Besides safety, the ultimate goal of the RT technician is to produce the highest quality radiographic image possible in order to assess the fitness of service of the specimen being tested.
Understanding radiographic sensitivity and the characteristics and variables of radiation and film - such as density, contrast, sharpness, magnification, and distortion, and what affects contrast and what affects definition - will help make that possible.
For example, overexposure of a radiography will produce darker images, or higher densities. Likewise, material thickness also affects contrast as radiation exposure is greater upon thinner sections than thicker ones. Figuring out the balance between all these factors will help you produce the greatest radiographic sensitivity, further ensuring your images show the highest amount of detail (and are therefore the most comprehensive image) possible.
NDT Classroom’s online courses in Radiographic Testing offer an in-depth look at the factors that affect the quality of a radiographic image and how to interpret what an image is showing. With high-def, real-world video examples, the courses clearly demonstrate how you as a technician can handle and maneuver variables to get the best image possible, providing you with the means to create better images. And better images = better understanding of any issues, which then = better chances to get at the root of the problem and fix it. And that is, ultimately, the end goal – accurately assessing and fixing the problem in order to create a safer world for all.
Want to learn more about imaging factors and radiographic testing? Click here for an overview of NDT Classroom's Level I and Level II courses.