ASTM E446-20
Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness

Standard No.

ASTM E446-20

Release Date

2020

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM E446-20

Scope

1.1 These reference radiographs2 illustrate various categories, types, and severity levels of discontinuities occurring in steel castings that have section thicknesses up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) (see Note 2). The reference radiograph films are an adjunct to this standard and must be purchased separately from ASTM International, if needed (see 2.2). Categories and severity levels for each discontinuity type represented by these reference radiographs are described in 1.3. NOTE 1—The basis of application for these reference radiographs requires a prior purchaser supplier agreement of radiographic examination attributes and classification criterion as described in Sections 4, 6, and 7 of this standard. NOTE 2—Reference radiographs previously used for this thickness range carried the designation E71, but included a now rarely used gamma source, that is, radium. The current document is also updated by inclusion of several recognized shrinkage or C categories and by elimination of the crack and hot tear categories, except for one example of each of these discontinuity types. Reference radiographs for thicker sections may be found in Reference Radiographs E186 and E280. Reference Radiographs E446 and E186 provide some overlap of severity levels for similar discontinuity categories within the same energy level range (see 4.3, 5.1, and 6.3). 1.2 These film reference radiographs are not intended to illustrate the types and degrees of discontinuities found in steel castings when performing digital radiography. If performing digital radiography of steel castings up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in thickness, refer to Digital Reference Image Standard E2868. 1.3 These reference radiographs consist of three separate volumes (see Note 3) as follows: (I) medium voltage (nominal 250-kV) X-rays. (II) 1-MV X-rays and Iridium-192 radiation, and (III) 2-MV to 4-MV X-rays and cobalt-60 radiation. Unless otherwise specified in a purchaser supplier agreement (see 1.1), each volume is for comparison only with production radiographs produced with radiation energy levels within the thickness range covered by this standard. Each volume consists of six categories of graded discontinuities of increasing severity level and four categories of ungraded discontinuities. Reference radiographs containing ungraded discontinuities are provided as a guide for recognition of a specific casting discontinuity type where severity levels are not needed. Following is a list of discontinuity categories, types and severity levels for the adjunct reference radiographs of this standard: 1.3.1 Category A—Gas porosity; severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.2 Category B—Sand and slag inclusions; severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.3 Category C—Shrinkage; 4 types: 1.3.3.1 Ca—linear shrinkage—Severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.3.2 Cb—feathery shrinkage—Severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.3.3 Cc—sponge shrinkage—Severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.3.4 Cd—combinations of linear, feathery and sponge shrinkage—Severity levels 1 through 5. 1.3.4 Category D—Crack; 1 illustration. 1.3.5 Category E—Hot tear; 1 illustration. 1.3.6 Category F—Insert; 1 illustration. 1.3.7 Category G—Mottling; 1 illustration. NOTE 3—The reference radiographs consist of the following: Volume I: Medium Voltage (nominal 250 kVp) X-ray Reference Radiographs—set of 34 illustrations (nominal 5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. Volume II: 1-MV X-rays and Iridium-192 Reference Radiographs—Set of 34 illustrations (nominal 5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. Volume III: 2-MV to 4-MV X-rays and Cobalt-60 Reference Radiographs—Set of 34 illustrations (nominal 5 by 7 in.) in a 15 by 17-in. ring binder. NOTE 4—Although Category G–Mottling is listed for all three volumes, the appearance of mottling is dependent on the level of radiation energy. Mottling appears reasonably prominent in Volume I; however, because of the higher radiation energy levels mottling may not be apparent in Volume II nor Volume III. 1.4 From time to time, there may be minor changes to the process for manufacturing of the reference radiograph adjunct materials. These changes could include changes in the films or processing chemicals used, changes in the dies or printing for the cardboard mats, etc.; however, in all cases, these changes are reviewed by the Illustration Monitoring Subcommittee and all reference radiographs are reviewed against a fixed prototype image to ensure that there are no changes to the acceptance level represented by the reference radiographs. Therefore, the 1 These reference radiographs are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.02 on Reference Radiological Images. Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E446 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/E0446-20. 2 For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Reference Radiographs SE-446 in Section V of that Code. *A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 adjunct reference radiographs remain valid for use with this standard regardless of the date of production or the revision level of the text standard. 1.5 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM E446-20 Referenced Document

• ASTM E1316 Standard Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations*， 2024-02-01 Update
• ASTM E186 Standard Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (2 to 4 &189; in. [51 to 114-mm]) Steel Castings
• ASTM E242 Standard Reference Radiographs for Appearances of Radiographic Images as Certain Parameters Are Changed
• ASTM E280 Standard Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (4 &189; to 12-in. [114 to 305-mm]) Steel Castings
• ASTM E2868 Standard Digital Reference Images for Steel Castings up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness*， 2022-12-01 Update
• ASTM E94 Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination*， 2024-04-22 Update
• ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel*， 2021-12-21 Update

ASTM E446-20 history

• 2020 ASTM E446-20 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness
• 2015 ASTM E446-15 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness
• 2014 ASTM E446-14 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. &40;50.8 mm&41; in Thickness
• 2010 ASTM E446-10 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness
• 1998 ASTM E446-98(2004)e1 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. [51 mm] in Thickness
• 1998 ASTM E446-98 Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (51 mm) in Thickness