Radiography Inspection

Sub-surface discontinuities are detected by transmitting X-rays or Gamma rays through a

material to a film on the opposite side of the piece being tested. Radiography works on both
ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Magna Chek has several Radiographic capabilities: X-Ray,
Real Time X-Ray, Gamma Ray and Mobile NDT units. Whatever your needs, Magna Chek can
assist you with them.
Real Time Radiography
Real Time radiography is a method whereby an image is produced

electronically, rather than on film. This is a highly requested form of X-ray. Being produced
electronically on a disk, very little lag time occurs between the item being exposed to radiation
and the resulting image. In most instances, the electronic image that is viewed results from the
radiation passing through the object being inspected and interacting with a screen of material that
fluoresces or gives off light when the interaction occurs. The fluorescent elements of the screen
form the image much as the grains of silver form the image in film radiography. The image
formed is a positive image, since brighter areas on the image indicates where higher levels of
transmitted radiation reached the screen. This image is the opposite of the negative image
produced in film radiography. In other words, with RTR, the lighter, brighter areas represent
thinner sections or less dense sections of the test object. Real-time radiography is a wellestablished method of NDT having applications in automotive, aerospace, pressure vessel,
electronic, and munitions industries, among others. The use of RTR is increasing due to a
reduction in the cost of the equipment and resolution of issues such as the protecting and storing
digital images.
X-ray

With Magna Cheks 200 and 300 kilovolt x-ray units, maximum

thickness penetration is 2.5inches of steel. But it offers an even greater thickness penetration
when inspecting aluminum, plastics, ceramics and other certain materials, depending on their
density. We have a 1212 foot exposure room with a sliding lead doorwall that is capable of
inspecting very large pieces. Testing in this room uses the 300kilovolt x-ray unit for maximum
penetration and greater versatility. With this large exposure room we can test a wide variety of
large parts such as steering components, aircraft assemblies, armored vehicles, turrets and more.
We can also test large lot sizes of castings, forgings, solid state components, etc.

Real Time X-Ray

Magna Chek uses the BI-VISION video digital image processing system. This system sets the
standard for industrial real time x-ray image enhancement. With its high resolution, speed and
advanced image manipulation features, the BI-VISION system provides quick and accurate
detection of the most subtle defects from the x-ray image up to 2.5inches of steel. This system
provides a wide range of image processing functions that are easily accessed through the touch
screen menus. Features include frame averaging, recursive frame averaging, contrast, black and
white levels adjusting, image overlay labeling and pseudo color. A range of 2 to 264 frames of
video can be integrated and averaged to reduce white noise caused by x-ray scatter. Image
convolution features include image sharpening, smoothing, edge detection, edge enhancing and
more. The on-screen distance measuring feature allows easy evaluation of the sizes of image
indications. Images can be output to RS-170 or SVGA monitors, stored to disks or other digital
storage media or printed. All of these capabilities and more, make the BI-VISION digital image
processing system ideally suited for integration in to NDT radiography applications. This system
allows us to create an immediate and thorough analysis of complex structures of varying
densities. Our equipment enables us to identify and diagnose submicron defects, void percentage,
solder sphere information and wire sweeping. Real Time also gives the user freedom to enhance
image quality and obtain distance and diameter measurements of a component. Without the need
to remove components from protective packaging, it allows for single layer inspection of the
electronic components. Real Time X-ray can also be a complimentary technique providing
critical information for the proper implementation of subsequent analytical techniques.

Capabilities

Submicron spot size

Automatic void identification and measurement software

Maximum inspection area of 18 by 16 (458mm by 407mm)

Image analysis and measurement software

System (geometric) magnification up to 4800X

Oblique angle view 0 to 45 degrees

Digital Imaging

Industries

Microelectronic

Aerospace

Automotive

Medical

Commercial

Applications

Failure Analysis

Process and Quality Control

Reliability

Printed Circuit Boards

Solder Joint Formation

Metallization Defects and Registrations

Via Alignment

Ball Grid Arrays

Solder Sphere Formation and Voiding

Die Attach

Ceramic Packages

Frit Seals

Foreign Material

Die Attach

Bond Wire Sweep

Metal Packages

Lid Seals

Die Attach

Opaque Particles

Plastic Packages

Die Attach

Bond Wire Sweep

Gamma Ray

With Magna Cheks Gamma Ray unit, we

increase penetration capabilities up to 3.5 inches of steel. Gamma ray units do not require power
because of the Iridium isotope, which makes them ideal for inspecting remote items such as
pipelines, bridges, etc.
CT Scan
Industrial CT uses irradiation to produce three-dimensional views of the scanned sample both
externally and internally. Industrial CT scanning has been used in many areas of industry for
internal inspection of components. The most common use for industrial CT scanning is flaw
detection, failure analysis, metrology, assembly analysis and reverse engineering applications.
Industrial imaging includes both nontomographic radiography and computed tomographic
radiography. With 30+ years of experience, we have accomplished many unique NDT projects,
No matter how routine or how unconventional your project may be we can handle your
inspection needs.
Mobile NDT Units
Cant come to us? Then Magna Chek will come to you. Our units can be equipped with 200 or
300 kilovolt X-Ray machines or Gamma ray units whatever your spec requires. On site
development, interpretation and reporting are standard with Magna Chek. These units are
available for on-site inspection of power generating turbines, boilers, pressure vessels, bridges,
crane assemblies and much more.
Acceptable Standards

ASNT-SNTC-1A

CP 189

ASME Section IV

API 1104

ASTM E 94, Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination

ASTM E 155, Standard Reference Radiographs for Inspection of Aluminum and

Magnesium Castings

ASTM E 592, Standard Guide to Obtainable ASTM Equivalent Penetrameter Sensitivity

for Radiography of Steel Plates 1/4 to 2 in. [6 to 51 mm] Thick with X Rays and 1 to 6 in.
[25 to 152 mm] Thick with Cobalt-60

ASTM E 747, Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material Grouping
Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiology

ASTM E 801, Standard Practice for Controlling Quality of Radiological Examination of

Electronic Devices

ASTM E 1030, Standard Test Method for Radiographic Examination of Metallic Castings

ASTM E 1032, Standard Test Method for Radiographic Examination of Weldments

ASTM 1161, Standard Practice for Radiologic Examination of Semiconductors and

Electronic Components

ASTM E 1648, Standard Reference Radiographs for Examination of Aluminum Fusion

Welds

ASTM E 1735, Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Image Quality of
Industrial Radiographic Film Exposed to X-Radiation from 4 to 25 MeV

ASTM E 1815, Standard Test Method for Classification of Film Systems for Industrial
Radiography

ASTM E 1817, Standard Practice for Controlling Quality of Radiological Examination by

Using Representative Quality Indicators (RQIs)

ASTM E 2104, Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination of Advanced Aero and
Turbine Materials and Components

Advantages

Permanent record of the test in the form of easily interpretable radiograph

Highly sensitive

Versatile in examining a variety of shapes and sizes

Volumetric inspection that eliminates needs to disassemble component

Limitations

RT has thickness limitations based on material density and energy used

Can be time consuming

Radiation hazard

Cracks oriented perpendicular to the x-ray beam may not be detected

Electrical source for x-ray tube inspection