Optimization of Digital Industrial Radiography (DIR) Techniques for Specific Applications: An IAEA Coordinated Research Project

In June 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) convened a meeting of technical specialists from a dozen member states to initiate a coordinated research project (CRP) focussing on optimization of DIR techniques for specific applications. The objectives of this CRP are to test and validate simple and low cost DIR techniques and the optimization of X-Ray detector, detector source configuration, data processing and evaluation accuracy, spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity for steel and special light alloys. Participating organizations will evaluate both computed radiography (CR) and fluoroscopic techniques, based on scintillation screens beeing imaged with a digital CCD camera. The advance in PC-based computer technology and integrated data acquisition hardware for camera systems allows a low budget design of fluoroscopic DIR. New accumulation and calibration procedures enable the increase of contrast resolution, which will be comparable to modern detector systems. Digitised film radiographs, taken corresponding to USA and European standards, will be applied as reference in image quality. Comparative data will be collected for a series of test blocks, standard weld specimens and a variety of industrial castings. In this paper, the authors will describe the basis for the ongoing project, indicate the major milestones and suggest the probable outcomes when the project is completed in 2010.