In this contribution, we discuss the influence of scattered radiation on materials’ effective attenuation coefficients at higher X-ray energies. The selected X-ray spectra for the dual-energy experiments correspond to 3 MV and 7.5 MV acceleration potential of the used betatron. Experiments were performed on a test phantom containing step wedges of different low- and high-Z materials. We evaluated the ratio between low- and high-energy X-ray attenuation coefficients quantitatively based on simulated poly-energetic high-energy X-ray source spectra and the detector sensitivity using the “analytical Radiographic Testing inspection simulation tool” (aRTist) developed at BAM. Furthermore, the influence of scattered radiation is evaluated using an efficient Monte-Carlo simulation. The simulation results are compared quantitatively with experimental investigations. Finally, important applications of the proposed technique in the context of aviation security are discussed.
Determining scatter ratios at high energies (> ~ 1MeV) presents challenges not immediately obvious from measurements at conventional X-ray energies. This includes reduced attenuation even in heavy elements as well as a stronger forward bias of scattering. In order to check the reliability of different measurement setups with regard to material thicknesses, distances, and collimation, attenuation and scattering were separately simulated using a Monte Carlo model. The simulation results help in understanding the sources of radiation scattered into the detection area, thereby aiding in eliminating undesired contributions.
Within the framework of the European project PICASSO, the radiographic simulator aRTist (analytical
Radiographic Testing inspection simulation tool) developed by BAM has been extended for reliability
assessment of film and digital radiography. A simulation supported probability of detection (POD) methodology
has been developed and the validity of the approach has been studied using an application from the aeronautics
industry. An experimental POD has been determined with the help of a specialized software tool, developed to
aid with the collection of large series of POD data. The resulting POD is compared to simulations of the same
setting using aRTist and the newly available module for simulation supported POD. A quantitative agreement
within a few percent is achieved between the experimental and the simulation supported POD.
Within the framework of the European project PICASSO, the radiographic simulator aRTist (analytical Radiographic Testing inspection simulation tool) developed by BAM has been extended for reliability assessment of film and digital radiography. NDT of safety relevant components of aerospace industry requires the proof of probability of detection (POD) of the inspection. Modeling tools can reduce the expense of such extended, time consuming NDT trials, if the result of simulation fits to the experiment. Our analytic simulation tool consists of three modules for the description of the radiation source, the interaction of radiation with test pieces and flaws, and the detection process with special focus on film and digital industrial radiography. It features high processing speed with near–interactive frame rates and a high level of realism. A concept has been developed as well as a software extension for reliability investigations, completed by a user interface for planning automatic simulations with varying parameters and defects. Furthermore, an automatic image analysis procedure is included to evaluate the defect visibility. The radiographic modeling from 3D CAD of aero engine components and quality test samples are compared as a precondition for real trials. This enables the evaluation and optimization of film replacement for application of modern digital equipment for economical NDT and defined POD.
The new standard ISO 176362:2013 'NDT of welds: Radiographic testing - Part 2: X- and gamma ray techniques with digital detectors' describes a complex procedure for film replacement by phosphor imaging plates and digital detector arrays. RT modeling software should consider these detector types, X-ray film, and the standard requirements for image quality. Practitioners expect the same visibility of image quality indicators (IQI) in the simulated radiographs as in the experimental exposures. The proposed benchmark test is based on the comparison of experimental radiographs taken at BAM with modeled ones of participants. The experimental setup and the determination of the equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) as described in the procedure of ASTM E 746 are used for quantitative evaluation of the achievable contrast sensitivity for step hole IQIs as considered in Annex B of ISO 17636-2. System classification data for Computed Radiography (CR) and film systems will be provided by BAM according to ISO 116991 for selected film systems and according to ASTM E 2446 for selected CR systems. The classification of films and digital detectors is based on the measurement of the dose response function, the basic spatial resolution (SRb) of the image, and the measured image noise, which depends on the detector efficiency, the quantum statistics, and the detector fixed pattern noise.
A model is discussed which describes the generation of X-rays in conventional tubes using tabulated bremsstrahlung energy spectra depending on three variables: the target atomic number, the incident electron kinetic energy, and the fraction of energy radiated. Additionally a parameter-free description of the characteristic radiation is included. The constructed model includes technical tube parameters like kilovoltage, target material, and angles of electron incidence and photon emission to also account for self-absorption in the target, as well as radiographic parameters like filtering. In order to verify model results, detector response is also considered. The validity of the proposed model is shown by measurements. Future work includes the extension of the model to transmission targets. This research was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology under contract MNPQ transfer II D 5-30/06.