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RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION Date : 09.11.11

PROCEDURE FOR
RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
(Revision based on ASME Section V – 2011a)

DATE REV PREPARED BY APPROVED

09.11.2011 00

1.0 SCOPE:
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This procedure covers the radiographic examination of welds, in steel / stainless steel in the
thickness range of 3 to 65 mm with the requirements and acceptance criteria in accordance
with ASME Sections VIII Div. 1, and ASME Sec V .

2.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

SEPL Written Practice No . SEPL / NDE/ WP / 001 Rev 01

ASME SEC VIII DIV 1

ASME SEC V

3.0 PREPERATION OF WELD SURFACE.

Weld to be radiographed shall not have the weld ripples or weld surface irregularities of
which radiographic images will mask or be confused with the image of any unacceptable
discontinuity. The finished weld surface may have reasonably uniform crowns with reinforcements
not exceeding that specific in reference Code section.

4.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION

The personnel carrying out radiography shall be NDE Level I or above and the personnel
interpreting the radiograph shall be NDE Level II or Level III qualified in RT ( Radiography
test) as per SEPL written practice SEPL / NDE / WP / 001 Rev 01

5.0 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL

5.1 RADIATION SOURCE

The radiation source shall be Ir 192 for Gama ray radiography. X rays shall be used
whenever the thickness is less than 6mm.

5.2 FILM
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Radiographs shall be made using Industrial Radiographic film as per Table – 1

TABLE – 1

Speed Contrast Graininess Commercial Film

Agfa Kodak
Structurix Industrex
Low Very High Very Low D4 M

Medium High Low D7 AA400

5.3 INTENSIFYING SCREENS

Lead foil screens will be used as below.

a. Front screen thk- 0.005 inch ( 0.13mm ) min

b. Back screen thk- 0.005 inch ( 0.13mm ) min

5.4 IQI
Wire type IQI as per ASTM E 747 shall be used for ensuring the sensitivity of
Radiography

5.5 LOCATION MARKERS

Location markers, which are to appear as a radiographic image, shall be placed on
the part. Their location shall be permanently marked on the surface of the part being
radiographed when permitted, or on a map, in a manner permitting the area of interest
on the radiograph to be accurately traceable to the location on the part. Location
markers shall be placed as per TABLE 2

5.6 Back scatter monitoring Lead letter “B”

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Lead letter “B” 13mm (½ in.) size and 1.5mm ( 1/16 in.) thick shall always be placed on the
backside of the cassette during each exposure to check for the back scattered radiation.
Placement of “B” letter shall be recorded in RT report.

5.7 National Standard Step tablet

National standard step let used for calibration of densitometer shall be of either Agfa or
Kodak make.

5.8 Densitometers
Densitometers shall be of digital type in which a transmitted density of 1- 4 can be
measured and able to locate the spot to be inspected.

5.9 Film Viewers

5.9.1 Radiographic film viewer shall be capable of providing illumination for measuring
film densities from 1.0 to 4.0
5.9.2 Light shall be emitted through a diffused glass in order to avoid any glare during
film evaluation.
5.9.3 The intensity of light shall be uniform throughout the illuminator.
5.9.4 The equipment shall be provided with a variable light intensity control.

6.0 CALIBRATION

6.1 Radiation source

6.1.1 Manufacturer’s certificate or Data sheet indicating the dimension of source can
be taken as calibration certificate for source.
6.2 IQI
6.2.1 Each set of IQI shall have IQI manufacturer’s calibration certificate.
6.2.2 In the absence of IQI manufacturer’s certificate , the IQI shall be calibrated by a
calibration lab accredited to NABL.
6.2.3 The frequency of calibration shall be prior to first use and whenever any damage is
noticed for the wires.
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6.2.4 The condition of IQI for any damages shall be verified once in three months and
recorded in a report form.
6.3 National Standard Step tablet ( Master Strip)
6.3.1 Standard step tablet shall have a valid calibration certificate issued by the film
manufacturer traceable to National standards.
6.3.2 The calibration shall be valid for a period of one year from the first date of
opening the factory packing or the date of film expiry whichever is earlier.
6.4 Densitometer
6.4.1 Film densitometer shall be calibrated once in 90 days or whenever any major
repair is done whichever is earlier.
6.4.2 Calibration of densitometers shall be done with a National standard step tablet
having a valid calibration.
6.4.3 At least 5 steps in the range of 1 to 4.0 shall be selected for calibration
6.4.4 The measured density shall not vary more than ± 0.05
7.0 EXAMINATION AREA

7.1 The extent of Radiographic examination shall be as specified in the drawing.

7.2 The examination area includes weld area plus a distance of at least 25 mm distance on
either side edge of weld face.

8.0 Examination procedure

8.1 SOURCE TO FILM DISTANCE (SFD)
SFD should be so determined that geometric unsharpness defined by following formula shall not
exceed Table –2
Ug = Fd/D
Where, Ug = geometric unsharpness
F = Source size – the maximum projected dimension of the
radiating source in the plane perpendicular to the distance D from the weld or
object being radiographed.
D = distance from source of radiation to weld or object being radiographed.
d = distance from source side of weld or object being radiographed to the film
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TABLE – 2

Material Thickness in inches (mm) Ug Maximum in inch (mm)

Under 2 (50) 0.020 (0.51)

2 through 3 (50-75) 0.030 (0.76)
Over 3 through 4 (75 – 100) 0.040 (1.02)
Greater than 4 (100) 0.070 (1.78)

8.2 RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION IDENTIFICATION

8.2.1 Each length of weld or area examined by radiography shall be identified
permanently using hard stamp on the job adjacent to the weld by Weld Seam
number and radiographic film spot number.
8.2.2 Whenever hard stamping is not permitted as per referencing code then
identification shall be done by permanent marker. For vessels require painting the
identification shall be transferred to a sketch.
8.2.3 Each film shall be identified with the following details as a radiographic image
8.2.3.1 Manufacturers Symbol/Name,
8.2.3.2 Job No
8.2.3.3 Vessel .No.
8.2.3.4 Weld Joint No., / Location No.
8.2.3.5 Welder number
8.2.3.6 Location Markers
8.2.3.6.1 ”R” next to location No., When re-radiographed after repair weld,
followed by 1, 2, 3……. to indicate status of repair
8.2.3.7 “RS” next to location No., When re-shoot is taken for RT film Qualify
8.2.3.8 I.Q.I Location Marker. “F” for Film Side I.Q.
8.2.3.9 Date of radiography

8.3 RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE

Radiography shall be taken as per the applicable technique given below

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8.3.1 SINGLE WALL TECHNIQUE

In single wall technique, the weld under examination will be exposed to direct
radiation it can be either Panoramic, multiple segment or single segment shot.
The radiation source shall be perpendicular to the area of interest . When multiple
film cassettes are used each film shall overlap at least 50mm.
8.3.1.1 Panoramic Exposure : Panoramic exposure may be used for
exposing complete circumference of a circular weld joint using
multiple films in a single exposure with the radiation at the inside
center.
8.3.1.2 Multiple segment shot : Technique in which multiple segments are
covered in single exposure.
8.3.1.3 Single segment shot : One film segment is radiographed with single
exposure

8.3.2 DOUBLE WALL TECHNIQUE

Technique in which the radiation passes through both the walls of a pipe and the
evaluation may be done for single side welds or both the side sides of weld of a
joint
8.3.2.1 Double wall Single Image : Radiation passes through both the
walls, where as evaluation is done for the weld at the far side of
source.
8.3.2.1.1 Minimum three exposure shall be taken to cover the full
circumference of a joint
8.3.2.2 Double wall double image : Radiation passes through both the walls and the
evaluation is done for both the side of weld of a joint. It can be either ,
8.3.2.2.1 Elliptical shot in which both the side welds are separated by a
distance in a single film. Minimum two exposure with a rotation of
90 Degree to the first exposure shall be taken
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8.3.2.2.2 Super Imposed shot in which both the welds are superimposed
over each other. Minimum three exposure with either 60 Deg or
120 to each other shall be taken
8.4 LOCATION MARKERS

Location markers shall be placed as detailed below in order to ensure that the required
coverage is obtained
TABLE 3

Type of Joint Source Source to object Placement of Location marker

distance
Longitudinal Source Side
Joints
Circular / Sphere Outside Source Side
Circular / Sphere Inside Less than Radius Source Side
Circular / Sphere Inside Greater than Radius Film Side
Circular / Sphere Inside Equal to Radius Any side

8.5 IQI SELECTION

8.5.1 IQI shall be of Ferrous grade

8.5.2 The selection of IQI shall be based on the weld material thickness as per the
table 4 given below

8.5.3 Weld thickness given in the table shall be based on nominal single-wall thickness
plus the estimated weld reinforcement not to exceed the maximum permitted by
the referencing Code Section

8.5.4 Backing rings shall not be considered as thickness

TABLE 4

Nominal Single wall material Essential wire

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thickness range in mm Source Film Side

Side
Up to 6.4 5 4
Over 6.4 through 9.5 6 5
Over 9.5 through 12.7 7 6
Over 12.7 through 19.0 8 7
Over 19.0 through 25.4 9 8
Over 25.4 through 38.1 10 9
Over 38.1 through 58.4 11 10
Over 58.4 through 63.5 12 11

8.6 IQI PLACEMENT

8.6.1 IQI shall be placed on the source side except double wall single image where
inside surface cannot be accessible.
8.6.2 When IQI is placed in the film side due to inaccessibility then Lead letter “F” shall
be placed as an identification image in the exposed film.
8.6.3 For film side IQI the essential wire for the film side shall be visible on the film
8.6.4 For double wall double imaging only source side IQI shall be used.
8.6.5 IQI shall be placed across the weld.

8.7 NUMBER OF IQI

8.7.1 For single segment IQI shall be placed one at the center and one at the end
8.7.2 For panoramic exposure at least three IQI separated by a distance of 120 degree
apart shall be used
8.7.3 For Double wall Single image IQI shall be placed on both the ends of each film for
each exposure.
8.7.4 For Double wall double image one IQI shall be placed for each exposure.
8.7.5 When more than one segment adjacent to each other is exposed in a single
exposure then three IQIs , one at each end and one at middle shall be placed.
8.7.6 Wherever density limitations cannot be met due to dissimilar thickness then
additional IQI shall be placed for such areas.
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9.0 FILM PROCESSING

9.1 Manual processing shall be done.
9.2 Processing shall be done with extreme care as per the Film manufacturer’s
recommendation.

10.0VIEWING FACILITY
The film shall be viewed in a darkened area with subdued background lighting of an
intensity that will not cause reflections, shadows, or glare on the radiograph that interferes
with the interpretation process. The viewing conditions shall be such that light from the
outer edges or through the low density portions of radiographs does not interfere with
interpretation.

11.0EVALUATION OF FILM
11.1.1 Processing defects : All processed film shall be free from fog, scratches,
watermark, nail mark, kink mark or any mechanical damages and chemical
processing marks. Any process mark at the area of interest shall be re shoot.
11.1.2 Density : The film density through the area of interest of radiographic image shall
be 2.0 minimum. The maximum density shall be 4.0. The density variation
anywhere in the area of interest shall not be more than minus 15% or plus 30%
from the density through the body of the hole IQI.
11.1.3 Sensitivity : The required sensitivity shall be ensured by the minimum size IQI
wire visible on the film. If the required sensitivity is not achieved then the segment
shall be reshoot.

12.0 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

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12.1 Full Radiography

Welds that are shown by radiography to have any of the following types of
imperfections are unacceptable.

12.1.1 Any type of crack or zone of incomplete fusion or penetration

12.1.2 Any elongated indications of a length exceeding
12.1.2.1 6 mm (¼ in.) for thickness not exceeding 19 mm (¾ in.)
12.1.2.2 1/3 t for thickness between 19 mm (¾ in.) and 56 mm (2.25 in.)
12.1.2.3 19 mm (¾ in.) for thickness exceeding 56 mm (2.25 in)

12.1.3 Any group of indications in alignment, the total length of which exceeds “t” in a
twelve times “t” except when the distance between successive indications
exceeds six times the length of the longest imperfection in the group.
t - Thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For a butt
weld joining two members having difference thicknesses at the weld, t is the
thinner of two different thicknesses. If a full penetration weld includes a fillet
weld the thicknesses of throat of fillet shall be included in t.

12.1.4 Rounded Indications

Rounded indications that exceeds the following dimensions shall be considered
as relevant
12.1.4.1 Maximum Size of Rounded Indication :
The maximum permissible size of rounded indication shall be 1/4t or
5/32” (4 mm) whichever is smaller; except that an isolated indication
separated from adjacent indication by 1” (25 mm) or more may be
1/3t or ¼ in whichever is less. For thickness greater than 2” (51 mm)
the maximum permissible size of an isolated indication shall be
increased to 3/8” (10mm).

12.1.4.2 Aligned Rounded Indications

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Aligned rounded indications are acceptable when the summation of the

diameters of the indications is less than t in a length of 12 t. ASME Sec
VIII Div 1 Appendix 4 shall be referred for the maximum allowable length
of groups of aligned indications and the maximum allowable spacing
between the groups.

12.1.4.3 Assorted, Randomly Distributed and Clustered Indications.

a. ASME Sec VIII Div.1 App 4 shall be referred for the
maximum allowable concentration of rounded indication for weld
thickness greater than 1/8 in. and weld length 6 in. For weld
thickness less than 1/8 in, the maximum number of rounded
indications shall not exceed 12 in a 6 in length of weld. A
proportionally fewer number of indications shall be permitted in welds
less than 6 inch in length.
b. The length of cluster rounded indications shall not exceed
the lesser of 1 in or 2t. Where more than one cluster is present, the
sum of the length of the clusters shall not exceed 1 inch in a 6 inch
length.

12.1.4.4 Rounded indications that exceeds the following dimensions shall be

considered as relevant

12.2 Spot Radiography

Where butt-welded joints are spot radiographed the following shall be unacceptable

12.2.1 Any type of crack or zone of incomplete fusion or penetration.

12.2.2 Any slag or cavities of length exceeding

12.2.2.1 2/3 t.
t - Thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For a
butt weld joining two members having difference thicknesses at the
weld, t is the thinner of two different thicknesses. If a full penetration
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weld includes a fillet weld the thicknesses of throat of fillet shall be

included in t. If several indications within the above limitations exist in
line, the welds shall be judged acceptable if the sum of the longest
dimensions of all such indications is not more than t in a length of 6 t
and if the longest indications considered are separated by at least 3L of
acceptable weld metal where L is the length of the longest indications.
12.2.2.2 Several indications, with in 6mm to 19mm, exist in line that have aggregate
length greater than t in a length of 6t and the distance between the
indications exceeds 3L where L is the length of longest indication in the
group.

12.2.2.3 Any such group indications shorter than 6mm are acceptable for any plate
thickness

12.2.3 Rounded indications are not a factor in the acceptability of welds.

13.0 Retention of Radiographs

13.1 Radiographs shall be retained for a period of at least 5 years in proper storage
condition.

14.0 Documentation

The Radiogrphy report shall contain the following information.

14.1 Contract number

14.2 Job No
14.3 Date of Test
14.4 Reference Procedure Number
14.5 Vessel Number
14.6 Weld Seam Number
14.7 Total number of shots
14.8 Location marker
14.9 Source Type
14.10 Source Size
14.11 Weld Thickness including reinforcement
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14.12 SFD
14.13 Intensifying Screen Type & thickness
14.14 Film Manufacturer & Designation
14.15 No. of films per cassette
14.16 Technique
14.17 IQI Designation
14.18 Placement of IQI
14.19 Density
14.20 Sensitivity
14.21 Placement of “B” letter
14.22 Placement of “F” letter for film side IQI
14.23 Observation
14.24 Result
14.25 Name & Qualification level of NDE personnel

15.0 REPORT

All the details as required as per 14.0 shall be recorded in the report form
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ANNEXURE I
REPORT No  
RADIGRAPHY INSPECTION
REPORT DATE  
JOB DESCRIPTION
P.O NO   Job NO  
Vessel No.   Joint No  
Extent of RT   No.of shots  
Weld Thickness     Diameter  
Reference
Procedure     Ref. Code  
Radiation Source     Source Size  
IQI Type   Designation  
Film Manufacturer   Film Brand  
Intensifying Screen
Material   Thickness Front   Back  
TECHNIQUE
SWSI   (Panoramic / Single Segment / Multiple Segment)
DWSI   DWDI   ( Eliptical / Super Imposed)
Souce Center / Closer than Radius /
SFD   Position Beyond Radius
IQI placement   Source Side / Film Side "F" Letter  
Location Marker   Source Side / Film Side "B" Letter  
No. of Film /
Cassette    
FILM QUALITY
Density At IQI Area Other Area Min   Max  
Min Wire Wire
Sensitivity Required   seen   Ug  
RESULTS
SL.NO SEGMENT Interpretation Evaluation RESULT
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
    SANGOV REVIEWED BY  
NAME        
SIGNATURE        
AUTHORIZED
NDE LEVEL     INSPECTOR