ARTICLE 2

MANDATORY APPENDIX VIII

RADIOGRAPHY USING PHOSPHOR IMAGING PLATE
13

VIII-210

SCOPE

VIII-230
VIII-231

This Appendix provides requirements for using phosphor imaging plate (photostimulable luminescent phosphor) as an alternative to film radiography.
Radiography using phosphor imaging plate may be performed on materials including castings and weldments
when the modified provisions to Article 2 as indicated
herein and all other requirements of Article 2 are satisfied.
The term film, as used within Article 2, applicable to performing radiography in accordance with this Appendix, refers to phosphor imaging plate. ASTM E2007, Standard
Guide for Computer Radiography, may be used as a guide
for general tutorial information regarding the fundamental and physical principles of computed radiography
(CR), including some of the limitations of the process..

VIII-220
VIII-221

PHOSPHOR IMAGING PLATE

VIII-231.1 Selection. Radiography shall be performed

using an industrial phosphor imaging plate capable of demonstrating IQI image requirements.
VIII-231.2 Processing. The system used for processing a phosphor imaging plate shall be capable of acquiring, storing, and displaying the digital image.

VIII-234

FACILITIES FOR VIEWING OF

RADIOGRAPHS

Viewing facilities shall provide subdued background

lighting of an intensity that will not cause reflections, shadows, or glare on the monitor that interfere with the interpretation process.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

VIII-260

PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS

VIII-262

VIII-221.1 Written Procedure. A written procedure is

required. In lieu of the requirements of T-221.1, each procedure shall include at least the following information, as
applicable:
(a) material type and thickness range
(b) isotope or maximum X-ray voltage used
(c) minimum source-to-object distance (D in T-274.1)
(d) distance from source side of object to the phosphor
imaging plate (d in T-274.1)
(e) source size (F in T-274.1)
(f) p h o s p h o r i m a g i n g p l a t e m a n u f a c t u r e r a n d
designation
(g) screens used
(h) image scanning and processing equipment manufacturer and model

CALIBRATION
DENSITOMETER AND STEP WEDGE
COMPARISON FILM

The requirements of T-262 are not applicable to phosphor imaging plate radiography.

VIII-270
VIII-277

EXAMINATION
USE OF IQIS TO MONITOR
RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION

VIII-277.1 Placement of IQIs.

(a) Source-Side IQI(s). When using separate blocks for
IQI placement as described in T-277.1(a), the thickness
of the blocks shall be such that the image brightness at
the body of the IQI is judged to be equal to or greater than
the image brightness at the area of interest for a negative
image format. This image brightness requirement is reversed for a positive image format.
(b) All other requirements of T-277.1 shall apply.

VIII-221.2 Procedure Demonstration. Demonstration

of image quality indicator (IQI) image requirements of the
written procedure on production or technique radiographs using phosphor imaging plate shall be considered
satisfactory evidence of compliance with that procedure.

VIII-225

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

VIII-277.2 Number of IQIs.

13
(a) Multiple IQIs. An IQI shall be used for each applicable
thickness range in Table T-276 spanned by the minimumto-maximum thickness of the area of interest to be
radiographed.
(b) As an alternative to (a) above, a minimum of two
IQIs representing the minimum and maximum thicknesses
of the area of interest may be used, provided the requirements of VIII-288 are met.

MONITORING DENSITY LIMITATIONS OF

RADIOGRAPHS

The requirements of T-225 are not applicable to phosphor imaging plate radiography.
33

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

2013 SECTION V

2013 SECTION V

VIII-287

(c) All other requirements of T-277.2 shall apply.

(d) Comparators such as digitized film strips, gray scale
cards, etc., may be used to aid in judging displayed image
brightness. When comparators are used to judge areas
within the image, they need not be calibrated. Pixel intensity values may also be used to quantify image brightness
comparisons.

VIII-281

VIII-288

EVALUATION
SYSTEM-INDUCED ARTIFACTS

IMAGE BRIGHTNESS

The image brightness through the body of the hole-type

IQI or adjacent to the designated wire of the wire-type IQI,
shall be judged to be equal to or greater than the image
brightness in the area of interest for a negative image format. This image brightness requirement is reversed for a
positive image format. Additionally, the requirements of
T-282 are not applicable to phosphor imaging plate
radiography.

VIII-283

VIII-290
VIII-291

VIII-284

13

DOCUMENTATION
DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNIQUE
DOCUMENTATION DETAILS

The Manufacturer shall prepare and document the

radiographic technique details. As a minimum, the following information shall be provided:
(a) the requirements of Article 1, T-190(a)
(b) identification as required by T-224
(c) the dimensional map (if used) of marker placement
in accordance with T-275.3
(d) number of exposures
(e) X-ray voltage or isotope used
(f) source size (F in T-274.1)
(g) base material type and thickness, weld reinforcement thickness, as applicable
(h) source-to-object distance (D in T-274.1)
(i) distance from source side of object to storage phosphor media (d in T-274.1)
(j) storage phosphor manufacturer and designation
(k) image acquisition (digitizing) equipment manufacturer, model, and serial number
(l) single- or double-wall exposure
(m) single- or double-wall viewing

IQI SENSITIVITY

VIII-283.1 Required Sensitivity. Radiography shall be

performed with a technique of sufficient sensitivity to display the designated hole-type IQI image and the essential
hole, or the essential wire of a wire-type IQI. The radiographs shall also display the IQI identifying numbers
and letters. Multiple film technique is not applicable to
phosphor imaging plate radiography.
13

INTERPRETATION

Final radiographic interpretation of the area of interest

shall be performed within the identified IQI image contrast and brightness values or, if multiple IQIs are used,
the overlapping portions of the identified contrast and
brightness values for the intervening thickness ranges.
The IQI and the area of interest shall be of the same image
format (positive or negative). Additionally, where
applicable
(a) the contrast and brightness range that demonstrates
the required IQI sensitivity shall be used for interpretation. When more than one IQI is used to qualify multiple
thicknesses, the overlapping portions of each IQIs determined contrast and brightness range shall be considered
valid for interpretation of intervening thicknesses. Pixel
intensity values may also be used to quantify image brightness comparisons.
(b) the digital image may be viewed and evaluated in a
negative or positive image format.
(c) independent areas of interest of the same image may
be displayed and evaluated in differing image formats,
provided the IQI and the area of interest are viewed and
evaluated in the same image format.

The digital image shall be free of system-induced artifacts in the area of interest that could mask or be confused
with the image of any discontinuity.

VIII-282

13

The measuring scale used for interpretation shall be

capable of providing dimensions of the projected image.
The measurement scale tool shall be based upon a known
dimensional comparator that is placed on the cassette or a
comparator scale placed on the imaging plate during exposure or prior to processing.

VIII-277.3 Shims Under Hole IQIs. For welds with reinforcement or backing material, a shim of material radiographically similar to the weld metal and/or backing
material shall be placed between the part and the IQIs,
such that the image brightness at the body of the IQI is
judged to be equal to or greater than the image brightness
at the area of interest for a negative image format. This image brightness requirement is reversed for a positive image format.
The shim dimensions shall exceed the IQI dimensions
such that the outline of at least three sides of the IQI shall
be visible in the radiograph.

VIII-280

MEASURING SCALE

EXCESSIVE BACKSCATTER

For a negative image format, the requirements of T-284

shall apply. For a positive image format, if a dark image of
the B, as described in T-223, appears on a lighter background of the image, protection from backscatter is insufficient and the radiographic image shall be considered
unacceptable. A light image of the B on a darker background is not cause for rejection.
34

13

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

ARTICLE 2

ARTICLE 2

13

VIII-293

(n) procedure identification and revision level

(o) imaging software version and revision
(p) numerical values of the final image processing parameters, i.e., filters, window (contrast), and level
(brightness) for each view
The technique details may be embedded in the data file.
When this is performed, ASTM E1475, Standard Guide for
Data Fields for Computerized Transfer of Digital Radiological Test Data, may be used as a guide for establishing
data fields and information content.

DELETED

35

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

2013 SECTION V