NATIONAL CENTRE FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING (NCNDT)

PAKISTAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION ISLAMABAD

RADIOGRAPHIC TESTING COURSE LEVEL-I PRACTICALS

PRACTICAL No. 1

PRACTICAL PRACTICE OF USING RADIATION SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Sr. No. Name of Equipment Use of equipment

1. Ir-192 camera It is used to store the radioisotope.

2. Survey meter It is used to measure dose rate. It helps the radiation workers to
ensure that maximum permissible dose is not exceeded during
radiographic inspection.

3. Teletector It is used to measure dose rate from a reasonable distance to

minimize the radiation exposure to the person who is measuring the
dose.

4. Film badge Film badge is worn by radiation workers during radiographic

inspection work. Film badge is used to measure accumulated dose
after a certain time period.

5. Pocket dosimeter Pocket dosimeter gives accumulated dose received by radiation

workers on the spot.

6. Collimators Collimators are used with gamma ray sources. It changes panoramic
beam to directional. It is very useful from safety point of view as it
reduces the radiation exposure to radiographers and general public.

7. Gamma alarm It is a radiation detecting equipment. It indicates the operation of

radiation source (X-ray / Gamma ray).

8. Tongs It is used in rescue operation in case of accident while using gamma

ray source.

9. Lead shots Lead shots are used for shielding purpose during rescue operation in
case of accident (Using gamma ray source).

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PRACTICAL NO. 2 & 3

WARMING UP PROCEDURE FOR AN X-RAY MACHINE / DARK ROOM PRACTICE

a) Warming Up Procedure

1) When the tube is “cold” or “idle” for some time, full rated voltage must not be
applied instantaneously.

2) For Andrex Smart 225 KV X-ray machine, enter KV (It should be at least 10 KV
more than required KV for the given job).
3) If message “Run in duration ------- min” appears, it means that machine needs to be
warmed up.
4) Push green “I” button and machine will automatically warm-up for required KV.

b) General Precautions to be observed During Warm-Up Procedure

1) Check all the electrical/physical connections.

2) No one should be inside the Exposure Room.

3) No film should be left inside the Exposure Room.

4) Machine window should be towards the floor.

5) During warm up lead cover should be put on the X-ray machine window.

6) Lead door of the exposure room should be closed such that limit switch should make
the red warning light “ON”.

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DARK ROOM PRACTICE

A. Film Loading
After collecting the box of the films, the intensifying screens, and the cassette to be
used on the dry bench:

1) Switch off the ordinary lights,

2) Switch on the safe lights,

3) Take out a film from the film box,

4) Remove the film from its wrapper,

5) Put the film between two intensifying screens, one of which is marked as
FRONT and the other as BACK,

6) Load the film along with intensifying screens into the cassette so that the front
screen is on the upper side and the back screen is on the lower side,

7) Close the flexible cassette. The film is now ready to be taken out to the
exposure room in day light,

8) Replace the cover of the film box before switching on the ordinary lights. Also
avoid bending and scratching of the film and also any thumb or finger
impression on film.

B. FILM PROCESSING

This step is carried out in the dark room.

1) Stir thoroughly all the processing tanks.

2) Check the temperature of the developer tank. It should be between 18 oC and 30oC,
and preferably close to 20oC. The temperature can be brought within this range by
either cooling or heating.

3) After measuring the temperature, find the developing time from the following table:

TEMPERATURE (oC) DEVELOPING TIME (Min.)

18 6.0
20 5.0
22 4.0
24 3.5
26 3.0
28 2.5
30 2.0

4) In general, development should be avoided above 30oC and below 18oC.

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5) Switch off ordinary lights.

6) Switch on safe light.

7) Take out the exposed film from the cassette/wrapper and intensifying screens
carefully.

8) Insert the film into a channel hanger.

9) Immerse the film gently into the developing tank.

10) Set the timer.

11) Tap the film hanger vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds to dislodge any air bubbles
clinging to the film.

12) Agitate film for approximately 10 seconds at each minute of development.

13) At the end of developing time, remove the film from developing tank, and drain
excess developer back into tank for approximately 10 seconds.

14) Immerse the film into the stop bath for about 30 seconds. Agitate the film
moderately when it remains in the stop bath.

15) After proper rinsing, transfer the film into the fixing bath and agitate it vigorously
for about 30 seconds and then let it remain in the fixer bath for about 6 minutes.

16) After proper fixing, drain out the film and transfer it to washing tank. Depending
upon the temperature, wash the film in the washing tank for the time as given below:

At 10 - 12oC Wash for 30 minutes

At 13 - 25oC Wash for 20 minutes

17) After washing, dip the film into the photoflo solution for 30 seconds
approximately.

18) Put the film in the drying cabinet and let it dry. The temperature of the drying
cabinet should not be more than 40oC.

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PRACTICAL NO. 4

HOW TO MAKE A RADIOGRAPH (WELDED PLATE)

a) Visual Inspection of the Specimen

Examine the welded plate visually and note down any surface defects such as
undercut, chipping marks, etc.

b) Image Quality Indicator

IQI should be placed in a proper manner on specimen. The IQI should be of the
same material as that of the specimen i.e. wire type across the weld and plate type
alongside the weld with about 3mm distance between the IQI and the weld.

c) Apparatus

i) X-ray machine with control unit and cables.

ii) Steel rule.
iii) Lead sheet for masking, lead letters and nos.
iv) Metal marker.
v) IQI (ASTM 1B 11)
vi) X-ray film Ix-100 + Pb/ D7 + Pb.
d) Data for 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

i) Material C.S
ii) Film Ix-100 + Pb / D7 + Pb
iii) Thickness 10 +2 mm
iv) Sfd 70 cm
v) Exposure 7 [Link].
vi) Kv 140
vii) Specimen No. S – 1, S – 3, S - 4

e) Technique

i) Specimen orientation at right angle to the beam direction.

f) Develop the film in the dark room.

g) Dry the film in the drier.

h) Record your data and results on the attached radiographic examination report.

i) Comment on the result.

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PRACTICAL NO. 5

SURVEY AND MARKING OF RADIATION AREA

Radiation survey meter will be used for survey and marking of radiation area.

1. The following points shall be checked regarding the use of radiation survey meters.

i) The response of the instrument should be appropriate to the type of radiation.

ii) Only calibrated instruments for which a certificate of calibration has been issued by a
competent authority shall be used.

iii) The instrument should cover a suitable range such that dose rates for a suitable range
can be measured within 15 % of the true intensity.

iv) The most important thing to remember is to ensure that the instrument's battery is in
good working condition.

2. Radiation survey must be made around the exposure room especially at the door and cable
holes to ensure that there is no radiation leakage.

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PRACTICAL NO. 6

STUDY OF REFERENCE RADIOGRAPHS

Radiograph Nature of Location Remarks/Evaluation

No. Defect

Signature ____________________

Name of the Radiographer ____________________

Dated ___________________

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PRACTICAL NO. 7

EFFECT OF “OFD” AND “SFD” ON THE QUALITY OF THE RADIOGRAPH

A) EFFECT OF “Ofd” ON THE QUALITY OF THE RADIOGRAPH

1. The sample to be radiographed and IQI to be used should be:

Sample No. = RT- 8 or 9.

Thickness of sample = 5 mm

IQI = ASTM 1B 11

2. Expose the films using data given below:

a) For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Film: Ix + 100 +Pb / D7 + Pb

Kv: 105

Exposure: 7 [Link].

Sfd: 70 cm

Ofd: Minimum (film in contact with specimen)

b) For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Film: Ix-100 + Pb / D7 + Pb

Kv: 105

Exposure: 7 [Link].

Sfd: 70 cm

Ofd: 8 cm

4. Comment on the results.

B) EFFECT OF “Sfd” ON THE QUALITY OF THE RADIOGRAPH

1. The sample to be radiographed and IQI to be used should be:

Sample No. = RT-1, RT-2, RT-6

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Thickness of sample = 10 +2 mm

IQI = ASTM 1B 11

2. Expose the films using data given below:

a) For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Film: Ix-100 + Pb / D7 + Pb
Kv: 140
Exposure: 7 [Link].
Sfd: 70 cm

b) For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Film: Ix -100 + Pb / D7 + Pb
Kv: 105
Exposure: 9 [Link].
Sfd: 19 cm

4. Comment on the results.

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PRACTICAL NO. 8

RADIOGRAPHY OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELDS USING

SINGLE WALL SINGLE IMAGE TECHNIQUE (SWSI)

Make radiograph according to the data given below:-

1. Specimen No. = RT-28, 29, 30

For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Thickness: 10 + 2 mm

Diameter: 22 cm

Film: Ix - 100 + Pb / D7 + Pb

Sfd: 45 cm

Kv: 140

Exposure: 3 [Link].

IQI: ASTM 1B 11

2. Put the film inside the pipe and place the specimen at right angle to the radiation
beam.

3. Expose the film after completing other parameters.

4. Process and dry the radiograph to view in the viewing room.

5. Comment on the results.

Film outside source inside

Film inside source outside

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PRACTICAL NO. 9

SOURCE CHANGING PRACTICE (Ir-192 source)

When an isotope source decays to the point where it is no longer effective as a source for
radiography, then source changing becomes necessary. Source changing is a process where a
decayed source is removed from an exposure device and a new source is installed. This is
accomplished through the use of a source changer. A source changer is a device which is designed
to store and transport radiographic source (Figure1).

Figure 1: A typical source changer

A source change can be performed only if the user is specifically approved to do so (Level-1
personnel shall not perform this activity). The source changing procedure may vary from one type of
equipment to another. This can be referred to the manual supplied by the manufacturer of the
equipment. An example of a changing process is as shown in
Figure 2.

Figure 2: The source changing process

PRACTICAL NO. 10

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RADIOGRAPHY OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELDS USING
DOUBLE WALL SINGLE IMAGE TECHNIQUE (DWSI)

For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Specimen No: RT-28, 29, 30

Material: M.S.
Thickness (Single wall): 10 + 2 mm
Diameter: 22 cm
Film: Ix - 100 + Pb / D7 + Pb
Sfd: 30 cm
Kv: 150
Exposure: 4 [Link]. .
IQI: ASTM 1B 11

2. Wrap the film around the welded pipe.

3. Place the pipe under the machine in such a way that upper portion of the pipe
should be at distance less than Sfd min.

4. Process and dry the radiograph in the drier.

5. Comment on the results.

Film outside source outside

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PRACTICAL NO. 11

RADIOGRAPHY OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELDS USING

DOUBLE WALL DOUBLE IMAGE TECHNIQUE (DWDI)

1. Make radiograph according to the data given below:

Specimen No. = RT-4, RT-39

Thickness = 3 + 2 mm

Diameter = 48 mm

For 225 KV X-ray Machine (Model Smart 583 or Smart 225)

Film: Ix - 100 + Pb / D7 + Pb
Sfd: 70 cm
Kv: 130
Exposure: 4 [Link].
IQI: ASTM 1B 11
2. Put the film below the pipe.

3. Shift the tube head or specimen 1/4th of Sfd.

4. Make the exposure according to the above given data.

5. Process and dry the film.

Film outside source outside

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How to maintain Ir-192 camera with source.

The following steps should be carried out for maintaining Ir-192 camera with source:

1. All the X & gamma ray should be operated according to the instructions given in
the manuals of related X-ray machine or gamma ray source.
2. Proper cleaning with brush of mechanical system should be carried out before the
starting the exposure.
3. Wear the gloves during the radiographic work. And after the completion of work,
the hands must be washed with soap.
4. Use calibrated survey meter during radiographic work. Wear the film badge/pocket
dosimeter for monitoring personal dose.
5. Only the radiographic source camera which is to be used should be outside the
shielded pit of lead. Other useful radioactive source camera should be remained
inside the pit.
6. Connecting the clutch wire with camera with care. During connecting/
disconnecting the guide tube with camera, a person should avoid to be in front of
ejecting point of source from camera. As there is high dose rate at that point.
7. Before using the radioisotope for exposure, the surface dose rate should be checked
and after exposure when the source returns to the camera these doses should be
checked again. If these dose rates are approximately same then the source after use
is properly shielded in the centre.
8. In normal condition, the camera should be at locked position. When you take
exposure, it should be at operating position.
9. Avoid unnecessary stay near camera and in exposure room.
10. The guide tube should be checked visually to ensure that there is no dents/sharp
bends on the surface of the clutch wire and guide tube.

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