coverage is required, a minimum of two exposures taken 90o to
each other shall be made for each weld.
As an alternative, the weld may be radiographed with radiation
beam positioned as that the images of both walls are
superimposed. When complete coverage is required, a
minimum of three exposures taken at either 60o or 120o to each
other shall be made for each weld.
Additional exposures shall be made if the required radiographic
coverage cannot be obtained using the minimum number of
exposures indicated in Paragraphs 13.2.2.1 and 13.2.2.2

Proposed shooting technique shall be quality by qualified by test prior to use.

FILM REVIEW
14.1

Film viewers of the high intensity type with a variable intensity control shall be available
for film reviewing. Film viewers shall produce sufficient illumination to view the
maximum film density required and shall have provisions to prevent light from around
the edge of the radiograph and from lower density portions of the radiograph from
interfering with interpretation. Film review shall be done in an area of subdued light.

14.2

All radiographs shall be reviewed by PAE prior to submitting to client.

INTERPRETATIONS

All the radiographs shall be interpreted by qualified level II inspectors who meet the
requirements set forth in PAE written practice # QCP-013(rev.02), which fully complies with the
recommendations of American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) RP#SNT-TC-1A. All
radiographic film shall be submitted to the client for examination, the client shall have the final
judgement of the acceptance ability of all welds as per client specification.
16)

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
16.1

17)

Radiographic acceptance standards shall be in accordance with ASME Sec VIII Div. 1
Code and Contract Specifications.

REPORTS

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PAE RT-001 Rev.0

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17.1

Results of the radiographic examination shall be recorded on PAE Radiographic

Examination Report form

17.2

The required number of copies of the report and the radiographs shall be submitted to
the client on day to day basis or as required.