Radiographic Testing (RT) — X-Ray, Gamma + Digital Radiography 2026

Atlantis NDT delivers the complete radiographic testing curriculum + consulting stack — film radiography, digital radiography (DR), computed radiography (CR), and gamma radiography with Ir-192, Co-60, Se-75, Yb-169 isotopes. Real-time radioscopy (RTR) + digital detector array (DDA) per ASME V Articles 22 + 27. ASME Section V Article 2, API 1104 pipeline radiography, ISO 17636-1/2, AWS D1.1, AWS D17.1 aerospace welding compliant. ASNT NDT Level I/II/III RT training (96% first-pass) + radiation safety officer consulting + outsourced Level III RT consulting.

RT Method Physics + Source Selection

RT uses ionising radiation (X-ray or gamma) penetrating the test object to produce a 2D radiograph showing density variations from internal discontinuities. Source selection per material thickness: X-ray (constant potential 100-450 kV) — high resolution, thin sections, controllable; Ir-192 gamma (0.6 MeV avg) — most common field use, 12-75 mm steel; Co-60 gamma (1.25 MeV avg) — thick sections 50-200 mm steel; Se-75 gamma (low-energy) — thin sections 5-25 mm steel with better contrast; Yb-169 — ultra-thin + small-diameter pipe. Digital detectors (DDA) replace film with 14-bit grey-scale + SNR per ASME V Article 27.

IQI + Sensitivity + Exposure Geometry

Image quality indicators (IQI) verify technique sensitivity: ASTM E1025 hole-type (1T/2T/4T penetrameter) or ASTM E747 wire-type (ISO + EN preferred). Sensitivity typically 2% (2T/wire essential per Code). Exposure geometry per ASME V Article 2 Mandatory Appendix: single-wall single-image (SWSI), double-wall single-image (DWSI), double-wall double-image (DWDI elliptical for small-diameter pipe per ASME V T-275). Source-to-film distance + geometric unsharpness Ug = source × thickness / SFD calculation.

Code + Acceptance Criteria

RT acceptance per: ASME Section V Article 2 (general RT) + Mandatory Appendices; ASME Section VIII Div 1 + 2 Mandatory Appendix 4 pressure vessel acceptance; ASME B31.3 piping acceptance; API 1104 pipeline welding; AWS D1.1 + D17.1 aerospace; ISO 17636-1/2 EU weld RT; ASTM E94 standard guide + E747 + E1025 IQI; IACS Rec-20 marine. Indication classification: porosity, slag inclusion, incomplete fusion, incomplete penetration, crack, undercut, concavity. Acceptance level dependent on material thickness, weld type, service.

Radiation Safety + Regulatory

RT involves ionising-radiation hazard requiring strict safety: NRC + state licensing in US, IAEA + national-regulator licensing internationally, controlled-area survey, source-pit shielding, radiation-area dose-rate calculation, personnel TLD + electronic dosimeter, transport per IAEA TS-R-1, source-change-out per manufacturer + regulatory. Atlantis NDT delivers radiation safety officer (RSO) consulting per applicable jurisdiction. See consulting for RSO scoping.

Atlantis NDT RT Procedure Pack

Turn-key RT pack: written procedure (ASME V Article 2 + ISO 17636 aligned), technique sheet (per source + thickness + geometry), film density + IQI sensitivity log, ASNT NDT Level III sign-off, inspector training (96% first-pass via Atlantis Academy), free retake-grade backstop. Plus RSO + radiation safety procedure pack. Integrated with Atlantis NDT ERP for source-cert + cert tracking, Reporting Software for digital radiograph archival, Digital Twin for 3D defect overlay, Atlantis AI for NDT (DR/CR defect classification with mandatory Level III approval).

RT Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When should we use DR/CR vs film RT?

A: DR/CR replaces film for most applications: instant image review, no chemicals, archivable digital records, real-time radioscopy possible. Film RT still preferred for: extreme thickness (Co-60 + thick concrete), legacy customer specifications, regulatory carry-over. ASME V Articles 22 + 27 govern DR/CR acceptance.

Q2: What's the minimum sensitivity required?

A: 2% (2T/2T essential, or appropriate wire size) per ASME V Article 2 Mandatory Appendix. Achieved via IQI per ASTM E1025 (hole-type) or E747 (wire-type).

Q3: How is gamma source replaced?

A: Per manufacturer + NRC/regulator change-out procedure with shielded transport, hot-cell receipt, dose-rate survey. Atlantis NDT delivers full source-change-out compliance consulting via RSO.

Q4: What ASNT cert is required for RT inspection?

A: Level II independent acquisition + interpretation; Level III procedure authoring + final disposition + multi-method oversight. Plus radiation-safety officer (RSO) certification per applicable regulator. Atlantis Academy covers all.

Q5: Pricing for RT consulting + training?

A: No published pricing — varies by region + scope + radiation-safety jurisdiction. Free 30-min consultation + tailored quote. Affordable, accessible, fully customizable.

Get a free RT consultation. See also RT training, ASNT, UT pillar, Level III consulting, AI for NDT.