Radiographic Testing

Radiographic Testing as a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is based on the same principle as medical radiography in a hospital. A piece of radiographic film is placed on the remote side of the material under inspection and radiation is then transmitted through from one side of the material to the remote side where the radiographic film is placed. The radiographic film detects the radiation and measures the various quantities of received over the entire surface of the film.

This film is then processed under dark room conditions and the various degrees of radiation received by the film are imaged by the display of different degrees of black and white, this is termed the film density and is viewed on a special light emitting device.

Discontinuities in the material affect the amount of radiation being received by the film through that particular plain of the material. Qualified inspectors can interpret the resultant images and record the location and type of defect present in the material.

The Conventional Radiography can be used on most materials and product forms, e.g. welds, castings, composites etc. Radiographic testing provides a permanent record in the form of a radiograph and provides a high sensitivity of the internal structure of the material

Radiography is split into two main categories

• Radiographic Testing
• Radiographic Interpretation

SGS not only provides Non-Destructive Testing Services but also offers Radiographic Testing Courses in its NDT Training Center.

The Radiographic Testing Course is for NDT personnel who will actually be executing the practical inspection using radiographic testing using radioactive material or radiation emitting devices.

The Radiographic Interpretation Course is for purely the interpretation of the resultant radiographic image. However, to understand the principles of image formation, sensitivity and correct techniques the general theory syllabus is the same for both courses.

The two sectors of the Radiographic Testing Examination that are NOT required for the Radiographic Interpretation Examination are

• Basic Radiation Safety (BRS)
• Practical of the specimens

According to British Institute of NDT Personnel Certification (PCN) Radiographic Testing Examination candidates have to fulfill certain examination criteria to pass the exam.