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Radiography in Modern Industry - Kodak

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Maximum contrast of screen-type films is at a density of about 2.0. Therefore, other th<strong>in</strong>gs be<strong>in</strong>gequal, the greatest radiographic sensitivity will be obta<strong>in</strong>ed when the exposure is adjusted to givethis density.Film Gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess, Screen Mottle(See also "Film Gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess; Signal-to-Noise Ratio <strong>in</strong> Radiographs".)The image on an x-ray film is formed by countless m<strong>in</strong>ute silver gra<strong>in</strong>s, the <strong>in</strong>dividual particlesbe<strong>in</strong>g so small that they are visible only under a microscope. However, these small particles aregrouped together <strong>in</strong> relatively large masses, which are visible to the naked eye or with amagnification of only a few diameters. These masses result <strong>in</strong> the visual impression calledgra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess.All films exhibit gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess to a greater or lesser degree. In general, the slower films have lowergra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess than the faster. Thus, Film Y (Figure 47) would have a lower gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess than Film X.The gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess of all films <strong>in</strong>creases as the penetration of the radiation <strong>in</strong>creases, although therate of <strong>in</strong>crease may be different for different films. The gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess of the images produced at highkilovoltages makes the slow, <strong>in</strong>herently f<strong>in</strong>e-gra<strong>in</strong> films especially useful <strong>in</strong> the million- andmultimillion-volt range. When sufficient exposure can be given, they are also useful with gammarays.The use of lead screens has no significant effect on film gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess. However, gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess isaffected by process<strong>in</strong>g conditions, be<strong>in</strong>g directly related to the degree of development. For<strong>in</strong>stance, if development time is <strong>in</strong>creased for the purpose of <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g film speed, the gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>essof the result<strong>in</strong>g image is likewise <strong>in</strong>creased. Conversely, a developer or develop<strong>in</strong>g technique thatresults <strong>in</strong> an appreciable decrease <strong>in</strong> gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess will also cause an appreciable loss <strong>in</strong> film speed.However, adjustments made <strong>in</strong> development technique to compensate for changes <strong>in</strong>temperature or activity of a developer will have little effect on gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess. Such adjustments aremade to achieve the same degree of development as would be obta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the fresh developer ata standard process<strong>in</strong>g temperature, and therefore the gra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>ess of the film will be essentiallyunaffected.Another source of the irregular density <strong>in</strong> uniformly exposed areas is the screen mottleencountered <strong>in</strong> radiography with the fluorescent screens. The screen mottle <strong>in</strong>creases markedlyas hardness of the radiation <strong>in</strong>creases. This is one of the factors that limits the use of fluorescentscreens at high voltage and with gamma rays.PenetrametersA standard test piece is usually <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> every radiograph as a check on the adequacy of theradiographic technique. The test piece is commonly referred to as a penetrameter <strong>in</strong> NorthAmerica and an Image Quality Indicator (IQl) <strong>in</strong> Europe. The penetrameter (or lQI) is made of thesame material, or a similar material, as the specimen be<strong>in</strong>g radiographed, and is of a simplegeometric form. It conta<strong>in</strong>s some small structures (holes, wires, etc), the dimensions of whichbear some numerical relation to the thickness of the part be<strong>in</strong>g tested. The image of thepenetrameter on the radiograph is permanent evidence that the radiographic exam<strong>in</strong>ation wasconducted under proper conditions.Codes or agreements between customer and vendor may specify the type of penetrameter, itsdimensions, and how it is to be employed. Even if penetrameters are not specified, their use isadvisable, because they provide an effective check of the overall quality of the radiographic<strong>in</strong>spection.<strong>Radiography</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Modern</strong> <strong>Industry</strong> 90

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