1、Designation: E999 15Standard Guide forControlling the Quality of Industrial Radiographic FilmProcessing1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E999; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revi
2、sion. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This guide2establishes guidelines that may be used forthe control and maintenance of industrial radiographic filmprocessing equ
3、ipment and materials. Effective use of theseguidelines aid in controlling the consistency and quality ofindustrial radiographic film processing.1.2 Use of this guide is limited to the processing of films forindustrial radiography. This guide includes procedures forwet-chemical processes and dry proc
4、essing techniques.1.3 The necessity of applying specific control proceduressuch as those described in this guide is dependent, to a certainextent, on the degree to which a facility adheres to goodprocessing practices as a matter of routine procedure.1.4 If a nondestructive testing agency as describe
5、d inPractice E543 is used to perform the examination, the testingagency shall meet the requirements of Practice E543.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priat
6、e safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of federal and local codes prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3E94 Guide for Radiographic ExaminationE543 Specification for Agencies Performing NondestructiveTestingE1079 Practice for Calibration of Tr
7、ansmission Densitom-etersE1254 Guide for Storage of Radiographs and UnexposedIndustrial Radiographic FilmsE1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations2.2 ISO Standards:4ISO 11699-2 Nondestructive testingIndustrial Radio-graphic FilmPart 2: Control of film processing bymeans of references values
8、.ISO 18917 PhotographyDetermination of residual thio-sulfate and other related chemicals in processed photo-graphic materialsMethods using iodine amylose, meth-ylene blue, and silver sulfide2.3 ANSI Standards:IT 2.26 PhotographyPhotographic Materials Determina-tion of Safelight Conditions43. Termino
9、logy3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this guide,see Terminology E1316.4. Significance and Use4.1 The provisions in this guide are intended to control thereliability or quality of the image development process only.The acceptability or quality of industrial radiographic filmsprocessed
10、in this manner as well as the materials or productsradiographed remain at the discretion of the user, or inspector,or both. It is further intended that this guide be used as anadjunct to and not a replacement for Guide E94.5. Chemical Mixing for Manual and Automatic Processes5.1 Any equipment that c
11、omes in contact with processingsolutions should be made of glass, hard rubber, polyethylene,PVC, enameled steel, stainless steel, or other chemically inertmaterials. This includes materials such as plumbing, mixingimpellers, and the cores of filter cartridges. Do not allowmaterials such as tin, copp
12、er, steel, brass, aluminum, or zinc tocome into contact with processing solutions. These materialscan cause solution contamination that may result in filmfogging or rapid oxidation.5.2 Mixing Chemicals:1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestruc-tive Testing and is the
13、direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on Radiology(X and Gamma) Method.Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published June 2015. Originallyapproved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E999 10. DOI:10.1520/E0999-15.2For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see rel
14、ated Specifi-cation SE-999 in Section II of that Code.3For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.4Availa
15、ble from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http:/www.ansi.org.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States15.2.1 Do not mix powdered chemicals in processor tanks,since undis
16、solved particles may be left in the square corners ofthe tank. Mix solutions in separate containers made frommaterials specified in 5.1.5.2.2 Carefully follow the manufacturers package direc-tions or formulas for mixing the chemicals. Start with thecorrect volume of water at the temperature specifie
17、d in theinstructions, and add chemicals in the order listed. During themixing and use of radiographic film processing chemicals, besure to observe all precautionary information on chemicalcontainers and in instructions.5.2.3 Proper mixing of chemicals can be verified withmeasurements of pH and speci
18、fic gravity.5.3 Contamination of Solutions:5.3.1 Thoroughly clean all mixing equipment immediatelyafter use to avoid contamination when the next solution ismixed. When mixing fixer from powder, make sure to add thepowder carefully to the water in the mixing tank so fixer dustdoes not get into other
19、processing solutions. When mixing anychemical, protect nearby tank solutions with floating lids anddust covers. The use of a vent hood is recommended as a safetyprecaution.5.3.2 The water supply should either be de-ionized orfiltered to 50 microns or better, so it is clean and sediment-free.5.3.3 If
20、 large tanks are used for mixing, carefully mark thevolume levels to be certain that volumes are correct.5.3.4 Use separate mixers for developer solution and forfixer solution. If only one mixer is available, thoroughly rinsethe mixer after each mix to avoid cross-contamination ofchemicals. Use of i
21、mpeller-type mixers provides rapid, thor-ough mixing. When positioning the impeller special cautionshould be taken in choosing angle and depth to minimize theamount of air being drawn into the solution. Over-mixing ofthe solutions can cause oxidation, especially with developers,and should be avoided
22、. Rinse the shaft, impeller, and mountingclamp with water after use.5.4 Maintaining Equipment:5.4.1 Immediately clean all mixing equipment after use.5.4.2 In addition to cleaning equipment immediately afteruse, wash any mixing apparatus that has been idle for a longperiod of time to eliminate dust a
23、nd dirt that may haveaccumulated.5.4.3 Processing hangers and tanks should be free of corro-sion and chemical deposits. Encrusted deposits that accumulatein tanks, trays, and processing equipment which are difficult toremove by conventional cleaning, can be removed by using thespecially formulated c
24、leaning agents recommended by thechemical or equipment manufacturer.6. Storage of Solutions6.1 In Original ContainersFollow the manufacturersstorage and capacity recommendations packaged with thechemicals. Do not use chemicals that have been stored longerthan recommended.6.2 In Replenisher or Proces
25、s TanksWherever possible,protect solutions in tanks with floating lids and dust covers. Inaddition to preventing contaminants from entering solutions,floating lids and dust covers help to minimize oxidation andevaporation from the surface of the solutions. Evaporation canconcentrate solutions and re
26、duce temperatures causing precipi-tation of some of the solution constituents.6.2.1 Store replenisher solutions for small volume opera-tions in airtight containers. The caps of these containers shouldbe free of corrosion and foreign particles that could prevent atight fit.6.3 TemperatureStore all so
27、lutions at normal roomtemperature, between 40 to 80F (4 to 27C). Storing solutions,particularly developer, at elevated temperatures can producerapid oxidation resulting in loss of activity and a tendency tostain the film. Storage at too low a temperature, particularly offixer solutions, can cause so
28、me solutions to crystallize, and thecrystals may not redissolve even with heating and stirring.6.4 DeteriorationRadiographic film processing chemicalscan deteriorate either with age or with usage. Carefully followthe manufacturers recommendations for storage life and usefulcapacity. Discard processi
29、ng solutions when the recommendednumber of films has been processed or the recommendedstorage life of the prepared solution has been reached, which-ever occurs first.6.5 Contamination:6.5.1 Liquid chemicals are provided in containers withtight-fitting tops. To avoid contamination, never interchanget
30、he top of one container with another. For this reason, it iscommon practice for radiographic film processing chemicalsmanufacturers to color code the container tops, that is, red fordeveloper and blue for fixer.6.5.2 Clearly label replenisher storage tanks with the solu-tion that they contain and us
31、e that container only with thatsolution. If more than one developer or one fixer formulationare being used, a separate replenisher tank should be dedicatedto each chemical. Differences in developer or fixer formula-tions from one manufacturer to another may contaminatesimilar solutions.7. Processing
32、7.1 Manual Processing:7.1.1 Follow the temperature recommendations from thefilm or solution manufacturer. Check thermometers andtemperature-controlling devices periodically to be sure theprocess temperatures are correct. Process temperatures shouldbe checked at least once per shift. Keep the tempera
33、ture of thestop (if used), fixer, and wash water within 65F (63C) of thedeveloper temperature. An unprotected mercury-filled ther-mometer should never be used for radiographic film processingapplications because accidental breakage could result in seri-ous mercury contamination.7.1.2 Control of proc
34、essing solution temperature and im-mersion time relationships are instrumental considerationswhen establishing a processing procedure that will consistentlyproduce radiographs of desired density and quality. The actualtime and temperature relationships established are governedlargely by the industri
35、al radiographic films and chemicals usedand should be within the limits of the manufacturers recom-mendations for those materials. When determining the immer-sion time for each solution ensure that the draining time isE999 152included. Draining time should be consistent from solution tosolution. The
36、 darkroom timers used should be periodicallychecked for accuracy.7.1.3 Agitate at specified intervals for the times recom-mended by the film or solution manufacturer.7.1.4 As film is processed, the components of the processingsolutions involved in the radiographic process are consumed.In addition, s
37、ome solution adheres to the film and is carriedover into the next solution while bromide ions and otherby-products are released into the solutions. Replenishment iscarried out to replace those components which have beenconsumed while, at the same time, reducing the level ofby-products of the process
38、. The volume of replenishmentnecessary is governed primarily by the number, size, anddensity of films processed. Manufacturers recommendationsfor replenishment are based on these criteria and will generallyprovide suitable results for the expected life of the solution. Inany case, maintain solution
39、levels to ensure complete immer-sion of the film.7.1.5 Newly mixed chemicals are often referred to as“fresh.” “Seasoning” refers to the changes that take place in theprocessing solutions as films are processed after fresh chemi-cals have been added to the processor. As the processingsolutions season
40、, provided they are replenished appropriately,they will reach chemical equilibrium and the film speed andcontrast will be consistent and stable. To bring freshly mixedsolutions to a seasoned state very quickly, a chemical startercan be added or exposed films can be processed. When usingdeveloper sta
41、rter solution follow the manufacturers recom-mendations for the product. When using seasoning filmsexpose the films with visible light and then develop three 14 by17-in. (35 by 43-cm) films, or equivalent, per gallon (3.8 L) ofdeveloper, following the manufacturers recommended pro-cessing cycle, rep
42、lenishment, and wash rates.NOTE 1Seasoning films may be new films or films that may not begenerally suitable for production purposes due to excessive gross fog(base plus fog) density, expiration of shelf life, or other reasons.7.1.6 Handle all films carefully during the processing cycleand allow ade
43、quate time for the film to sufficiently drain beforetransferring it to the next solution. The use of a stop bath orclear water rinse between developing and fixing may also beappropriate. The stop bath or clear water rinse serve to arrestdevelopment and also aids in minimizing the amount ofdeveloper
44、carried over into the fixer solution. Insufficientbath-to-bath drain time may cause excessive solution carry-over which can contaminate and shorten the life of solutions inaddition to causing undesirable effects on processed radio-graphs.7.1.7 When washing films, a wetting agent may be appro-priate
45、to use to prevent water spots and streaking duringdrying. Prior to placing films in the dryer, ensure that the dryeris clean and that adequate heat and ventilation are provided.During drying, visually examine the films to determine thelength of time required for sufficient drying.7.2 Automated Proce
46、ssing:7.2.1 Immersion time and solution temperature relation-ships can be more closely controlled with automatic processingsince the equipment provides external gages for monitoringpurposes. As a general guideline, follow the manufacturersrecommendations for industrial processing materials.However,
47、the actual procedure used should be based on thevariables encountered by the user and his particular needs.Check solutions daily or with established frequency basedupon usage to ensure that temperatures are within the manu-facturers recommendations. Check the processors thermom-eter with a secondary
48、 thermometer during normal maintenanceprocedures to verify correct processing temperatures within themanufacturers specifications.7.2.2 Transport speed should be checked during normalmaintenance procedures by measuring the time it takes for agiven length of film to pass a specific point. (For exampl
49、e, ifthe indicated machine speed is 2 ft/min, place two marks on alength of film 1 ft apart. The second mark should pass a specificlocation, such as the entrance to the processor, exactly 30 safter the first mark has passed the same point.) An optionalmethod for measuring processor speed is to install a tachometeron the main drive motor and determine desired RPM/processing speed relationships.7.2.3 Agitation is provided by the action of the processorrollers, recirculation pumps, and wash water flow. No externalagitation is needed.7.2.4 For processors with
