AS 2177, Part 2—1982

Australian Standard

RADIOGRAPHY OF WELDEDBUTT JOINTS IN METAL

Part 2—IMAGE QUALITYINDICATORS (IQI) ANDRECOMMENDATIONSFOR THEIR USE

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This standard, prepared by Committee MT/7, Non-destructive Testing of Metals andMaterials, was approved on behalf of the Council of the Standards Association ofAustralia on 14 January 1982, and was published on 19 April 1982.

The following scientific, industrial and governmental organizations and departmentswere officially represented on the committee entrusted with the preparation of thisstandard:

Australian Atomic Energy Commission

Australian Gas Association

Australian Institute for Non-destructive Testing

Australian Pipeline Industry Association

Australian Welding Institute

Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia

Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

Confederation of Australian Industry

Department of Defence

Department of Industrial Relations, N.S.W.

Department of Labour and Industry, Victoria

Department of Productivity

Electricity Supply Association of Australia

Institute of Australian Foundrymen

Metal Trades Industries Association of Australia

National Association of Testing Authorities

Pipeline Authority

Railways of Australia Committee

Society of Automotive Engineers—Australasia

Review of Australian Standards.To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subjectto periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new edit ions as necessary. It isimportant therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and anyamendments thereto.

Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards AustraliaCatalogue of Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The AustralianStandard’, which subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editionsand amendments, and of withdrawn Standards.

Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head off ice of Standards Australia,are welcomed. Noti fication of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be madewithout delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982

Australian Standard

RADIOGRAPHY OF WELDEDBUTT JOINTS IN METAL

Part 2—IMAGE QUALITYINDICATORS (IQI) ANDRECOMMENDATIONSFOR THEIR USE

First published (as AS B262) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1968AS 2177, Part 2 fi rst published . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1979Second edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1982

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140

ISBN 0 7262 2487 1

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982 2

PREFACE

This edition of this standard was prepared by the Association’s Committee on Non-destructive Testing of Metals and Materials at the request of the Metals Standards Board tosupersede the 1979 edition, which constituted the revision, metrication and replacement ofAS B262—1968.

Because of the widespread use in Australia of image quality indicator (IQI) systemsspecified by various standards bodies*, the committee,during the revision, resolved to retainthose systems in this standard.

Imperial units of measurement for plaque/hole type IQI based on the ASME series have alsobeen retained because of the impracticability of changing to the International (SI) Systemof units. The committee proposes to amend the published standard when the Americansystem is changed and new plaque IQI are available for commercial use in Australia.

During preparation of this edition, consideration was given to matters raised at seminars heldto discuss the standard. Changes incorporated in this standard are intended to remove anyambiquity which might have existed in the 1979 edition. Known errors have also beeneliminated.

Relevant tables and appendices have been updated to align with the new edition of Part Iof the standard.

Graphical presentations of readily achievable IQI sensitivity percent have also been included.

Data used in the compilation of the relationships between different types of IQI were takenfrom a paper by E.L. Criscuolo, ‘Radiographic Image Quality Standards’†, and from ASME,SE 142.

This standard may require reference to the following documents:

AS 1929 Non-destructive Testing—Glossary of Terms

AS 2177 Radiography of Welded Butt Joints in Metal Part 1—Methods of Test

SAA MP19 Report on Preferred Numbers and Their Use

DIN 54109 Non-destructive Testing—Image Quality of X-ray and Gamma-rayRadiographs of Metallic Materials, Definitions, Wire Penetrameter

BS 3971 Image Quality Indicators for Radiography and Recommendations forTheir Use

AFNOR A04-304 Radiographic Examination of Steel of Thickness up to and including180 mm

ASME, SE 142 Standard Methods for Controlling Quality of Radiographic Testing

ISO 1027 Radiographic Image Quality Indicators—Principles and Identification

ISO 2504 Radiography of Welds and Viewing Conditions for Films—Utilizationand Recommended Patterns of Image Quality Indicators (IQI)

* International Organization for Standardization (ISO)British Standards Institution (BSI)Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN)American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)Association Francaise de Normalisation (AFNOR)

† Presented at the Inter-American Conference on Materials Technology, 20-24 May 1968, San Antonio, Texas,and published by ASME in ‘Materials Technology—An Inter-American Approach’, pp 496-499

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Standards Australia will permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia.

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Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard isamended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.

The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercialcontracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia at any time.T

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3 AS 2177, Part 2—1982

CONTENTS Page

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SECTION 1. SCOPE, DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 Scope . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111.2 Definitions . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111.3 Required Characteristics of IQI . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

SECTION 2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEUSE OFIQI

2.1 Selection of IQI . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142.2 Location of IQI . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142.3 Viewing of Radiographs . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142.4 Assessment of IQI Percent Sensitivity . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142.5 Equivalent Sensitivity . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

APPENDICES

A Materials of Construction of Image Quality Indicators . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 20B Typical Examples of Film Types . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982 4

STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard

for

RADIOGRAPHY OF WELDED BUTT JOINTS IN METAL

PART 2—IMAGE QUALITY INDICATORS (IQI) AND RECOMMENDATIONSFOR THEIR USE

FOREWORD

The elements, wires or holes, of image quality indi-cators (IQI) are used to indicate the sensitivity of theradiographic process in revealing the presence of anydiscontinuities. The image quality is characterized bythe smallest element of a series of wires, or by thesmallest of a series of holes in plates of differentthicknesses, the images of which can be discernedvisually when a film is placed on an illuminatedscreen of the required brightness (see AS 2177,Part 1).

NOTE: Throughout this standard, ‘IQI’ is used to denotesingular and plural of ‘image quality indicator’ .

It should be pointed out that the following parametersapply to the uses of IQI:

(a) Defect detection sensitivity is related only in ageneral fashion to IQI sensitivity.

(b) For any given radiographic test method, thenumerical value of the IQI sensitivity depends onthe type of the IQI used.

(c) For any given radiographic test method and IQI,the percentage sensitivity will not be the samefor different metal thicknesses.

(d) For any given metal and thickness, it is possibleto change defect sensitivity without significantchange in IQI sensitivity by changing the radio-graphic method.

(e) The assessment of the visibility of details of anIQI is subjective and it depends upon thefollowing factors:

(i) Visual acuity.

(ii) Viewing conditions.

(iii) Experience and ability in assessing IQIimages.

(iv) Radiographic contrast.

For these reasons, although the specified IQI sensi-tivity value may be attained, the practices outlined inAS 2177, Part 1 require that all factors affectingcontrast and definition be considered, i.e.—

A. Tube voltage or type of radioisotope.

B. Source-to-film and object-to-film distances.

C. Film type and screen material and thickness.

D. Film density and processing.

In order to assist committees responsible for thedrafting of standards in which radiographic methodsare specified and users of this standard, recom-mendations given in AS 2177, Part 1 are repeated inTables 1 and 2 which show readily achievable valuesof sensitivity which may be obtained with differentradiographic methods for steel. Figs 1A, 1B, 2A and2B show a best-fit graphical presentation of informa-tion contained in Table 2.

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5 AS 2177, Part 2—1982

TABLE 1

TEST METHOD DESIGNATION NUMBER

1 2 3 4 5

Radiographicmethoddesignationnumber

Radiationsource Exposure method

SAA film typedesignation(see Appendix C)

Typical application

XR1/S X-rays Single plate or wall 1 (very fine grain) When a very high level ofsensit ivity is required

XR1/DWS X-rays Double-wall, single-image

1 (very fine grain) As for XR1/S where internalaccess is not practicable

XR1/DWD X-rays Double-wall,double-image

1 (very fine grain) As for XR1/DWS where the pipediameter is 90 mm or below

XR2/S X-rays Single plate or wall 2 (fine grain) High sensitivity, general use

XR2/DWS X-rays Double-wall, single-image

2 (fine grain) As for XR2/S where internalaccess is not practicable

XR2/DWD X-rays Double-wall,double-image

2 (fine grain) As for XR2/DWS where the pipediameter is 90 mm or below

XR3/S X-rays Single plate or wall 3 (medium grain) High speed method when thedetection of fine discontinuit ies isnot required

XR3/DWS X-rays Double-wall, single-image

3 (medium grain) As for XR3/S where internalaccess is not practicable

XR3/DWD X-rays Double-wall,double-image

3 (medium grain) As for XR3/DWS where pipediameter is 90 mm or below

GR1/S Gamma-rays Single plate or wall 1 (very fine grain) Where the sensit ivity achievableby X-ray equipment is notrequired

GR1/DWS Gamma-rays Double-wall, single-image

1 (very fine grain) As for GR1/S where internalaccess is not practicable

GR1/DWD Gamma-rays Double-wall,double-image

1 (very fine grain) As for GR1/DWS where pipediameter is 90 mm or below

GR2/S Gamma-rays Single plate or wall 2 (fine grain) General use where the sensit ivityachievable by GR1 is not required

GR2/DWS Gamma-rays Double-wall, single-image

2 (fine grain) As for GR2/S where internalaccess is not practicable

GR2/DWD Gamma-rays Double-wall,double-image

2 (fine grain) As for GR2/DWS where pipediameter is 90 mm or below

GR 3/S Gamma-rays Single plate or wall 3 (medium grain) High speed method when thedetection of fine discontinuit ies isnot required

GR3/DWS Gamma-rays Double-wall, single-image

3 (medium grain) As for GR2/S where internalaccess is not possible

GR3/DWD Gamma-rays Double-wall,double-image

3 (medium grain) As for GR3/DWS where pipediameter is 90 mm or below

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982 6

TABLE 2*

READILY ACHIEVABLE WIRE IQI SENSITIVITIES FOR STEEL—EXPRESSED AS SMALLESTWIRE VISIBLE ON RADIOGRAPH WITH CORRESPONDING SENSITIVITY VALUE

Radiographictest method Weld metal thickness, mm

6 9 12 18 24 30 40 50 70 90 120 150 200 250 300

XR1

XR2

XR3

GR1

GR2

GR3—

* The values of sensit ivity quoted are not necessarily the optimum value which can be achieved, but theyare included for information and comparative purposes and should not be taken as mandatory require-ments for any particular method. Sensitivity values quoted for gamma ray methods are for Ir idium 192(I r192) in accordance with the thickness range given in Table 3 of AS 2177, Part 1, and for Co60 forthicker sections up to 200 mm. Sensitivities quoted for GR methods for less than 10 mm and over200 mm are included for information only. Attention is drawn to the improved sensitivity which canbe obtained with Ytterbium 169(Yb169) in the range 6 mm to 20 mm.Sensit ivity values are rounded to nearest 0.1 percent.The typical values of sensitivity quoted for each of the test methods in Table 2 are not to be taken asmandatory unless specified or agreed between contracting part ies.

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7 AS 2177, Part 2—1982

Fig. 1A. READILY ACHIEVABLE WIRE IQI SENSITIVITY PERCENT FORTHICKNESS RANGE FOR STEEL UP TO 125 mm—XR METHODS

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982 8

Fig. 1B. READILY ACHIEVABLE WIRE IQI SENSITIVITY PERCENT FORTHICKNESS RANGE FOR STEEL UP TO 85 mm—XR METHODS

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9 AS 2177, Part 2—1982

Fig. 2A. READILY ACHIEVABLE WIRE IQI SENSITIVITY PERCENT FORTHICKNESS RANGE FOR STEEL UP TO 300 mm—GR METHODS

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AS 2177, Part 2—1982 10

Fig. 2B. READILY ACHIEVABLE WIRE IQI SENSITIVITY PERCENT FORTHICKNESS RANGE FOR STEEL UP TO 70 mm—GR METHODS

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11 AS 2177, Part 2—1982

SECTION 1. SCOPE, DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 SCOPE. This standard specifies requirements forthree types of image quality indicators (IQI) used inX-ray or gamma-ray radiographic examination of weldedbutt joints in metal products, viz—(a) wire IQI (W);(b) step/hole IQI (SH); and(c) plaque/hole IQI (PH);

and includes recommendations for their use.

1.2 DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this standard,the definitions given in AS 1929 and the followingdefinition apply:

Element—a wire in a wire type IQI or a hole in aplaque of different thicknesses used to assess thesensitivity of the radiographic process.

1.3 REQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS OF IQI.

1.3.1 Wire IQI (W).

1.3.1.1 General. Wire IQI shall consist of a series ofwires of minimum length 25 mm mounted side by sidein parallel, with a distance between the axes of the wiresof not less than 5 mm, and arranged in order ofincreasing diameter. The diameter sizes should bedetermined as a consecutive series of numbers taken ingeneral from the R10 series of preferred numbers.Exceptionally, and in particular for use with thickmaterials, the R20 series of preferred numbers may beused. An example of a wire IQI is given in Fig. 1.1.

Permitted tolerances on the wire diameters for the R10series of preferred numbers are given in Table 1.1.

Fig. 1.1. EXAMPLE OF WIRE TYPE IQI

TABLE 1.1

PERMITTED TOLERANCES ON WIREDIAMETERS*

* Tolerances are correct for steel. For other metals or alloys it is

Wire diameter, φmm

Tolerancemm

0 < φ ≤ 0.1250.125 <φ ≤ 0.50.5 < φ ≤ 1.61.6 < φ ≤ 4

± 0.005± 0.01± 0.02± 0.03

recommended that production conditions be such that the toler-ances are as near as possible to those fixed for steel.

This system provides for a series of three IQI, eachcomprising seven wires. Each wire diameter is denotedby a corresponding wire number, as shown in Table 1.2.For information on IQI materials see Appendix A.

Wire IQI are made up as shown in Table 1.3.

TABLE 1.3

STANDARD MODELS (WIRE IQI)

IQI Wire numbers

DIN 1/7DIN 6/12DIN 10/16

16

10

27

11

38

12

49

13

51014

61115

71216

1.3.1.2 Construction. Wires shall be mounted betweenlow radiation absorbent protective sheathing material,such as polyethylene film.

NOTE: Where the IQI is composed of thin aluminium or magnesiumwires, the thickness of the protective sheathing should not exceed0.05 mm.

The protective sheathing shall preferably be flexible andthe material, adjacent to the wires, as thin as possibleand fastened so as to ensure that the separation betweenwires is maintained.

1.3.1.3 Identification. Each wire IQI shall contain leadsymbols giving the following information:

(a) The smallest and largest wire numbers (seeTable 1.2).

(b) The material of which the IQI is made.

(c) The specification with which the IQI complies.

Typical IQI and identification markings are shown inFig. 1.2.

The size of the symbols shall be such that they arereadily discernible on radiographs.

Fig. 1.2. WIRE TYPE IQI

TABLE 1.2

WIRE DIAMETERS AND NUMBERS

Diameter, mm 3.20 2.50 2.00 1.60 1.25 1.00 0.80 0.63 0.50 0.40 0.32 0.25 0.20 0.16 0.125 0.100

Wire number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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