ISO 17636-1:2022

Overview

ISO 17636-1:2022 - "Non‑destructive testing of welds - Radiographic testing - Part 1: X‑ and gamma‑ray techniques with film" - specifies standardized radiographic techniques for inspecting fusion‑welded joints in metallic plates and cylindrical bodies (pipes, tubes, penstocks, boiler drums, pressure vessels) using industrial radiographic film. The document focuses on reproducible, generally accepted X‑ and gamma‑ray film procedures and associated quality controls. It does not set acceptance criteria for indications (see ISO 10675 series for evaluation limits).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & object types: Applies to plate and pipe welds; “pipe” includes other cylindrical components.
• Radiographic techniques: Recommended single‑wall and double‑wall methods, panoramic and off‑centre exposures, elliptic and perpendicular techniques, and DWDI/DWSI approaches for pipe radiography.
• Radiation sources: Guidance on choice of X‑ray and gamma sources (including X‑ray tube voltages up to high‑energy systems) and focal‑spot considerations.
• Film systems & processing: Requirements for industrial radiographic film classification and film processing control to achieve consistent optical density and image quality.
• Image quality and IQIs: Use, placement and evaluation of image quality indicators (IQIs - wire or step/hole types) and minimum image quality values per ISO 19232 series.
• Geometric factors: Source‑to‑object distance (SOD/SFD), object‑to‑film distance (OFD), beam alignment and maximum area per exposure to control magnification and image sharpness.
• Scatter reduction & filtering: Use of metal filters, collimation and interception of backscattered radiation to optimise contrast.
• Safety & personnel: Protection against ionizing radiation and requirements for personnel qualification (referenced: ISO 9712).
• Documentation: Required radiograph identification, marking, overlap rules, evaluation area definitions (AoI, WAE) and test reporting. Annexes cover exposure counts for circumferential butt welds and image quality tables.

Practical applications

• Establishing factory/shop and field procedures for film‑based weld radiography.
• Developing work instructions for pipeline, pressure vessel, boiler and structural weld inspection where film radiography is specified or preferred.
• Selecting IQIs, film systems and exposure parameters to achieve repeatable image quality.
• Training and certifying NDT personnel to perform film radiography in line with international practice.

Who should use this standard

• NDT managers, weld inspectors and radiographers
• Quality engineers in fabrication, petrochemical, power and pressure‑equipment industries
• Contractors and fabricators preparing radiographic procedures and QA documentation
• Training organizations and certification bodies referencing ISO 9712 and image‑quality standards

Related standards

• ISO 10675 (weld acceptance criteria)
• ISO 9712 (NDT personnel qualification)
• ISO 19232 series (image quality of radiographs)
• ISO 11699‑1/2 (industrial radiographic film)
• ASTM E747, EN 12543, EN 12679, JIS Z2306

Keywords: ISO 17636-1:2022, radiographic testing, weld inspection, X‑ray, gamma‑ray, film radiography, NDT, IQI, image quality, pipe radiography.