Conventional Film
Conventional Film Radiography has always been the backbone of the Non-Destructive Testing Industry. Besides the standard radiography equipment, this testing requires a film viewer to review the results. The overall process requires precise calculation of exposure times to obtain the necessary quality levels. This methodology differs from advanced techniques using digital and computerized applications, where computer software and dynamic range can be more forgiving. Conventional Film Radiography can examine welds or manufactured goods for quality, profiles to determine remaining wall thickness, or general information.
Computer Radiography
Computed Radiography (CR) is an excellent form of nondestructive testing. Compared to conventional film radiography using film as a medium and chemicals to process images, Computed Radiography utilizes phosphorus imaging plates that are flexible, reusable, and do not require chemicals to process the latent images. These plates are scanned on a CR scanner, which converts the analog image to a digital format and is viewed on a high-resolution monitor for the determination of component integrity. Computed Radiography can be used for a multitude of different applications, such as weld quality examination, profiles, and general information.
Digital Radiography
Digital Radiography (DR) is an excellent form of non destructive testing. Compared to coventional film radiography or Computed Radiography (CR), Digital Radiography uses a Digital Detector Array (DDA) to capture the image and is instantly converted from analog to digital format for instantaneous viewing on a high resolution monitor. This process is very efficient and produces a much higher signal to noise ratio that is achieved with Computed Radiography where the imaging plate must be scanned in a dark room on a specialized scanner. One of the drawbacks with Digital Radiography is that the digital panel is not flexible and thus the range of compnents that can be examined is less than with film or Computed Radiography. Digital Radiography is excellent for Profile Radiography but can be used for other applications such as weld quality examination on limited components, quality of manufactured components and for general information.
Real-Time Radiography
Real-time radiography is an excellent tool for detecting Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI). Real Time Radiography equipment utilizes a low-voltage X-ray source and a DDA (Digital Panel) at a fixed location to scan large quantities of insulated piping to detect the presence of corrosion. This qualitative examination is done in real time and requires a method to confirm and measure areas of interest. The Real Time Radiography examination is exclusively used on insulated small-bore piping (up to 8″ O.D.), but it is a critical piece of the CUI inspection process.