Part 5. Radiographic Artifacts Indication Description Because most nenrdevant indications can be readily related to their actual causes, this category of indications is comparatively easy to interpret. False and actual discontinuity indications will be presented here to provide guidance for the radiographic film interpreter. The interpretation of radiographs is not a procise science. As mentioned earlier in this chapter, even those qualified film interpreters with years of experience will often disagree on the nature of discontinuities and their disposition. The descriptions and illustrations"? contained in this chapter may be used as a general guideline to help identify similar indications encountered during the interpretation process. False Indications (Film Artifacts) The radiographic process is very intolerant of dirt and careless handling of the recording media. Violations of good darkroom practice in film loading Unloading and processing will result in artifacts that must be recognized for what they are, not what they may appear to be. Erroneous interpretations may be made as the result of not recognizing artifacts. Emulsion scratches are a common cause of such misinterpretation. These and ‘many other artifacts are quickly recognizable by viewing both surfaces of the film with reflected light. The double film technique is one of the most effective steps in recognizing artifacts, by simply comparing the area of interest on both films. If the indication is fon one film and not the other, is not in the same place or has changed in appearance, itis an artifact. ‘There are many different types of artifacts, some of which can be confused with actual discontinuities. It is extremely important to identify these false indications and to note their presence in the film interpreters report. In some cases the existence of artifacts in the area of interest may require reradiography. Itis therefore important to take every reasonable step to minimize artifacts. 202 Radiographic Testing Artifacts Caused before Processing ilm Scratches Radiographic film emulsion is quite sensitive and scratches can be caused by most abrasive materials; fingernails and rough handling during loading or unloading are examples. Film seratches can be identified by reflecting light at an langle to the film surface. Crimp Marks (Crimp marks are caused by bending the film abruptly, usually when loading and unloading the film Rolder. Ifthe film is crimped before exposure, it will produce a ‘erescent shaped indication that is lighter in density than the adjacent film density (Fig 14). Iferimped after exposure, the film will produce an indication that is darker than the adjacent film density. Ficune 14. Crimp marks resulting from poor handling of individual sheet of fim: (2) before exposure; (b) aftr exposure. @ Oo)Pressure Marks Pressure marks are caused by severe localized applications of pressure to the film. For example, a part may be dropped fon the film holder during setup. This wil produce an artifact. on the processed film Fig 19). Static Marks ‘Static charges may develop when the radiographic film is handled roughly or moved rapidly during loading or Unloading the film holder. It may also be caused by rapid removal of the paper wrapper used as an interleaf. The ‘appearance of static marks will range from branchlike, jagged dark lines to irregular, abrupt dark spots. Screen Marks Scratches and other blemishes in a lead screen will become intensified and can create significant indications on the film image. This may be especially noticeable when the film older containing the lead screens is bent to accommodate part configuration. Dirt on fluorescent screens ‘will interfere with light transmission to the film and a light area will result after the film is processed. Dirt on lead screens interferes with electron bombardment of the film and also produces a light area in the image (Fig. 16). Screens should have a unique serial number inscribed in a corner to identify these problems and to make it ‘easier to locate the faulty screen. ‘Small bits of foreign material (such as lint, tobacco, paper or dandruff) between the film and fluorescent or lead screens will cause light spots in the processed film. To minimize false indications from Ficure 18. Pressure mark caused before ‘exposure, visible as low density. screens, itis imperative that they be absolutely clean, smooth, free of imperfections and foreign matter. ‘A word of caution: manufacturers of screens often apply a thin plastic coating to protect the sereen from scratches, during processing. This coating must be removed before using a new screen as it will absorb much of the emissions that would otherwise provide the desired intensification. Fog Fogis an overall, small density increase caused when unexposed film is exposed to some chemicals, low levels of radiation, high humidity, small darkroom light leaks for an inadequate safelight. Information regarding safe light intensity limits can be obtained from the film manufacturer. Light Leaks Exposure to light usually results in noticeable local film blackening (Fig. 17). Ficure 16, Words front and back scratched in the surface of front and back lead foi screens before radiography of a 25 mm (1.0 in.) welded steol plate. Hairs placed ‘between respective screens and film are visible as light marks preceding inscribed words, Figure 17. Light leaks. _—a. | ~«S Radiographic interpretation 203,Film holders should be examined rogularly to eliminate the problem. Finger Marks ‘Marks such as fingerprints are normally easy to recognize. They may be darker or lighter images on the film. Artifacts Caused during Processing Chemical Streaks During manual processing, streaks on the film may result if cher processing are not adequ: from the hanger clips Fig. 18). Overall film streaking may also result when th film is placed directly into a water rinse without first placing!t into the stop bath solution. Developer carryover into the fixer may cause an overall streaking condition. A further cause of streaking is insufficient agitation of the film hanger during development. Spotting If fixer solution comes in contact with the film before development, light areas or spots will result (Fig. 19). If drops of developer or water inadvertently reach the film before placing it into the developer, dark spots can result (Fig. 20). Ficure 18. Streaking caused by inadequately cleaned film hangers. 204 Radiographic Testing Ficure 19, Light spots caused before ‘development: (a) by stop bath splashed on film; (B) by fixer splashed on film. @ Ficure 20. Dark spots caused before development: (a) by water splashed on film; (©) by developer splashed on fim. @ ©)Another spotting condition may occur from water droplets on the film surface. During the drying process, these droplets, take longer to dry and leave a distinet circular pattern on the film surface. Water spots can be reduced by using a wetting ‘agent before drying, Delay Streaks ‘Those are uneven streaks in the direction of film movement through an automatic [processor. A delay in feeding successive films may result in the drying of solutions ‘on the processor rollers. Cleaning the ‘exposed rollers with a damp cloth should eliminate delay streaks. ir Bells Air balls are caused by air bubbles clinging to the surface of the film when it is immersed in the developer. An air bell [prevents developer from reaching the film surface, thus causing light spots on the film image. If the film hanger is tapped abruptly against the side of the tank then properly agtated, the air bubbles should ‘become dislodged. Dirt If dirt or other contaminants accumulate ‘on the surface of the developer or fixer, a hoticaably dirty pattor will probably ‘appear on the film. Ifthe rinse water is ‘Rot adequately replenished, it can also cause a similar problom, especially ifthe jwater coming into the wash tank Ts dirty and filtration is not used (Fig. 21). This Condition ean be verified by observing the surface of the film in reflected light. a Ficure 21. Surface deposits caused by contaminated wash water in automatic Pi Lines These lines run across the film, perpendicular to the direction of rolling When an automatic processor is used, They occur at regularly spaced intervals, 3.14 times the roller diameter. This Condition is apparently caused by a slight it of chemicals on the rollers by the leading edge of the film (Fig. 22). Pressure Marks Pressure marks may be caused by a buildup of foreign matter On rollers in an automatic processor or by inadequate clearances betweon rollers. Rollers should be thoroughly cleaned and properly adjusted to minimize this condition ig. 23). Kissing Film that comes in contact with other film, especially in the developer during ‘manual processing, will result in a severe blotch in the area of contact. Ficure 22. Pi lines. Two oF more lines recur at interval of x x roller diameter. Ficure 23, Pressure marks caused by foreign ‘matter on rollers oF improper roller clearance. Radiographic Interpretation 205Artifacts Caused after Processing Scratches Scratches result from rough handling. Even after processing, the emulsion is sensitive to all types of abrasion and care should be taken to minimize damage to the emulsion. Fingerprints These occur when improperly handling the film, as can happen during interpretation. Film should be handled with care by the edges or comers Whenever possible. To prevent fingerprints, radiographs should be handled with cotton or nylon gloves. Radioscopic Artifacts Radioscopic artifacts are also operator dependent and must be recognized. They are caused primarily by electronic noise {generated in video systems and can be Corrected by filtering, Dust on the lens surface is another common cause of real time artifacts. When using image enhancement techniques on radiographs, a very careful examination of the film should be made to identify all artifacts before enhancement. Otherwise, the artifacts will also be enhanced and could possibly be difficult to identity in Subsequent evaluations, This is also true when radiographs are duplicated or microfilmed. 206 Radiographic Testing