Using X-rays for Industrial and Non-Destructive Testing

Using X-rays for Industrial and Non-Destructive Testing

Non-destructive testing, also called NDT, refers to a large group of techniques used for analysis in science and industry.  The purpose of NDT is to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage.  NDT allows the person doing the inspection to see inside the article, much as medical X-rays enable a doctor to see inside a patient.  Just as X-rays in medicine help to diagnose or rule out conditions, X-ray NDT also diagnosis or rules out problems.  In this way, X-ray NDT can save both money and time when evaluating a product, troubleshooting a problem or doing research.   X-ray imaging is particularly important for products including circuit boards, concrete, metal parts and assemblies.

Advantages of X-ray NDT

X-ray technology enables the inspection of many different material types, and many different densities.  Minimum surface preparation is required.  Assembled components can easily be inspected.  Even items that have varying degrees of thickness and surface damage can easily be viewed with X-ray technology.

Fragile items, such as art works and archaeological finds can also be safely inspected via X-ray technology.  In fact, X-ray radiography is a standard technique widely used and accepted by art historians, archaeologists, curators and conservators as this method enables information about the manufacturing process and the condition of an object without “touching” the artifact.  Particularly with arts and antiquities, X-ray examination is an important way to authenticate by determining the material composition and crystalline structure of the components.

Disadvantages of X-ray NDT

While there are many advantages to X-ray examination, there are also disadvantages and cautions with the use of any radiologic technology:    (1) safety precautions are required for the safe use of radiation: (2)  access to both sides of the specimen are required; (3) orientation of the sample is critical; and (4)  determining flaw depth is impossible without additional angled exposures.

One additional non-procedural issue regarding X-ray NDT is the storage and maintenance of the X-ray film itself.  It’s important to note that the conditions under which X-ray film is stored significantly influence the rate of deterioration.  While the film base plays an important role, regardless of the base, good conditions can extend film’s useful life.   All X-ray film is vulnerable to excessive heat, moisture and exposure to pollution

Conversion of NDT X-rays to Digital

One way to eliminate the concerns regarding prolonged storage of NDT X-ray film is to convert the film to digital images.   Digital images not only preserve the original X-ray image better and longer than on film, but also solve the challenges of managing the film.  It is much simpler and far more efficient to access a digital image than it is to comb through stacks of physical film, which can easily be misplaced or lost.

Whether you’re involved in analyzing and cataloging antiquities, or performing inspections of aerospace components, maintaining your x-ray files is a priority.  Digital image files can help you:

• Improve productivity
• Increase accuracy of interpretations and collaborate remotely
• Streamline workflow
• Reduce storage costs
• Optimize your film management

A professional X-ray scanning/digitizing service can provide economic conversion of your industrial films.  By using industrial film digitizers that are specifically designed to meet the stringent needs of the non-destructive test market, an experienced X-ray scanning service bureau can address the unique needs of nearly any industrial testing film.

Once your images are digital, a cloud-based storage/access system can provide comprehensive access to your digitized film images, as well as simplified collaboration.  A software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution can provide a reasonably price Cloud application that replaces the need for costly X-ray film storage.

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