ISO 5579:2013

Overview

ISO 5579:2013 - "Non‑destructive testing - Radiographic testing of metallic materials using film and X‑ or gamma rays - Basic rules" defines the fundamental rules and recommended techniques for industrial film radiography of metallic materials. The standard is focused on flaw detection using X‑ray and gamma‑ray sources with photographic film as the imaging medium (it does not apply to digital detectors). ISO 5579:2013 provides guidance to achieve repeatable, cost‑effective radiographs but does not prescribe acceptance criteria for imperfections.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 5579:2013 covers practical and technical aspects central to reliable radiographic testing (RT):

• Scope and definitions: terms such as penetrated thickness, source‑to‑film distance (SFD), source size and object‑to‑film distance.
• Classification of techniques: two levels - Class A (basic) and Class B (improved) - with criteria for when to use each.
• Personnel qualification: testing to be performed by personnel qualified per ISO 9712 or equivalent.
• Radiation safety: mandatory protection against ionizing radiation and compliance with legal requirements.
• Image quality control: use of Image Quality Indicators (IQI) per the ISO 19232 series to verify sensitivity.
• Equipment and parameters:
  • Guidance on choice of X‑ray tube voltage and permitted gamma sources (extends up to 1 000 kV for X‑ray equipment and gives penetrated thickness ranges for various isotopes).
  • Film system classes (C1–C5) per ISO 11699‑1 and recommended screen materials/thicknesses.
  • Rules on beam alignment, reduction of scattered radiation, source‑to‑object and source‑to‑film distances, and maximum area per exposure.
• Processing and viewing: film processing control, recommended radiograph density, and viewing conditions.
• Documentation: requirements for identification, marking, overlap of films and content of the test report.

Applications

ISO 5579:2013 is applicable to industrial radiographic inspection of metallic products and components where film‑based X‑ray or gamma‑ray radiography is used. Typical use cases include:

• Weld and joint inspection in fabrication and construction
• Castings and forgings examination
• Pressure vessels, piping and pipeline components
• Heavy industrial and aerospace metallic parts where film radiography is preferred or mandated

Who uses this standard

• NDT engineers and certified radiographers
• Quality assurance / quality control managers in manufacturing and construction
• Inspection and testing laboratories
• Specification writers, procurement and regulatory bodies

Related standards

Normative references in ISO 5579:2013 include:

• ISO 9712 (personnel qualification)
• ISO 11699‑1 / ISO 11699‑2 (radiographic film systems and processing)
• ISO 19232‑1 to ISO 19232‑4 (IQI and image quality)
• ISO 5576 (vocabulary), ISO 5580 (radiographic illuminators)
• EN 12543, EN 12679 (focal spot and source size determination)

Keywords: ISO 5579:2013, radiographic testing, film radiography, NDT, X‑ray radiography, gamma radiography, image quality indicator, IQI, film systems, radiation safety.