ARTICLE2
RADIOGRAPHICEXAMINATION
FIELD T-210
The radiographic method described in this
article for the examination of materials,
including castings and gaskets is used in
conjunction with Article 1, General
Requirements. Definitions of the terms used
in this article are in Appendix V Mandatory
of this article. Certain product-specific, -
specific technical and application-specific
requirements are also given in other
mandatory appendices to this article, which
are listed in the table of contents. These
additional requirements must also be met
when an appendix is applicable to the
radiographic or fluoroscopic examination
being performed.
T-220 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
T-221 procedure requirements
T-221.1 radiographic examination shall be
performed in accordance with a written
procedure. Each procedure should include
at least the following information, as
appropriate:
(A) the type of material and thickness
range,
(B) of isotopes or maximum X-ray voltage
used,
(C) a minimum source-object distance,
(D) the side-to-side distance from the object
source to the film at the minimum source-
to-object distance,
(E) the maximum font size,
(F) of the mark and name of the film, and
(G) The screens used.
T-221.2 Demonstration Procedure.
Demonstration of the density and ICI image
requirements of the written phase on
production or technical radiographs shall be
considered as satisfactory evidence of
compliance with this procedure.
T-222 Surface preparation
T-222.1 Materials including cast iron.
Surfaces shall meet the requirements of the
SECTION V
T - 226 2001
T-226 scope of review
applicable material specification or
referenced code section, with
additionalconditioning, if necessary, by any
suitable procedure to such a degree that the
resulting radiographic image due to surface
irregularities cannot mask or be confused with
the image of any discontinuities.
T-222.2 welds. Weld waves or irregularities
of the weld surface, both inside (where
accessible) and outside the regulation shall
be eliminated by any suitable procedure to
such a degree that the resulting
radiographic image due to surface
irregularities cannot mask or be confused
with the image of any discontinuities. The
finished surface of all butt welded joints
may be flush with the base material or may
have reasonably uniform crowns, with the
reinforcement not to exceed the amount
indicated in the referenced Code Section.
T-223 radiation back scattering
A lead symbol "B", with minimum
dimensions of 1/2 in. (13 mm) high and
1/16 in. (1.6 mm) thick, shall be attached to
the back of each film holder during each
exposure to determine if the backscatter
radiation is the exposure of the film.
T-224 identification system
A system must be used to produce a
permanent identification on the radiograph
traceable to the contract, components, weld
or weld seam, or part numbers, as
appropriate. In addition, the manufacturer's
symbol or name and date of the radiograph
shall be clearly legible and indelibly
included on the radiograph. This
identification system does not necessarily
require that the information appears as
radiographic images. In any case, such
information should not obscure the area of
interest.
T-225 Limitations of Density Monitoring
Radiographs
Either a densitometer or stepped wedge
film comparison is used to judge the density
of the film.
The extent of the radiographic
examination shall be as specified by the
referenced Code Section.

T-230 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
T-231 Film
T - 231.1 Selection. The radiographs
will be taken using industrial
radiographic film.
T-231.2 processing. Standard Guide
for Quality Control of Industrial
Radiographic Film Processing, SE-999,
or in paragraphs 23 to 26 of the
Standard Guide for Radiographic
Examination SE-94 is used as a guide
for film processing.
T-232 intensifying screens
intensifying screens may be used when
performing radiographic examination in
accordance with this article.
T-233 Image Quality Indicator (IQI)
Design
T-233.1 IQI Design Standard. IQIs will
be either the type of hole or the type of
wire. Hole type IQIs shall be manufactured
and identified in accordance with the
requirements or alternates permitted in SE-
1025. Type of wire IQIs shall be
manufactured and identified in accordance
with the requirements or alternates
permitted in SE-747, except that the larger
wire number or identity number may be
omitted. ASME standard IQIs shall consist
of those in Table T-233.1 for hole type and
those in Table T-233.2 for wire type.
T-233.2 Alternative ICI Design. IQIs
designed and manufactured in accordance
with other national or international
standards may be used provided that the
requirements of either (a) or (b) below are
met, and if the material requirements of T-
276.1 are met.
(A) Hole Type IQIs. The calculated
equivalent sensitivity ICI (EPS), per SE-
1025, Appendix X1, is equal to or better
than the required standard hole type ICI.
(B) Type of cable IQIs. The diameter of the
alternative ICI core wire is equal to or
smaller than the required standard ICI core
wire.

T - 234 Facilities for the visualization of
X-rays
Viewing facilities shall provide subdued
background illumination of an intensity
such that it does not cause distracting glare,
shadows, reflections or reflections on the
radiograph. The equipment used to view
radiographs for interpretation shall provide
a variable source of light sufficient for the
essential ICI hole or designated wire to be
visible for the specified density range. The
viewing conditions should be such that light
from the entire outer edge of the radiograph
or coming through low-density portions of
the radiograph does not interfere with the
interpretation.
T-260 CALIBRATION
T-261 Font size
T - 261.1 Verification of font size.
Supplier publications, such as technical
manuals, drop curves, or written statements
documenting the actual or maximum font
size or equipment manufacturer's focal
point, shall be acceptable as verification of
font size.
T - 261.2 Determination of size of origin.
When manufacturer or distributor
publications are not available, the font size can
be determined as follows: (A) X-Ray machines.
For X-ray machines operating at 500 kV and
below, the focal spot size can be determined by
the pin-hole method, 1 or in accordance with
SE- 1165, Standard Test Method for the
2001 Section V
T-262.3 Periodic Verification
(a) Densitometers. Periodic calibration
verification checks shall be conducted as
described in T-262.1 at the beginning of each
shift, after 8 hours of continuous use, or after a
change of openings, whichever occurs first. The
densitometer is acceptable if the density
Measurement of Focal Points of Industrial X-
Ray Tubes by Image Hole. (B) Iridium-192
Sources. For iridium-192, the source size can be
determined in accordance with SE-1114,
Standard Test Method for Determining the
Focal Size of Industrial Iridium-192
Radiographic Sources.
T-262 densitometer and wedge Step Film
comparison
T-262,1densitometers.
Densitometers shall be calibrated at least every
90 days during use as follows: (A) A national
standard-pitch tablet or a wedge-pitch
calibration film, which is traced back to a
national standard-pitch tablet and which has at
least 5 pitches with neutral densities of at least
1.0 to 4.0, shall be used. The calibration film of
the stepped wedge has been verified in the last
year, compared to a national standard step tablet
unless, prior to first use, it is kept in a sealed
light- and water-tight package supplied by the
manufacturer. Wedge calibration films can be
used without verification for one year after
opening, as long as it is within the shelf life
stated by the manufacturer. (B) will be followed
by the densitometer manufacturer's step-by-step
instructions for densitometer operation. (C) The
density of the steps closest to 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and
4.0 in the tablet stage or wedge stage national
standard calibration film will be read. (D) The
densitometer is acceptable if the density
readings do not vary by more than ± 0.05
density units from the actual density shown on
the step tablet film or national standard step
wedge calibration. T-262.2 Film comparison
wedge step. Step wedge comparison films shall
be verified prior to first use, unless otherwise
performed by the manufacturer, as follows: (A)
The density of the steps in a stepped wedge
comparison film shall be verified by means of a
calibrated densitometer. (B) The step wedge
comparison film is acceptable if the density
readings do not vary by more than ± 0.1 density
units from the density indicated on the step
wedge comparison film.
readings are within ± 0.05 of the calibration
readings determined in T-262.1 C.
(B) Step of the film comparison wedge.
Verification checks are performed annually by
T-262.2.
T-262.4 Documentation
(a) Densitometers. Densitometer calibrations
required by T-262.1 are documented, but the
actual readings of each step do not have to be
recorded. Periodic densitometer verification
checks required by T-262.3 (a) do not have to
be documented.
(B) the staggered wedge of calibration films.
Step wedge calibration film checks required by
T 262.1(a), will be documented, but the actual
readings of each step do not have to be
recorded.
(C) the wedge step of the film comparison.
Wedge step film comparison checks required by
T-262.2 and T-262.3(b) shall be documented,
but the actual readings for each step need not be
recorded.
T-270 EXAMINATION
T-271 RadiographicTechnique2 A single-wall
exposure technique should be used for
radiography whenever practical. When it is
impractical to use a single-wall technique, a
double-wall technique is used. An adequate
number of exposures were made to demonstrate
that the required coverage has been obtained.
T-271.1 One-wall technique. In the one-wall
technique, radiation passes through only one
wall of the weld (material), which is considered
for acceptance in the radiograph.
T-271.2 Double wall technique. When it is
impractical to use a single-wall technique, one
of the following double-wall techniques will be
used.
(A) Visualization of a wall. For materials and
component welds, a technique can be used in
which the radiation passes through two walls
and only the weld (material) on the film side
wall is seen for acceptance on the radiograph.
When full coverage of circumferential welds
(materials) is required, a minimum of three
exposures taken at 120 degrees. each other will
be made.
(B) Make double display wall. For materials and
welds on 31/2 in. components. (89 mm) or less
nominal outside diameter, a technique can be
used in which radiation passes through two
walls and the weld (material) on both walls is
seen for acceptance on the same radiograph. For
a double wall display, only one ICI on the
source side will be used. Care must be taken to
ensure that the required geometric unsharpness
is not exceeded. If the geometric unsharpness
requirement cannot be met, then single wall
display is used. (1) For welds, the radiation
beam can be offset from the plane of the weld at
an angle sufficient to separate the images of the
source-side and film-side portions of the weld
so that there is no overlap of the areas to be
interpreted. When full coverage is required, a
minimum of two exposures taken 90 deg. The
one to the other will be made for each joint.
(2) Alternatively, the weld can be radiographed
with the radiation beam positioned so that the
images of the two walls overlap. When full
coverage is required, a minimum of three
exposures taken at any one of 60 degrees. or
120 degrees. + to each other will be made for
each joint. (3) Additional exposures are entered
if the required radiographic coverage cannot be
obtained using the minimum number of
exposures indicated in (b) (1) or (b) (2) above.
T-272 Radiation Energy
The radiation energy used by any radiographic
technique shall meet the ICI image and density
requirements of this article.
T-273 radiation direction
The direction of the central beam of the
radiation should be centered on the area of
interest whenever practical.
T-274 geometric lack of sharpness
Geometric unsharpness of the radiograph shall
be determined according to: Ug = Fd / D where
Ug=geometrical unsharpness size
F = source size: the maximum projected
dimension of the radiation source (or effective
focal point) in the plane perpendicular to the
distance D from the weld or radiographed
object, at. D = distance from the radiation
source for welding or radiographed object, in. D
= distance from the side of the weld source or
radiographed object to the film NOTE: Refer to
the Standard Guide for Radiographic Testing
SE-94 for a method of determining geometric
unsharpness. Alternatively, a nomogram as
shown in the Standard Guide for Radiographic
Testing SE-94 can be used.
T-275 Location Location markers Location
markers (see Fig. T-275), which are to appear as
radiographic images on the film, shall be placed
on the part, not on the exposure/cassette holder.
Their locations shall be indelibly marked on the
surface of the part being radiographed when
permitted, or on a map, in a manner that allows
the area of interest on a radiograph to be
accurately traced to its location on the part, for
the required retention period of the radiograph.
Tests will also be provided on the X-ray that the
required coverage of the region being examined
has been obtained. Location markers will be
placed as follows.
T-275.1 Display of a wall
(A) Source-secondary markers. Location
markers shall be placed on the source side when
radiographing the following: (1) flat
components or in longitudinal joints cylindrical
or tapered components; (2) curved or spherical
components whose concave side is toward the
source and when the "source-to-materials"
distance is less than the inside radius of the
component; (3) curved or spherical components
whose convex side is toward the source. (B)
Film-side markers (1) placeholders are placed
on the film side when radiographing either
curved or spherical components whose concave
side is toward the source and when the "source-
to-material" distance is greater than the inner
radius. (2) As an alternative to the source-side
placement of T-275.1 (a) (1), location markers
may be placed on the film side when the
radiograph shows coverage beyond the location
markers to the extent shown in the figure. T-
275, sketch (e), and when this alternative is
documented in accordance with T-291.
Markers (c) both sides. Location markers can be
placed either on the source side or film side
when radiographing either curved or spherical
components whose concave side is toward the
source and the "-source-to-material" distance is
equal to the inner radius of the component.
T-275.2 double wall display. For double-wall
visualization, at least one placeholder is placed
adjacent to the weld (or on the material in the
area of interest) for each radiograph.
T-275.3 Marker placement mapping
Location.
When inaccessibility or other limitations
prevent placement of markers as stipulated in T-
275.1 and T-275.2, a dimensional map of the
actual marker location and shall be
accompanied by radiographs to demonstrate that
full coverage has been obtained.
T-276 ICI Selection
T-276.1 materials. IQIs are selected from the
same group of alloy material of grade o as
identified in SE-1025, or SE-747, as the case
may be, or from a group of alloy material of
grade o with less radiation absorption than the
material being radiographed.
T-276.2 size. The designated ICI hole or
essential wire shall be as specified in Table T-
276. A thin or thicker ICI-type hole can be
substituted for any section thickness listed in
Table T-276, provided an equivalent ICI
sensitivity is maintained. See T-283.2.
(A) welds with reinforcements. The thickness
on which the ICI is based is the nominal single
wall thickness plus estimated weld
reinforcement not to exceed the maximum
allowed by the referenced Code Section. Back-
up rings or strips will not be considered as part
of the thickness in the selection of the ICI.
Actual measurement of the weld armor is not
required.
(B) Weld Without reinforcement. The thickness
on which the ICI is based is the nominal single
wall thickness. Back-up rings or strips will not
be considered as part of the weld thickness in
the selection of ICI.
T-276.3 Welds joining dissimilar materials or
welds with dissimilar filler metal
When the weld metal is of an alloy group or
grade that has a radiation attenuation that differs
from the base material, the selection of the ICI
material is based on the weld metal and be in
accordance with T-276.1. When the density
limits of T-282.2 cannot be satisfied with a
single ICI, and the area of exceptional density(s)
is at the interface of the weld metal and the base
metal, the selection of materials for additional
IQIs shall be based on the base material and be
in accordance with T-276.1.
T-277 Use of IQIs for follow-up radiographic
examination
T-277.1 Placement of IQIs
(A) ICI source side(s). The ICI(s) shall be
placed on the source side of the part being
examined, except for the condition described in
T-277.1(b). When, due to part or weld
configuration or size, it is not practical to place
the ICI(s) in the part or weld, the ICI(s) can be
placed in a separate block. Separate blocks are
made from the same or radiographically similar
materials (as defined in SE-1025) and can be
used to facilitate positioning of the ICI. There is
no restriction on separate block thickness,
provided that the IQI/area-of-interest density-
interest tolerance requirements of T-282.2 are
met.
(1) The IQI on the supply side of the separate
The block is placed closer to the film than the
source side of the part being radiographed.
(2) The separated block shall be placed as close
as possible to the part being radiographed.
(3) When using hole-type IQIs, the dimensions
of the blocks shall exceed the ICI dimensions
such that the outline of at least three sides of the
ICI image shall be visible on the radiograph.
(B) IQI Film-side(s). When inaccessibility
prevents placement of the IQI(s) on the source
side, the IQI(s) is placed on the side of the film
in contact with the part being examined. An "F"
lead card will be placed next to or in the ICI(s),
but may not hide the essential hole when using
hole IQIs.
(C) Placement of IQI Welds - Hole IQIs. The
ICI(s) can be placed adjacent to or in the weld.
The identification number(s) and, when used,
the lead chart "F" will not be applied in the area
of interest, except when geometric configuration
makes it impractical.
(D) The placement of IQI wire welds IQIs. The
IQI(s) shall be placed in the weld so that the
length of the wires is perpendicular to the length
of the weld. Identification numbers and, when
used, the lead chart "F" will not be applied in
the area of interest, except when geometric
configuration makes it impractical.
(E) IQI placement of materials other than welds.
The IQI(s) with the IQI(s) identification
number, and when used, the lead letter "F", can
be placed in the area of interest.
T-277.2 IQIS number. When one or more film
holders are used for an exposure, at least one
ICI image shall appear on each radiograph,
except as indicated in (b) below.
(A) Multiple IQIs. If the requirements of T 282
are met by the use of more than one ICI, one
shall be representative of the lightest area of
interest and the other the darkest area of
interest; the densities involved in the radiograph
shall be considered as having acceptable
density.
(B) Special cases3
(1) For cylindrical components where the source
is positioned on the axis of the component for a
single exposure, at least three IQIs, spaced
approximately 120 deg. In addition, they are
required under the following conditions:
(A) When the entire circumference is
radiographed using one or more film holders,
or;
(B) When a section or sections of the
circumference, where the length between the
ends of the outermost sections spans 240
degrees or more, is X-rayed using one or more
film holders. Additional film locations may be
necessary to obtain the required ICI spacing.
(2) For cylindrical components where the
source is placed on the axis of the component
for a single exposure at least three IQIs, with
one placed at each end of the radiographed
circumference section and one at the
approximate center of the light, are required
under the following conditions:
(A) When a section of the circumference, the
length of which is greater than 120 degrees. .
And less than 240 degree tan, it is x-rayed using
only one film holder, or;
(B) When a section or sections of the
circumference, where the length between the
ends of the outermost sections span less than
240 g, is X-rayed using more than one film
holder.
(3) In (1) and (2) above, where sections of
longitudinal welds adjacent to the
circumferential weld were radiographed
simultaneously with the circumferential weld,
an additional ICI shall be placed in each
longitudinal weld at the end of the section
farthest from the junction with the
circumferential weld to be radiographed. (4) For
spherical components where the source is
placed in the center of the component for a
single exposure, at least three IQIs, spaced
approximately 120 degrees apart. In addition,
they are required under the following
conditions: (A) When a complete circumference
is X-rayed using one or more film holders, or;
(B) When a section or sections of a
circumference, where the length between the
ends of the outermost sections spans 240
degrees or more, is X-rayed using one or more
film holders. Additional film locations may be
necessary to obtain the required ICI spacing. (5)
For spherical components where the source is
placed at the center of the component for a
single exposure, at least three IQIs, with one
placed at each end of the radiographed span of
the radiographed circumference and one at the
approximate center of the duration, are
necessary, under the following conditions: (A)
When a section of a circumference, the length of
which is greater than 120 degrees. . and less
than 240 degrees tan, is radiographed using only
a film holder, or; (B) When a section or sections
of a circumference, where the length between
the ends of the outermost sections span less than
240 degrees. More than one film holder is used
for radiography. (6) In (4) and (5) above, where
other welds are radiographed simultaneously
with the circumferential weld, an additional ICI
should be placed over the other weld. (7) When
radiographing a series of components in a circle,
at least one ICI should be shown in each
component image. (8) In order to maintain
continuity of records relating to subsequent
exposures, all radiographs showing IQIs that
qualify the techniques permitted in accordance
with (1) through (6) shall be retained above.
T-277.3 wedges below hole IQIs. For welds, a
wedge of material radiographically similar to
that of the weld metal is placed between the part
and the IQI, if necessary, so that the
radiographic density across the area of interest
is no more than less than 15% from (lighter
than) the radiographic density across the ICI.
The wedge dimensions shall exceed the ICI
dimensions such that the outline of at least three
sides of the ICI image will be visible on the
radiograph.
T-280 EVALUATION
T-281 X-Ray Quality
All radiographs shall be free of mechanical,
chemical, or other imperfections to the extent
that they do not mask and are not confused with
the image of any discontinuities in the area of
interest of the object being radiographed. Such
defects include, but are not limited to:
(A) fogging;
(B) processing defects such as scratches,
watermarks or chemical stains;
(C) scratches, finger marks, splices, dirt, static
marks, smudges, stains, or tears;
(D) false indications due to defective screens.
T-282 Radiographic density
T-282.1 Density limitations. The film density
transmitted through the radiographic image of
the IQI body of the appropriate hole or adjacent
to the designated wire of a wire ICI and the area
of interest shall be 1.8 minimum to view film
only for radiographs taken with an X-ray source
and 2.0 minimum for radiographs taken with a
gamma source. For a composite display of
multiple exposures of the film, each film in the
composite set shall have a minimum density of
1.3. The maximum density shall be 4.0, either
for simple or composite display. A tolerance of
0.05 is allowed for density variations between
densitometer readings.
T-282.2 Density variation
(A) general. If the density of the radiograph
anywhere across the area of interest varies by
more than minus 15% or more than 30% of the
density across the body of the IQI hole or
adjacent to the designated wire of an IQI wire,
within the minimum permitted and/or maximum
Density ranges specified in T-282.1, then an
additional ICI will be used for each area or areas
of exceptional and retaken radiograph. In
calculating the allowable variation in density,
the calculation may be rounded to the nearest
0.1 within the range specified in T-282.1.
(B) With supplements. When wedges are used
with hole-type IQIs, the 30% density plus sign
restriction of (a) may be exceeded above, and
the minimum density requirements of T-282.1
do not apply for the IQI, provided the required
IQI sensitivity of T-283.1 is met.
T-283 ICI sensitivity
T-283.1 Required Sensitivity. Radiography is
performed with a technique of sufficient
sensitivity to show the image designated IQI
hole and 2T hole, or the essential wire of a wire
ICI. The radiographs will also show the IQI
identifying numbers and letters. If the image of
the hole and the designated IQI 2T hole, or
essential wire, are not seen on any film in a film
technique, but do show up in the composite film
view, the interpretation will only be allowed in
the composite film view.
T-283.2 Equivalent Hole-Type sensitivity. If a
thinner or thicker hole type IQI listed in Table
T-276 has been substituted, an equivalent
sensitivity of the ICI, as specified in Table T-
283, must have been maintained in addition to
all other requirements for the radiograph having
been met.
T -284 excessive backscatter If an image of the
" B " light, as described in T -223, appears on a
dark background of the radiograph, the
backscatter protection is insufficient and the
radiograph shall be considered unacceptable. A
dark image of the "B" on a lighter background is
not a reason for rejection.
T - 285 geometric unsharpness Limitations
geometric unsharpness of the radiograph shall
not exceed the following limits:
T-286 Manufacturer's Evaluation
The manufacturer shall be responsible for the
review, interpretation, evaluation, and
acceptance of the completed radiographs to
ensure compliance with the requirements of
Article 2 and the referenced instruction area.
As an aid to examination and evaluation, the
radiographic technical documentation required
by T-291 should be completed prior to
evaluation. The X-ray review form required by
T-292 will be performed during the evaluation.
Details of the radiographic technique and form
the radiographic opinion documentation will
accompany the radiographs. Acceptance was
completed prior to submission of the
radiographs and accompanying documentation
to the inspector.
T-290 DOCUMENTATION
T-291 radiographic technique documentation
details
The manufacturer shall prepare and document
the details of the radiographic technique. At a
minimum, the following information must be
provided.
(A) identification, e.g., job/contract number and
heat number (if applicable)
(B) the three-dimensional map (if used) of
marker location in accordance with T-275.3
(C) number of radiographs (exposures)
(D) the X-ray voltage or isotope type used
(E) X-ray machine focal spot size or isotope
size of physical sources
(F) Type of base material and thickness,
thickness of weld, thickness of weld
reinforcement, as the case may be.
(G) minimum from source - to - object at
distance
(H) the side-to-side distance from the object
source to the film at the minimum source-to-
subject distance
(I) film manufacturer and type / Manufacturer's
designation
(J) Film number on each film/cassette holder
(K) single- or double-wall exposure
(L) single or double wall display
T -292 Radiographic Review Form
The manufacturer will prepare a radiographic
review form. At a minimum, the following
information must be provided.
(A) a list of each radiography site
(B) the information required in T-291, by
inclusion or by reference
(C) Evaluation and disposition of material(s) or
weld(s) examined
(D) the identification (name) of the
manufacturer's representative who made the
final receipt of the radiographs
(E) the date of the Manufacturer's assessment