This document discusses the use of image quality indicators (IQIs), also known as penetrameters, in radiography. IQIs ensure a minimum level of sensitivity and image quality on radiography films. They are available in different styles and materials to match the part being inspected. Common IQI types include hole-type and wire IQIs. IQIs are selected based on codes or standards and placed on the part or a reference block to verify the radiography technique can detect discontinuities of a specified size, such as a 2% thickness change. IQIs help maintain consistent quality but do not guarantee all defects will be visible.

1. M.KARTHIKEYAN
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
AAA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, SIVAKASI
karthikeyan@aaacet.ac.in
ME8097 NON DESTRUCTIVE
TESTING AND EVALUATION

2. UNIT V RADIOGRAPHY (RT)
1. Principle, interaction of X-Ray with matter,
2. imaging, film and film less techniques,
3. types and use of filters and screens,
4. geometric factors, Inverse square, law,
5. characteristics of films - graininess, density, speed, contrast,
6. characteristic curves, Penetrameters,
7. Exposure charts, Radiographic equivalence.
8. Fluoroscopy- Xero-Radiography,
9. Computed Radiography, Computed Tomography

3. THE CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
 The relationship between film density and exposure is often
presented in the form of a graph, as shown below.
 This graph shows the relationship between the density and
relative exposure for the values shown above.
 This type of graph is known as either a film characteristic curve
or an H and D (Hurter and Driffield) curve.
 The precise shape of the curve depends on the characteristics of
the emulsion and the processing conditions.
 The primary use of a characteristic curve is to describe the
contrast characteristics of the film throughout a wide exposure
range.

4.  At any exposure value, the contrast characteristic of the film is
represented by the slope of the curve.
 At any particular point, the slope represents the density
difference (contrast) produced by a specific exposure difference.
 The same interval anywhere on the relative exposure scale
represents the same exposure ratio and amount of contrast
delivered to the film during the exposure process.
 An interval along the density scale represents the amount of
contrast that actually appears in the film.
 The slope of the characteristic curve at any point can be
expressed in terms of the contrast factor because the contrast
factor is the density difference (contrast) produced by a 2:1
exposure ratio (50% exposure contrast).

6.  A film characteristic curve has three distinct regions with
different contrast transfer characteristics.
 The part of the curve associated with relatively low exposures is
designated the toe, and also corresponds to the light or low-
density portions of an image.
 When an image is exposed so that areas fall within the toe
region, little or no contrast is transferred to the image.
 In the film shown in the figure in the previous paragraph, the
areas on the left correspond to the toe of the characteristic
curve.


7.  A film also has a reduced ability to transfer contrast in areas
that receive relatively high exposures.
 This condition corresponds to the upper portion of the
characteristic curve in which the slope decreases with
increasing exposure.
 This portion of the curve is traditionally referred to as the
shoulder.
 In the figure in the previous paragraph the dark areas on the
right correspond to the shoulder of the characteristic curve.
 The two significant characteristics of image areas receiving
exposure within this range are that the film is quite dark (dense)
and contrast is reduced.

8.  In many instances, image contrast is present that cannot be
observed on the conventional viewbox because of the high film
density.
 This contrast can be made visible by viewing the film with a
bright "hotlight."
 The highest level of contrast is produced within a range of
exposures falling between the toe and the shoulder.
 This portion of the curve is characterized by a relatively
straight and very steep slope in comparison to the toe and
shoulder regions.
 In most imaging applications, it is desirable to expose the film
within this range so as to obtain maximum contrast.

9.  The minimum density, in the toe, is the residual density, which
is observed after processing unexposed film, and is typically in
the range of 0.1 to 0.2 density units.
 This density is produced by the inherent density of the film base
material and the low-level fog in the film emulsion; it is
therefore commonly referred to as the base plus fog density.
 The maximum density, in the shoulder, is determined by the
design of the film emulsion and the processing conditions and is
typically referred to as the Dmax.

10. CONTROLLING RADIOGRAPHIC QUALITY -
PENETRAMETERS
• One of the methods of controlling the quality of a radiograph is
through the use of image quality indicators (IQIs).
• IQIs, which are also referred to as penetrameters, provide a
means of visually informing the film interpreter of the contrast
sensitivity and definition of the radiograph.
• The IQI indicates that a specified amount of change in material
thickness will be detectable in the radiograph, and that the
radiograph has a certain level of definition so that the density
changes are not lost due to unsharpness.
• Without such a reference point, consistency and quality could
not be maintained and defects could go undetected.

11. • Image quality indicators take many shapes and forms due to the
various codes or standards that invoke their use.
• In the United States, two IQI styles are prevalent: the placard,
or hole-type and the wire IQI.
• IQIs comes in a variety of material types so that one with
radiation absorption characteristics similar to the material
being radiographed can be used.

12.  How to select the penetrameter (IQI) for radiography? Or How to
ensure that proper sensitivity is there on the radiography film?
IQI in radiography is based on referencing code or standard. IQI
radiography assures that proper quality of radiography film is
obtained.
 IQI or Penetrameter is used to ensure that the minimum
required sensitivity is there on the radiography film.
 What is sensitivity?
 Sensitivity of a radiography film is the minimum size of
discontinuity that can be detected in that radiography film.
 How we will ensure that the required sensitivity is there on the
radiography film?
 This is done by using IQI or Penetrameter. Most of the codes
and specification asks for a minimum sensitivity of 2%.

13. HOLE-TYPE IQIS
• ASTM Standard E1025 gives detailed requirements for the
design and material group classification of hole-type image
quality indicators.
• E1025 designates eight groups of shims based on their radiation
absorption characteristics.
• A notching system is incorporated into the requirements, which
allows the radiographer to easily determine if the IQI is the
correct material type for the product.
• The notches in the IQI to the right indicate that it is made of
aluminum.
• The thickness in thousands of an inch is noted on each
pentameter by one or more lead number.

14. • The IQI to the right is 0.005 inch thick. IQIs may also be
manufactured to a military or other industry specification and
the material type and thickness may be indicated differently.
• For example, the IQI on the left in the image above uses lead
letters to indicate the material.
• The numbers on this same IQI indicate the sample thickness
that the IQI would typically be placed on when attempting to
achieve two percent contrast sensitivity.
• Image quality levels are typically designated using a two part
expression such as 2-2T.
• The first term refers to the IQI thickness expressed as a
percentage of the region of interest of the part being inspected.

15. • The second term in the expression refers to the diameter of the
hole that must be revealed and it is expressed as a multiple of
the IQI thickness.
• Therefore, a 2-2T call-out would mean that the shim thickness
should be two percent of the material thickness and that a hole
that is twice the IQI thickness must be detectable on the
radiograph.
• This presentation of a 2-2T IQI in the radiograph verifies that
the radiographic technique is capable of showing a material loss
of 2% in the area of interest.
• It should be noted that even if 2-2T sensitivity is indicated on a
radiograph, a defect of the same diameter and material loss may
not be visible.

16. • The holes in the IQI represent sharp boundaries, and a small
thickness change.
• Discontinues within the part may contain gradual changes and
are often less visible.
• The IQI is used to indicate the quality of the radiographic
technique and not intended to be used as a measure of the size
of a cavity that can be located on the radiograph.

18. WIRE IQIS
• ASTM Standard E747 covers the radiographic examination of
materials using wire IQIs to control image quality.
• Wire IQIs consist of a set of six wires arranged in order of
increasing diameter and encapsulated between two sheets of
clear plastic.
• E747 specifies four wire IQI sets, which control the wire
diameters.
• The set letter (A, B, C or D) is shown in the lower right corner of
the IQI.
• The number in the lower left corner indicates the material
group.
• The same image quality levels and expressions (i.e. 2-2T) used
for hole-type IQIs are typically also used for wire IQIs.

19. • The wire sizes that correspond to various hole-type quality
levels can be found in a table in E747 or can be calculated using
the following formula.
• Where:
F = 0.79 (constant form factor for wire)
d = wire diameter (mm or inch)
l = 7.6 mm or 0.3 inch (effective length of wire)
T = Hole-type IQI thickness (mm or inch)
H = Hole-type IQI hole diameter (mm or inch)

20. PLACEMENT OF IQIS
• IQIs should be placed on the source side of the part over a
section with a material thickness equivalent to the region of
interest.
• If this is not possible, the IQI may be placed on a block of
similar material and thickness to the region of interest.
• When a block is used, the IQI should be the same distance from
the film as it would be if placed directly on the part in the
region of interest.
• The IQI should also be placed slightly away from the edge of the
part so that at least three of its edges are visible in the
radiograph.