RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGE PLATES PHYSICAL …

2015 International Nuclear Atlantic Conference - INAC 2015 São Paulo,SP, Brazil, October 4-9, 2015 ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE ENERGIA NUCLEAR - ABEN ISBN: 978-85-99141-06-9

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGE PLATES PHYSICAL

STRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES IN WELD INSPECTIONS

Davi F. Oliveira1,2

, Aline S. S. Silva1, Alessandra S. Machado

1, Célio S. Gomes

1,

Joseilson R. Nascimento1 and Ricardo T. Lopes

1

1Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear/COPPE

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

68509 Rio de Janeiro, RJ

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

2Departamento de Física Aplicada - Instituto de Física

Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524

20550-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

In the last decades a new type of detector which is based on photostimulable luminescence was

developed. There are currently many kinds of image plates (IPs) available on the market, originating from

different manufacturers. Each kind of plate distinguishes itself from the others by its peculiar physical

structure and composition, two factors which have a direct influence upon the quality of the digital

radiographic images obtained through them. For this study, several kinds of IPs were tested in order to

determine in which way such influence takes place. For this purpose, each kind of IP has been

characterized and correlated to its response in the final image. The aim of this work was to evaluate

procedures for employing Computed Radiography (CR) to welding inspections in laboratory conditions

using the Simple Wall Simple Image Technique (SWSI). Tests were performed in steel welded joins of

thickness 5.33, 12.70 and 25.40 mm, using CR scanner and IPs available on the market. It was used an X-

Ray equipment as radiation source. The image quality parameters Basic Spatial Resolution (BSR),

Normalized Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNRN), contrast and detectability were evaluated. In order to

determine in which way the IPs’ properties are correlated to its response in the final image, the thickness

of the sensitive layer was determined and the grain size and the elemental composition of this layer were

evaluated. Based on the results drawn from this study, it is possible to conclude that the physical

characteristics of image plates are essential for determining the quality of the digital radiography images

acquired with them. Regarding the chemical composition of the plates, it was possible to determine that,

apart from the chemical elements that were expected to be found (Ba, I and Br), only two plates, with

high resolution, don’t have fluorine in their composition; the presence of Strontium was also detected in

the chemical composition of the plates supplied by a specific manufacturer. Regarding the grain size and

the thickness of the IPs’ sensitive layers, we could determine that the dimensions of such parameters were

smaller on the plates presenting higher BSR, SNRN and contrast. However, the image plates, which

produced images with the highest resolution, have also proven to be the least sensitive ones. All these

parameters have a direct influence in the detectability of the defects found in the welded joints, were it

was possible to observe that for images obtained with plates with small grain size and thinner sensitive

layer, the defects could be better visualized, including small cracks and pores.

INAC 2015, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

1. INTRODUCTION

Computed radiography (CR) with phosphor plates (Image Plate – IP) has become the

most common commercially available device used to perform digital radiography [1].

Development of CR systems enabled it to become a viable alternative to the

conventional method in many aspects of industrial radiography applications, such as

weld inspection, corrosion detection and evaluation of deteriorated mechanisms in

pipelines and equipments [2,3].

IPs used for industrial radiography contain BaFBr:Eu+2

active layer in which, after

radiographic exposure, latent image is formed. The scanning IP in CR system with laser

beam enables photostimulated luminescence (PSL) effect and thus transforming latent

image into visible light [4,5]. The creation of latent images on IPs is based on the

energy levels of the electrons within a crystal lattice.

During irradiation the photon energy is absorbed in the active layer of the IP, directly by

generating pairs of electrons and holes. The electrons are stored in F-centers – energy

levels between the valence and conduction bands ̶ while the holes are captured by Eu2+

ions [6]. The latent image which is formed by the spatial variation of the generated

electron and hole storage centers can be subsequently recovered by scanning the image

plate point by point with a focused red laser beam (λ = 700 nm), which converts it into

visible light (PSL) [7]. Emitted visible light is collected by light guides, amplified in

photomultiplier tube and transformed into digital image by A/D converter, which can be

viewed and analyzed [8,9].

The physical characteristics of phosphor plates are of substantial importance in

determining the quality of the radiographic images acquired through them. Industrial

use of CR requires development of evaluation methods for certain image parameters in

order to achieve a higher quality as possible [10].

This paper presents a study assessing the influence of the parameters which characterize

the IP regarding the quality of digital radiographic images. The IPs’ characterization has

been made by determining the thickness of the sensitive layer, evaluating the grain size

and the elemental composition of this layer. In order to evaluate the quality of the

images acquired by the CR system, the following parameters have been analyzed: dose,

basic spatial resolution (BSR), normalized signal-to-noise ratio (SNRN) and

detectability of the defects.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to analyze the quality parameters of digital radiographic images by comparing

the physical characteristics of different kinds of IPs, a two-step methodology was

applied: first, each IP has been duly characterized, and then an evaluation on the quality

of the images obtained through each plate has been performed.

In this study, 8 different kinds of phosphor plates supplied by 3 different manufacturers

(A, B and C) have been analyzed. Table 1 show the description of the Image Plates

analyzed. The Blue Plates are the ones with the highest resolution; then, we have the

high resolution plates (HR) and, finally, the standard resolution plates (ST).


Table 1: Description of the ImagePlates analyzed

Phosphor Plate Manufacturer Plate Type

1 A

2 B1

3 C1

Blue

Plates

4 B2

5 C2

6 C3

HR

Plates

7 B3

8 C4

ST

Plates

2.1. IPs’ Characterization

The characterization of the plates has been made by using a micrometer to determine the

thickness of the sensitive layer of each IP and by evaluating the grain size and the

chemical composition of each IPs’ sensitive layer with the aid of a scanning electron

microscope (SEM).This study was performed using a Jeol 2000 FX scanning transmission

electron microscope operating at 200 kV, equipped with a Noran Energy Dispersive X-ray

(EDX) and an ASID module for compositional mapping.

2.2. Quality of the Digital Radiographic Images

The aim of this step was to evaluate procedures for employing Computed Radiography

(CR) to welding inspections in laboratory conditions using the Single Wall Single

Image Technique (SWSI).Tests were performed in steel welded joins of thickness of

5.33 mm (S1), 12.70 mm (S2) and 25.40 mm (S3), where defects were generated during

the welding process for detectability analysis. Figure 1 shows the samples used.

S1 S2 S3

Figure 1: Test Samples

Figure 2 shows the experimental setup used in this study. It was used an X-ray tube,

model XMB 225, manufacturing of Yxlon, placed at a distance of 600 mm from the IP

and a computed radiography system. The samples were placed directly on the cassette

containing the IP. The exposure parameters used in this experiment are presented in

Table 2.

The computed radiography system used was HD-CR 35 NDT (Durr). For analyzing and

processing the images was used the software Isee. This system has a bit depth of 16 bits

for codification and a 50 µm pixel size.


Figure 2:Experimental Setup

Table 2: Exposure parameters.

Sample IP X-ray

Source

Focal Size

(mm)

Voltage

(kV)

Current

(mA)

Expossure

Time (s)

1 100

2 85

3 300

4 45

5 32

6 36

7 22

S1

8

110 8.0

17

1 87

2 78

3 274

4 41

5 31

6 31

7 18

S2

8

160 7.5

15

1 250

2 220

3 811

4 113

5 78

6 84

7 55

S3

8

Yxlon 225 3

225 4.5

37


The digital radiographic images were evaluated in accordance with the current standards

[12-17] to the following parameters: radiographic sensitivity, through wire IQI, basic

spatial resolution (BSR), through duplex wire IQI and normalized signal to noise ratio

(SNRN), through the software ISee [11]. Table 3 shows the requirements of radiographic

quality for the images.

Table 3: Requirements of radiographic quality for the images

Sample Thickness

(mm)

Essential wire

ASTM (ISO)

BSR

(µm) SNRN

S1 5.33 6 (12) 100 >100

S2 12.70 8 (10) 100 >100

S3 25.40 10 (8) 100 >100

For the detectability analysis was developed a comparative study among the images

obtained from CR and Digital Detectors Array (DDA) - Flat Panel. The DDA system

used was DXR250V, manufactured by GEIT.

3. RESULTS

The experimental results described hereinabove revealed the elemental composition of each

IPs’ sensitive layer (results shown in Table 4), as well as their average grain size and the

thickness of their sensitive layers (results shown in Table 5).

Table 4: Chemical composition of each IPs’ sensitive layer

Element Concentration (%) Image Plate

Fluorine Bromine Strontium Iodine Barium

1 A 6.46 25.42 - 5.40 42.96

2 B1 5.69 24.31 - 5.28 43.94

3 C1 3.81 23.94 - 7.82 48.69

4 B2 - 30.89 - 12.36 17.93

5 C2 - 28.50 1.09 7.53 48.41

6 C3 8.77 24.63 1.85 6.03 41.46

7 B3 6.23 24.68 - 4.49 35.56

8 C4 7.28 25.15 1.09 6.02 36.77

Regarding the elemental composition of each IPs’ sensitive layer, it is interesting to point

out that, in addition to the presence of Barium, Bromine and Iodine ― which were expected

to be found ―, Fluorine and Strontium were detected in some of the plates. We could also

determine that only two plates, with high resolution, don’t have fluorine in their


composition and the element Strontium is only to be found in the plates produced by one

specific manufacturer (C).

The data presented in Table 5 shows that blue plates have smaller grains and their

sensitive layers are thinner than the others, matching what had already been predicted by

theoretical studies. Figure 3 shows SEM images of each IPs’ sensitive layer obtained with a

1,000 x magnification rate.

Table 5: Average grain size and thickness of each IPs’ sensitive layer

Image Plate Thickness of the

Sensitive layer (µµµµm) Grain Size (µµµµm)

1 131 ± 50 3.11 ± 0.65

2 154 ± 50 4.05 ± 1.13

3 112 ± 50 4.62 ± 0.99

4 173 ± 50 4.16 ± 1.03

5 154 ± 50 5.28 ± 1.45

6 168 ± 50 5.05 ± 1.39

7 268 ± 50 7.55 ± 2.27

8 227 ± 50 10.89 ± 3.84

A

B1

C1

B2

C2

C3

B3 C4

Figure 3: SEM images of each IP model with a 1,000x magnification rate.


As stated hereinabove, in addition to determining the physical characteristics of each

kind of IP, this study also assessed the image quality obtained with each plate. Table 6

below shows the results drawn from this assessment, which has evaluated the Dose,

Contrast, BSR and SNRN. According to the specific standards, the values indicated in

red would be all reproved.

Contrast was approved in all images, both at the central area and at the extremities of

each welding. In general, the best values were found in the blue plates: IPs 1 and 2.

BSR was not approved only in IP 8 for all three inspected samples. As for the SNRN, it

was not approved in IPs 7 and 8 for all the samples, and neither was it approved in IP 4

for sample 3.

Table 6: Assessment of quality parameters for each IP.

Contrast IQI (ISO) Samples IP Dose (Gy)

Center Extremity BSR (µm) SNRN

1 0.266 15 14 50 234

2 0.227 15 14 50 180

3 0.866 15 14 50 139

4 0.127 14 13 80 103

5 0.097 14 14 80 160

6 0.089 14 13 80 136

7 0.055 13 12 100 64

S1

8 0.039 14 13 130 63

1 0.465 13 12 50 221

2 0.395 12 13 50 161

3 1.553 11 12 50 134

4 0.211 12 11 80 116

5 0.144 13 12 80 145

6 0.144 13 11 80 130

7 0.076 11 11 100 63

S2

8 0.058 11 11 130 63

1 1.230 11 10 80 155

2 1.166 10 10 80 101

3 4.163 9 9 65 108

4 0.517 10 9 100 83

5 0.389 10 9 100 109

6 0.392 10 9 100 109

7 0.254 9 9 100 66

S3

8 0.162 9 9 130 52

In order to better evaluate and compare the results drawn from the experiment described

above, comparative charts have been created. Figures 4-9 below indicate the correlation

between the quality parameters mentioned above and the grain size and thickness of

each IPs’ sensitive layer.

The curves shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 indicate that, in most cases, the larger the grain

size on the IP sensitive layer, the higher the IPs’ sensitivity and the lower its BSR and


SNRN. This is due to the fact that large phosphor grains intensify the scattering effect,

which affects the quality of the image in a negative way.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Dose (Gy)

Grain Size (µµµµm)

Image Plate

Grain Size 5.33 mm 12.70 mm 25.40 mm

Blue Plates HR Plates ST Plates

Figure 4: Relationship between the grain size (µm) and the dose (Gy), for each

plate.

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BSR (µµµµm)


Image Plate



Figure 5: Relationship between the grain size (µm) and the BSR (µm), for each

plate.


0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SNRN


Image Plate



Figure 6: Relationship between the grain size (µm) and SNRN, for each plate.

Moreover, since the grain size of each plate has been defined based on an average

assessment, such values are subject to a certain level of uncertainty. This uncertainty is

represented by the standard deviation of the average sizes of the grains measured for

this study. Therefore, the lower the uncertainty is, the more similar in size the grains

are. It was possible to observe that the level of uncertainty is higher for those plates

whose sensitive layer is composed by rather large grains; hence, the higher the

uncertainty level, the lower the BSR and SNRN.

By analyzing the curves shown on Figures 7, 8, and 9 below, it can be noticed that, the

thicker the sensitive layer of an IP is, the higher its sensitivity is and, consequently, the

lower its BSR and SNRN are. This is due to the fact that, on thicker sensitive layers, the

storage phosphors are more likely to be excited by the luminescence emitted by other

phosphor grains, which directly affects the quality of the image.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Dose (Gy)

Sensitive Thickness (µµµµm)

Image Plate

Sensitive Thickness 5.33 mm 12.70 mm 25.40 mm


Figure 7: Relationship between the thickness of the sensitive layer (µm) and the dose

(Gy), for each plate.


0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BSR (µµµµm)


Image Plate



Figure 8: Relationship between the thickness of the sensitive layer (µm) and the BSR

(µm), for each plate.

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SNRN


Image Plate



Figure 9: Relationship between the thickness of the sensitive layer (µm) and the

SNRN, for each plate.

The data presented above shows that the physical characteristics of an image plate wield

a considerable influence on the image quality. This explains why the response of an IP

cannot be predicted by a general principle. Hence, even if the phosphor grains of a

certain IP are relatively small in size, the BSR can be low in case its sensitive layer is

rather thick.


2.1. Detectability

Digital images generated by DDA system were used as reference images for

detectability evaluation. Figure 10 shows the defects map obtained from this technique

for the three samples. In this evaluation, was verified the power of detection and

identification of discontinuities in the CR images. The results obtained for detectability

of the defects are shown in table 7.

S1

S2

S3

Figure 10: Defects map of the samples S1, S2 and S3.

Table 7: Detectability results.

Samples IP Detectability

(%) Samples IP

Detectability

(%) Samples IP

Detectability

(%)

1 100 1 90.2 1 90.4

2 98.9 2 90.9 2 91.5

3 99.8 3 92.2 3 75.2

4 97.1 4 73.9 4 58.5

5 98.9 5 93.7 5 88.1

6 98.5 6 91.5 6 79.1

7 95.3 7 65.3 7 76.6

S1

8 95.9

S2

8 71.1

S3

8 70.2

Figures 11 and 12 indicate the correlation between the detectability of the defects found

and the grain size and thickness of each IPs’ sensitive layer. In these curves was

possible to observe that for images obtained using plates with small grain size and

thinner sensitive layer, the defects could be better visualized.


0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Detectability (%)


Image Plate



Figure 11: Relationship between the grain size (µm) of the sensitive layer (µm) and

the detectability, for each plate.

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Detectability (%)


Image Plate



Figure 12: Relationship between the thickness of the sensitive layer (µm) and the

detectability, for each plate.

4. CONCLUSION

Based on the results drawn from this study, it is possible to conclude that the physical

characteristics of phosphor plates are essential for determining the quality of the digital

radiography images acquired with them. Regarding the grain size and the thickness of

the IPs’ sensitive layers, we could determine that the dimensions of such parameters

were smaller on the plates presenting higher BSR, SNRN and contrast. However, the

image plates which produced images with the highest resolution have also proven to be

the least sensitive ones. In this way, it is possible to conclude that the efficiency of an IP

can be improved by increasing the sensitive thickness of the plate; but, on the other

hand, such an increase shall lead to a decrease in resolution. Moreover, it is also


possible to conclude that high-resolution phosphor plates are more efficient in absorbing

X-ray photons.

Regarding the chemical composition of the plates, it was possible to determine that,

apart from the chemical elements that were expected to be found (Ba, I and Br), only

two plates, with high resolution, don’t have fluorine in their composition; the presence

of Strontium was also detected in the chemical composition of the plates supplied by a

specific manufacturer.

All these parameters have a direct influence in the detectability of the defects found in

the welded joints, were it was possible to observe that for images obtained with plates

with small grain size and thinner sensitive layer, the defects could be better visualized,

including small cracks and pores.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Carla Marinho and Marcos Aiub (Petrobras), Conselho

Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo

à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) and Coordenação de

Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

REFERENCES

1. United Nations Committee of the Effects of Anatomic Radiation. Sources and

effects of ionizing radiation, vol. 1. Sources, annex D. Medical radiation exposure.

New York: United Nations, p. 355. (2000)

2. U. Ewert, U. Zscherpel, C. Heyne, M.Jechow, “Strategies for Film Replacement”,

VII Hungarian NDT-Conference, Eger, Hungary, April 12-14 (2011).

3. U. Zscherpel, “New concepts for corrosion Inspection of Pipelines by Digital

Industrial Radiology (DIR)”, WCNDT 2000 - Industrial Plants and Structures,

Rome, Italy, November (2000).

4. M. Rakvin, D. Markučič, B. Hižman, “Evaluation of Pipe Wall Thickness Based on

Contrast Measurement using Computed Radiography (CR)”, Procedia EngineeringVol.69, pp.1216 – 1224 (2014).

5. K. Takahashi, “Progress in Science and Technology on Photostimulable BaFX:Eu2+

(X = Cl, Br, I) and Imaging Plates”, Journal of Luminescence, Vol.100, pp.307-315

(2002).

6. M. Thoms, H. von Segger, A. Winnacker, “Spatial correlation and

photostimulability of defect centers in the x-ray-storage phosphor

BaFBr:Eu2+

”,Physics Review B, Vol.44, pp.9240-9247 (1991).


7. M. Thorns, “The quantum efficiency of with image radiographic imaging plates”,

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, Vol.378, pp.598-611

(1996).

8. S. A. Mango, “How to Evaluate the Radiographic Performance Envelope of a

Computed Radiography System”, Materials Evaluation, Vol.64, nº3, pp.297-302

(2006).

9. S. A. Mango, “Transitioning to Digital Radiography – When does it make sense?”,

16th WCNDT –World Conference on NDT, Montreal, Canada, August-September

(2004).

10. A. S. S. Silva, D. F. Oliveira, A. S. Machado, J. R. Nascimento, R. T.Lopes, “An

Evaluation of Imaging Plate Characteristics that Determine Image Quality in

Computed Radiography”, Materials Evaluation, Vol.72, pp.392-397 (2014).

11. BAM, User Manual for the Measuring Program ISee!,Verson 10.2. Disponível em:

HTUhttp://www.kb.bam.de/~alex/ic.html (2007).

12. ASTM E 2445, Standard Practice for Qualification and Long-Term Stability of

Computed Radiology Systems (2005).

13. ASTM E 2446, Standard Practice for Classification of Computed Radiology Systems

(2005).

14. EN 14784-1, Non-destructive testing - Industrial computed radiography with storage

phosphor imaging plates - Part 1: Classification of systems (2005).

15. EN 14784-2, Non-destructive testing - Industrial computed radiography with storage

phosphor imaging plates - Part 2: General principles for testing of metallic materials

using X-rays and gamma rays (2005).

16. ISO 19232-1, Non-destructive testing - Image quality of radiographs - Part 1: Image

quality indicators (wire type) - Determination of image quality value (2004).

17. ISO 19232-5, Non-destructive testing - Image quality of radiographs - Part 5: Image

quality indicators (duplex wire type) - Determination of image unsharpness value

(2004).

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGE PLATES PHYSICAL …

Documents

Transcript of RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGE PLATES PHYSICAL …