Unit- 8

RADIOGRAPHICTEST FILM INTERPRETATION (RTFI)

KEY TOPICS

I. Radiographs Quality.

II. Indication Identification & Acceptance criteria.

III. Inspection records

I. Radiographs Quality

I.a) Density.

I.b) Sensitivity.

I.c) Re-takes / Re shoots.

I. Radiographs Quality
(a) Density.

The density limitation on the Any Project is 1.8 min and 4.0 max.

Densitometer
c) Sensitivity.

 Sensitivity in general refers to the size of the smallest detail that can be
seen in a radiograph.
 2% is the minimum required sensitivity on the any Project.
 % IQI Sensitivity= Thickness of wire visible X 100 ÷ joint thickness.

c) Re-takes / Re-shoots.

 In principle area of interest of all RT films shall be free from

mechanical, chemical, or other blemishes to the extent that they
are not confused with the image of any discontinuity.

1. Fogging
2. Process marks
3. water marks
4. chemical strains
5. scratches
6. Finger marks
7. Dirtiness
8. static marks
9. Tears

II. Indications Identification

& Acceptance criteria

Relevant indication

Only those indications which exceed the following shall be

considered as relevant indications

0.4mm for thickness 3mm to 6mm

0.8mm for thickness 6mm to 50mm.

1.6mm for thickness > 50mm.

1. CRACKS :

A fracture in the weld metal running across the weld.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:

Feathery, twisting line of darker density running across the width

of the weld image.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

Cracks are not accepted

1 A. TRANSVERSE CRACK
1 B. LONGITUDINAL CRACK

1.C Solidification Crack

2. LACK OF FUSION :

Elongated voids between the weld passes or between base metal

and weld metal surfaces to be welded.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:

Elongated parallel, or single, darker density lines sometimes

with darker density spots dispersed along the LOF lines which
are very straight in the lengthwise direction and not winding
like elongated slag lines.

Lack of side wall fusion Lack of root Fusion

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

Lack of Fusion is not accepted

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

3. Incomplete Penetration(IP) / Filling at the Root:

The edges of the pieces have not been welded together, usually at the
bottom of single V-groove welds.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:

An abrupt density change of the weld image with a straight longitudinal

darker density line at the center of the width of the weld image or along
the edge of the root with density change.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

IP is accepted for the welds line class where flange rating is 600lb and
below as stated here under

Depth of incomplete penetration ≤ 1 mm (1/32 in) and ≤

0.27Tw
Cumulative length of incomplete penetration ≤ 38 mm (1.5 in) in any
150mm (6in )weld width
4. EXCESS PENETRATION / EXCESS REINFORCEMENT:

Extra metal at the bottom ( root ) of the weld or at the capping of

the weld.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:
A lighter density in the center of the width of the weld image, either
extended along the weld or in isolated circular drops .

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion in any plane through the

weld shall be within limits of applicable height value as specified here
under.

3mm to 6mm = T/2 >6 to 13mm = 3mm,

>13mm to 25mm = 4mm >25 & above = 5mm
5. INTERNAL/ROOT CONCAVITY ( Suck Back ):

A depression in the center of the surface of the root pass.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:

An elongated irregular darker density with fuzzy edges, in the center of the
width of the weld image.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

1. Root concavity of any length can be accepted provided the thickness

of weld deposit (including acceptable weld reinforcement) is equal to
or grater than adjacent base metal thickness.

2. Flat root or Root concavity of a minor nature can generally be ignored.

3. Very minor root concavity (e.g.: less than 1mm deep) will nearly
always be acceptable and can be ignored .

4. More severe root concavity .Measure the depth of concavity and

external reinforcement using a cam gauge.

5. Acceptable if external reinforcement is within acceptable limits but

exceeds in height the depth of the concavity
6. EXTERNAL CONCAVITY or INSUFFICIENT FILL / CAPPING :

A depression in the top of the weld, or cover pass, indicating a thinner

than normal section thickness.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:

A weld density darker that the density of the pieces being welded and
extending across the full width of the weld image.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

External Concavity or Insufficient fill / capping is not permitted

• EXTERNAL (cap) UNDERCUT INTERNAL ( root ) UNDERCUT :

A gouging out of the piece to be welded, alongside the edge of the top or “
external “ surface of the weld, alongside the edge of the bottom or “internal”
surface of the weld .

• RADIOGRAPHIC IMMAGE:
An irregular darker density along the edge of
the weld image or near the center of the width of the weld image (and along
the edge of the root pass image). The density will always be darker than the
density of the pieces being welded.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

For piping class 600lb and less there is no

limit on the length of any undercut if the depth of undercut is less than or
equal to 1mm deep.

For piping class 900lb or greater & all piping classes where 100% RT is
required UNDERCUT IS NOT PERMITTED
 SURFACE POROSITY (Local Agreement):
• If the weld thickness is 5mm or less NO surface porosity is permitted.

• If the weld thickness is greater than 5mm isolated surface pores of diameter 1mm or
less are considered non-relevant

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

Acceptance criteria

SURFACE PORES OF DIAMETER GREATER THAN 1mm ARE NOT PERMITTED

Internal Porosity:
 Rounded voids random in size and location or slightly
elongated voids grouped together.

RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE:
Rounded spots of darker densities random in size and location or
slightly elongated darker density spots in cluster with the clusters
randomly spaced.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:
For wall thickness less than or equal to 6 mm same as ASME VIII
Division 1 Appendix 4 Table 4.1 For wall thickness grater than 6mm it
is 1.5 times the values specified in ASME VIII Division 1 Appendix 4 Table
4.1.

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

Typical ASME VIII div 1 Porosity Charts

Clustered Porosity

Isolated Porosity

Random Porosity

Charts shown are for 3mm to 6mm weld thickness

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

Random Internal Porosity

Cluster Porosity
SLAG INCLUSION / TUNGSTEN INCLUSION:
Usual non-metallic impurities that solidified on the weld
surface and were not removed between weld passes.

TUNGSTEN INCLUSION:
Random bits of tungsten fused into but not melted into
the weld metal.

SLAG INCLUSION:
An irregularly-shaped darker density spot (slightly
elongated) or Elongated, parallel or single darker density lines, irregular in
width and slightly winding in the lengthwise direction of the weld.

TUNGSTEN INCLUSION:
Irregular shaped lower density spots randomly located in
the weld image.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

The individual width of each indication is lesser of ≤ 3mm or 0.5Tw

The accumulated length in any 150mm of weld length is ≤ 4Tw
Elongated slag lines wagon crack or tramlines would normally be rejected for length
greater than 2 Tw

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

 Slag inclusions are often associated with lack of fusion

II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

LACK OF WELD REINFORCEMENT

Weld edges has fully fused bot insufficient

weld metal (i.e. the level of weld metal
below base metal –
NOT PERMITTED

POOR START - STOPS

Blend by grinding, in severe
cases re-capping may be needed
II. Indications identification & Acceptance criteria

WELD SPATTERS
NOT PERMITTED

ARC STRIKES
NOT PERMITTED