Weld defect detection using a modified anisotropic diffusion model

This article proposes a new modified anisotropic diffusion scheme for automatic defect detection in radiographic films. The new diffusion method allows to enhance, to sharpen anomalies, and to smooth the background of the image. This new technique is based on the modification of the classical diffusion rule by using a nonlinear sigmoidal function. Experimental results are carried out on multiple real radiographic recorded films of Gaz pipelines of the “Tunisian Society of Electricity and Gas distribution: STEG“ and the society “Control offices–chemical and industrial analysis laboratories: Saybolt-Tunisia“. The new automatic defect detection method shows good performance in comparison with other existing algorithms.