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L4-UAE-046C (Rev 4) Radiographic Examination Procedure (Scar System)
L4-UAE-046C (Rev 4) Radiographic Examination Procedure (Scar System)
REVISION NO.: 4
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
L4-UAE-046C
This procedure covers the requirements top carry out the radiographic examination of steel butt weld joints,
including alloy steel, austenitic stainless steel & high nickel alloys by gamma rays with SCAR SYSTEM.
The extent of the examination may be full or spot (based on the referencing CODE section).
3.0 Definition
b) Contractor: Organization contracted by the company to provide a radiographic service. In this case
it is Applus.
c) NDE Inspector (Technician): A qualified and certified individual who conducts the testing as
described in this document, records test results and evaluates the same for acceptance. He shall
be certified to at least Level II as per Applus written practice.
d) Area of Interest: The actual test region and adjacent area of width at least 5 mm on either side of
it.
g) Radiograph Image: Picture exposed on film using x-rays or gamma rays as a source for
exposure.
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4.1. Responsibilities
a) The concerned production supervisor is responsible for preparation of the test items for
Radiographic Testing.
b) The designated Quality Control Inspector is responsible for selection of the items or extent of
areas to be tested in concurrence with the ASME Authorized inspector wherever applicable as per
the requirements of CODE.
c) The NDE Inspector assigned for conducting the actual test is responsible for following this
procedure and reporting of test results in approved reporting formats.
d) The designated Quality Control Inspector is responsible to ensure that qualified NDE personnel are
employed on the job.
a) Personnel performing the test qualified and certificated to at least Level I as per APPLUS written
practice .The Level I operator is required to perform the test and record test results in accordance
with written instructions. The Level I operator shall function under the supervision or direction of
an individual certified to at least Level II.
c) Personnel engaged in actual handling or working with radio-isotopes shall be licensed by the local
authority.
a) This Procedure is a General NDE document for reference and use by authorized Velosi personnel,
applicable for the purpose identified in the scope and essentially addressing the requirements of
ASME Section V.
b) This Procedure contains Mandatory and Non-mandatory Annexure. Any revision to this Procedure
or Mandatory Annexure will require revision and re-issue of this Procedure with review and
acceptance by the company NDT Level-III and approved by Velosi country Manager.
c) Demonstration of the density and IQI image requirements of the written procedure on production
or technique radiographs shall be considered as satisfactory compliance with the procedure.
However required or asked by client, a technique sheet with all the parameter mentioned therein
shall be attached to the procedure or a reference to the technique shall be made.
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"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
Gamma ray, Ir -192 SCAR Projector, source type and model along with decay charts.
Survey meter.
Dosimeter.
- Lead markers
- Measuring Tape.
- Elastic
- Penetrameters.
b) Equipment used shall satisfy all the requirements specified in ASME Section V.
c) The maximum size of the source shall be 3.5 mm diameter x 3.5 mm length.
d) The following emergency equipment (safety equipment) shall always travel along with the
source:
Handling tongs
Recovery container
- Hacksaw
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
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a) Radiography shall be done using industrial radiographic film- ASTM Class 2 (AGFA D7 or
equivalent) or Class 1 (AGFA D4 or equivalent) shall be used as necessary to archive the required
radiographic sensitivity.
c) Films shall be used within the manufacturer’s specified shelf life or product’s expiry date.
4.7. Cassettes
Flexible opaque film holding cassettes of the appropriate size shall be used.
a) Surfaces shall satisfy the requirements of the applicable materials specification, with additional
conditioning, if necessary, by any suitable process to a degree that surface irregularities cannot
mask or be confused with discontinuities.
b) Weld ripples or weld surface irregularities on both the inside (where accessible) and outside shall
be removed by any suitable process to such a degree that the resulting radiographic image cannot
mask or be confused with the image of a discontinuity.
c) The finished surface of all butt welded joints may be flush with the base material or may have
reasonably uniform crowns with reinforcement not to exceed that specified in the referencing Code
Section.
a) A lead symbol “B”, with minimum dimensions 13 mm height and 1.5mm thickness shall be
attached to the back of each film holder during each exposure to determine if backscatter
radiation is exposing the film.
b) Appearance of a light image of the letter “B” in a darker background will indicate that the
backscatter is significant and will result in rejection of the radiograph.
c) Appearance of a darker image of “B” in a lighter background shall not be cause for rejection.
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a) A system shall be used to produce permanent identification on the radiograph traceable to the
contract, component, and weld or weld seam, or part members, as appropriate. In addition the
Company Identification symbol or abbreviation or name and the date of the radiograph shall be
plainly and permanently included on the radiograph.
b) Where repairs are encountered or re-shots are necessary, the identification shall be traceable to
the status of the weld repair, e.g. R1, R2 or RS1, RS2 as appropriate.
c) This identification system does not necessarily require that the information appear as radiographic
images. In any case, this information shall not obscure the area of interest on the radiograph.
a) IQIs (also termed as penetrameters) shall be selected from either the same alloy material group or
grade as identified in SE-747 or from an alloy material group with less radiation absorption than
the material being radio graphed.
b) IQI shall be of the wire type and shall be manufactured in accordance with the requirements or
alternatives allowed in SE-747 and related Appendices.
c) Selection of IQIs according to the thickness of the job being radio graphed shall be according to
Table 1.
d) ASTM wire-type IQIs (also termed as penetrameters) may be used to exhibit sensitivity as
determined by the required wire size shown in Table 1 below. The sensitivity desired shall be
determined by the size of the thinnest wire visible from the set as a continuous radiographic
image.
f) Thickness used for selecting the IQI shall include single wall thickness plus allowable limits of
reinforcement. Backing strip thickness shall not be included in this calculation.
g) For radiographic techniques, the thickness of the Single wall plus reinforcement as allowable by
the applicable Referencing CODE section shall be considered for the selection of IQI.
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"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
TABLE 2
Wire IQI designation, wire diameter and Wire identity
a) For components where one or more film cassettes are used for an exposure, at least one
penetrometer image shall appear on each radiograph except as outlined below:
Multiple Penetrometers: If the requirements of optical density detailed in Clause 4.18 are met
by using more than one penetrameter, one shall be representative of the lightest area of
interest and the other of the darkest area of interest; the intervening densities on the
radiograph shall be considered as having acceptable density.
Special cases
- For cylindrical vessels where the source is placed on the axis of the object and one or
more film cassettes are used for a single exposure of a complete circumference, at least
four penetrameters shall be used spaced approximately 90 degrees apart. Where
sections of longitudinal welds adjoining the circumferential weld are radiographed
simultaneously with the circumferential weld, an additional penetrameter shall be placed
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- For cylindrical vessels where the source is placed on the axis of the object and four or
more cassettes are used for exposure of a single section of the circumference, at least
three penetrameters shall be used. One shall be in the approximate center of the section
exposed and one at each end. When the section of the circumference exposed exceeds
240 degrees, the rules of (1) above apply. Additional film locations may be required to
obtain necessary penetrameter spacing; otherwise at least one penetrameter image shall
appear on each radiograph.
- For spherical vessels, where the source is located at the center of the vessel and one or
more film cassettes are used for a single exposure of a complete circumference, at least
three penetrameters shall be used spaced approximately 120 degrees apart. For other
welds radiographed simultaneously, one additional penetrameter shall be placed on each
other weld.
b) The penetrometers shall be placed wherever possible on the source side of the object. When
inaccessibility prevents hand placement of the IQI’s on the source side, they shall be placed on the
film side in contract with the part being examined. Lead letters “F” shall be placed adjacent to or
on the IQI but shall not mask the essential hole where hole type IQI’s are used.
c) The length of the wires shall be perpendicular to the length of the weld. The identification
numbers and when used, the letter F shall not appear in the area of interest except when
geometrical configuration makes it impractical.
a) Location markers which are to appear as radiographic images on the film shall be placed on the
part and not on the film cassette.
b) Their locations shall be permanently marked on the surface of the part being radiographed (when
permitted) or on a map, in a manner permitting the area of interest on a radiograph to be
accurately traceable to its location on the part, for the required retention period of the radiograph.
Evidence shall be provided on the radiograph that the required coverage has been provided of the
region being examined has been obtained.
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a) Geometric unsharpness of the radiograph shall be determined in accordance with the following
formula:
Ug = F x t /D
Where Ug = Geometric unsharpness (in mm)
F = Source size: the maximum projected dimension of the radiation
source in the plane perpendicular to the distance D from the weld
radiographed (in mm).
D = Distance from source of radiation to the weld or object being
radiographed (in mm).
t = Distance from the source side of the weld or object being
radiographed to the film (in mm).
b) When required by the referencing Code Section, geometric unsharpness shall not exceed the
following.
c) The films shall be placed in close contact with the object and source size shall be as small as
practicable to reduce unsharpness.
a) Any SFD may be used provided that the required radiographic quality and sensitivity is
demonstrated. As a guideline, the following is used.
The minimum source to film distance shall be determined accordance with the permissible limit
of geometric unsharpness.
SFD = (F x t /Ug) + t
For Single wall exposures on plates, a further calculation shall be done based on the length of
radiograph or cassette using the following formula
SFD = 1.4 x L
Where L is the length of the weld that will be interpreted.
The maximum figure as determined from the above two formulae above shall be used as the
minimum SFD required for the particular setup.
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a) Single Wall Single Image (SWSI): Wherever possible the SWSI technique shall be used. A special
case of this technique is the panoramic technique in which the source is centered at the middle of
the pipe and film positioned all-round the joint. In this case, the minimum source-to-film distance
shall be one-half of the pipe diameters.
b) Double Wall Single Image (DWSI): In the DWSI technique, the source is positioned on the outside
surface of the weld and film positioned on the segment of the weld diametrically opposite. In this
condition, the source-to-film distance is equal to the pipe diameter. The full circumference of the
weld shall be covered in a minimum of four separate exposures using appropriate film lengths.
Full coverage may be permitted in three separate exposures in cases of diameters of 10" or less
with wall thickness Sch. 40 or lesser.
c) Radiographic Technique used shall be selected as appropriate from the sheets appended to this
document as Appendix 1. These sheets reference the appropriate sections of the Code.
b) Processing chemicals shall be used within the manufacturer’s recommended shelf life or product
expiry date specified
d) Developing shall be done for a period between 5 and 8 minutes at a temperature of 20 to 220C.
At higher temperatures (not exceeding 25 degrees C) the developing time may be curtailed as
determined by visually observing the extent of film development during the process. For lower
temperatures (not to go below 18 degrees C), the development time may be required to be
increased as appropriate.
e) Fixing time shall normally be at least twice the developing time (not to exceed 15 minutes in fresh
fixer).
f) Washing after developing and fixing shall be done in running water as appropriate.
g) After washing, the films shall be put to dry. A film drying cabinet incorporating circulating heated
air may be used to assist in drying.
a) Viewing facilities shall provide subdued background lighting of an intensity that will cause
troublesome reflectors, shadows, or glare on the radiograph.
b) Equipment used to view radiographs for interpretation shall provide a variable light source
sufficient for the essential IQI hole or designated wire to be visible for the specified density.
c) The viewing condition shall be such that light from around the outer edge of the radiograph or
coming through low-density portions of the radiograph does not interfere with interpretation.
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"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
a) All radiographs shall be free from mechanical, chemical or other blemished to the extent that they
do not mask and are not confused with the image of any discontinuity in the area of interest of the
object being radiographed. Such blemishes include but are not limited to a) Fogging b) Processing
defects such as streaks, watermarks, or chemical stains c) Scratches, finger marks, crimps,
dirtiness, static marks, smudges or tears; d) False indications due to defective screens.
b) The optical density of each radiograph shall not be less than 2.0. The upper limit of density may
be as high as 4.0 provided that a viewer of sufficient intensity is available to permit satisfactory
interpretation
c) Density variation in the area of interest on the radiograph shall not exceed -15 % to + 30 % of
the density as measured through the image of the penetrameter. If this range is exceeded, one or
more additional penetrameters may be required to be placed in the areas not meeting these
requirements. These density variations do not apply in the case of hole type penetrameters or
when shims are placed under the penetrameters to simulate maximum allowable reinforcement.
a) Densitometer shall be calibrated at least every 90 days by using calibrated step wedge comparison
films having at least 5 steps with neutral densities between1.0 and 4.0. The step wedge
calibration film shall have been verified within the last year by comparison with a national standard
step tablet unless, prior to first use, it was maintained in the original light-tight and waterproof
sealed package as supplied by the manufacturer. Step wedge calibration films may be used
without verification or one year upon opening, provided it is within the manufacturer’s stated shelf
life.
b) For calibration of the densitometer, the step-by-step operational instructions of the manufacturer
shall be followed.
The density steps closest to 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 on the national standard step wedge or step
wedge calibration film shall be used.
The densitometer is acceptable of the density readings do not vary by more than ± 0.05
density units from the actual density stated on the national standard step tablet or wedge
calibration film.
a) Step wedge comparison films shall be verified prior to use, unless performed by the manufacturer,
as follows:
The density of the steps on a step wedge comparison film shall be verified by a calibrated
densitometer.
The step wedge comparison film is acceptable if the density readings do not vary by more
than +/-0.1 density units from the density stated on the step wedge comparison films.
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b) Verification checks for step wedge comparison films shall be performed annually.
4.23. Documentation
b) Periodic verification readings for densitometers and step wedge comparison do not have to be
documented.
4.24. Reporting
a) This shall be done on the format appended at the end of this document. Other formats as may be
approved or specified in Contractual Specifications may be used as alternatives but as a minimum,
all the items specified by ASME as required on a report shall appear.
b) Velosi is responsible for the review, interpretation, evaluation and acceptance of the completed
radiographs to ensure compliance with the requirements of Article 2 and the referencing Code
Section. As an aid to the review and evaluation, the radiographic technique documentation
required by T-291 shall be completed prior to evaluation and accompany the radiographs for
interpretation along with the report.
5.0 Acceptance
The following documents, specifications, specifications & codes shall be considered as acceptance criteria either
individually or in conjunction with each other as per the requirement for evaluation of discontinuity of testing
surface.
5.1. Acceptance criteria as per ASME SEC VIII DIV 1 , 2015 Edition.
b) Any other elongated indication on the radiograph which has length greater than:
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c) Any group of aligned indications that have an aggregate length greater than t in a length of 12t,
except when the distance between the successive imperfections exceeds 6L where L is the length
of the longest imperfection in the group.
e) Porosity is not considered for evaluation in the case of Spot radiography per UW-52.
1⁄3t for t from 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) to 21⁄4 in. (57 mm)
3⁄4 in. (19 mm) for t over 21⁄4 in. (57 mm)
("t" referred to above pertains to the thickness of the weld being examined; if a weld joins two
members having different thickness at the weld, t is the thinner of these two thicknesses.)
c) Any group of indications in line that have an aggregate length greater than t in any length 12t of
weld except where the distance between the successive indications exceeds 6L where L is the
longest indication in the group.
1⁄3t for t from 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) to 21⁄4 in. (57 mm)
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("t" referred to above pertains to the thickness of the weld being examined; if a weld joins two
members having different thickness at the weld, t is the thinner of these two thicknesses.)
c) Any group of indications in line that have an aggregate length greater than t in any length 12t of
weld except where the distance between the successive indications exceeds 6L where L is the
longest indication in the group.
5.4. Acceptance criteria as per ASME SEC VIII Div.2, 2015 Edition.
5.4.1.1. Terminology
Thickness t- the thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For a butt weld joining two members
having different thicknesses at the weld, t is the thinner of these two thicknesses. If a full penetration weld includes
a fillet weld, the thickness of the fillet throat shall be included in the calculation of t.
1⁄3t for t from 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) to 21⁄4 in. (57 mm)
3⁄4 in. (19 mm) for t over 21⁄4 in. (57 mm)
c) Internal root weld conditions are acceptable when the density or image brightness change as
indicated in the radiograph is not abrupt. Linear indications on the radiograph at either end of
such conditions shall be evaluated in accordance with the other section of this paragraph.
5.4.2.1. Terminology
a) Rounded Indications- Indications with a maximum length of three times the width or less on the
radiograph are defined as rounded indications. These indications may be circular, elliptical, conical,
or irregular in shape.
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a) Rounded Indication Charts- relevant rounded indications characterized as imperfection shall not
exceed those shown in Figures 7.5 through 7.10, which illustrate various types of assorted,
randomly dispersed and clustered rounded indications for different weld thickness greater than
3mm(1/8 in).
b) Relevant Indications – only those rounded indications that exceed the following dimensions shall
be considered relevant and compared to the acceptance charts for disposition.
0.4mm(1/64 in) for t greater than or equal to 3mm( 1/8 in) and less than or equal to
6mm(1/4in)
0.8mm(1/32 in) for t greater than 6mm (1/4 in) and less than or equal to 50 mm(2 in)
Maximum size of Rounded indication – the maximum permissible size of any indication shall be
t 4 or 4mm (5/32 in), whichever is smaller: except that an isolated indication separated from
an adjacent indication by 25mm( 1 in) or more may be 3t, or 6mm( ¼ in),whichever is less.
For t greater than 50mm (2 in) the maximum permissible size of an isolated indication shall be
increased to 10mm (3/8 in).
Aligned Rounded Indications - aligned rounded indications are acceptable when the
summation of the diameters of the indications is less than t in a length 12t.The length of
groups of aligned rounded indications and the spacing between the group shall meet the
requirements of Fig 7.4 of ASME Sec.VIII Div. 2: 2015.
Cluster indications – The illustrations for clustered indications show up to four times as many
indications in a local area , as that shown in the illustrations for random indications. The
length of an acceptable cluster shall not exceed the lesser of 25mm(1 in) or 2t.Where more
than one cluster is present, the sum of the lengths of the clusters shall not exceed 25mm( 1
in) in a 150mm (6 in) length weld.
Weld Thickness t less than 3mm ( 1/8 in) – for “t” less than 3mm ( 1/8 in) the maximum
number of rounded indications shall not exceed 12 in a 15mm( 6 in) length of weld. A
proportionally fewer number of indications shall be permitted in welds less than 150mm (6 in)
in length.
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"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
To aid in proper interpretation of radiographs, details of the radiographic. Used shall accompany each group of
radiographs. As a minimum, the information shall include
c) Number exposures
d) Isotope used
e) Source size
f) Base Material type and thickness range, weld thickness and reinforcement as applicable.
7.0 Annexures
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.
This document shall only be considered "controlled" if obtained directly from the Server. Any download or printed copies shall be considered
"uncontrolled" and due should be taken to ensure no obsolete revisions are used.