AS 2452.

1—1982

Australian Standard

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING—
DETERMINATION OF THICKNESS

Part 1—DETERMINATION OF
WALL THICKNESS OF
PIPE BY THE USE OF
RADIOGRAPHY
This Australian standard was prepared by Committee MT/7, Non-destructive Testing
of Metals and Materials. It was approved on behalf of the Council of the Standards
Association of Australia on 18 May 1982 and published on 11 October 1982.

The following interests were represented on the committee responsible for the
preparation of this standard:
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Australian Gas Association
Australian Institute for Non-destructive Testing
Australian Pipeline Industry Association
Australian Welding Institute
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Confederation of Australian Industry
Department of Defence
Department of Industrial Relations, N.S.W.
Department of Labour and Industry, Vic.
Electricity Supply Association of Australia
Institute of Australian Foundrymen
Metal Trades Industries Association of Australia
National Association of Testing Authorities
Pipeline Authority
Railways of Australia Committee
Society of Automotive Engineers—Australasia

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First publi shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1982

This standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 80122.

ISBN 0 7262 2674 2

 3 AS 2452.1—1982

PREFACE

This standard was prepared by the Association’s Committee on Non-destructive

Testing of Metals and Materials, at the request of the Metals Standards Board and the
Committee on Gas Cylinders.
This standard is the first part of a proposed three-part standard on thickness
measurements; Part 2 covers the determination of the depth of corrosion pits in pipe
by the use of radiography; Part 3* covers the measurement of wall thickness of pipe
by acoustic methods.
The methods in this standard provide suitable bases for the testing of round pipe or
other small pressure vessels, including gas cylinders. The methods rely on the use of
a source of radiation, X-rays or gamma-rays, and require testing personnel to be
experienced in the handling and use of radiation equipment and materials.
NOTE: The eff ecti veness of radiographic testing is dependent on the technical competence of the
personnel performing the tests and on their abil it y to assess radiographs.
The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) operates a system
of accreditation of laboratories in Australia and facilities for the tests in this standard
are afforded by laboratories registered by NATA for this class of testing.
In its assessment of non-destructive testing laboratories, NATA recognizes the
qualifications granted by the Australian Institute for Non-destructive Testing as
evidence of a person’s general knowledge of non-destructive testing techniques, e.g.
radiographic, ultrasonic testing etc.

* In course of preparation.

CONTENTS
Page
METHOD
1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
2 Referenced Documents . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
3 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
4 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
5 Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
6 Equipment and Accessories . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 4
7 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . .. 4
8 Measurements and Calculation . . .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 6
9 Test Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. 6

APPENDICES
A Typical Examples of Film Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
B Approximate Chord Lengths for Some Typical Pipe Sizes . . . . . . . . . 11

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AS 2452.1—1982
STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
Australian Standard
for
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING—DETERMINATION OF THICKNESS
PART 1—DETERMINATION OF WALL THICKNESS OF PIPE BY THE USE OF
RADIOGRAPHY
1 SCOPE. This standard sets out methods for the
determination of the wall thickness of pipes and small
fabricated vessels using X-ray or gamma-ray
radiography.
NOTES:
1. Under a given set of radiographic conditi ons, the accuracy of
the methods specif ied herein is reduced with decreasing wall
thickness and with increasing pipe or vessel diameter.
2. The methods specif ied herein are more accurate when a pipe
is empty.
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS. The following
documents are referred to in this standard:
AS 1238 Preferred (Soft Metric) Sizes of Steel
Pipes
AS 1929 Non-destructive Testing—Glossary of
Terms
Code of Practice for the Control and Safe
Handling of Sealed Radioactive Sources
Used in Industrial Radiography*
3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Exposure of any part
of the human body to ionizing radiation can be
injurious. It is therefore essential that when X-ray
equipment or radioactive sources are being used
adequate precautions be taken to protect testing
personnel and any other persons in the vicinity.
NOTE: The use of radioacti ve substances and irr adiati ng
apparatus is controll ed by vari ous Statutory Regulations.
Reference should also be made to the ‘Code of Practi ce for the
Control and Safe Handli ng of Sealed Radioactive Sources Used
in Industri al Radiography’.
4 DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this
standard, the terms and definitions given in AS 1929
apply.
5 PRINCIPLE. An image of the tangential section
of a pipe produced on a radiographic film positioned
with its plane approximately normal to the path of the
beam of radiation on the opposite side. The wall
thickness of the pipe at the point which is tangential
to the beam is determined from the resultant film
images by the use of appropriate formulas.
6 EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES.
6.1 Radiation Source. Either X-ray or gamma-ray
sources of radiation may be used. The choice is
dependent upon the ability of the radiation beam to
penetrate the material and produce satisfactory film
image contrast in a reasonable period of time.
6.2 Screens. Screens (lead foil) are necessary when
using tube voltages above 120 kV and when using
gamma-rays to reduce exposure time and effects of
scatter.
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4
6.3 Identification of Radiographs. Each radiograph
shall be identifiable with the corresponding area of
interest under test. Markers in the form of lead
arrows, or other symbols shall be used. They shall be
placed on the film away from the area of interest.
6.4 Film Type. The accuracy of image measurement
is increased by low unsharpness values with fine
grain film, low radiation energies and small diameter
radiation source.
Typical examples of film types are given in
Appendix A.
7 PROCEDURE.
7.1 General.
7.1.1 Arrangement. The radiation source, the area of
interest and the radiographic film shall be arranged in
accordance with the method chosen (see Figs 1 to 6).
NOTE: Vibrati on can effect the sharpness of the image.
7.1.2 Source-to-object distance. The distance of the
radiation source to the edge of the area of interest
should preferably be not less than 5 times the
distance of the tangent point to the plane of the film.
This ratio should be increased proportionately with
sources larger than 2 mm.
7.1.3 Exposure for steel. Exposure should be
selected to produce a film image of the area of
interest which can be satisfactorily measured.
Consequently it is not necessary to achieve the
radiographic density levels used for the detection of
discontinuities in normal radiography.
NOTE: Exposure chart s (see Figs 7 and 8) are provided for steel
using the following sources of radiati on:
(a) Ir 192.
(b) Co 60 .
These charts give exposures which have been found by
experi ence for the various chord lengths of a range of sizes of
steel pipe. An alt ernati ve procedure involves the use of
conventi onal exposure chart s (pipe thickness vs exposure)
prepared for the type of radiati on source it is proposed to use.
Dimensions of chord lengths for typical pipe sizes are given in
Appendix B.
7.1.4 Radiographic equivalence factors. Exposures
for materials other than steel may be calculated by
multiplying the section thickness by the Radiographic
Equivalence Factor (Table 1) and referring to the
appropriate exposure curve for steel.
7.1.5 Film processing. Normal film processing shall
be carried out in accordance with the instructions of
the film manufacturer.
* Issued by the National Healt h and Medical Research Council,
Canberra.
 5 AS 2452.1—1982

7.2 Method No 1. 7.4.2 Procedure .

7.2.1 Application. This method is suitable for use on
unlagged piping up to 300 mm in diameter where the
pipe axis can be aligned with the source.
7.2.2 Procedure .
(a) Estimate minimum film size required from pipe
diameter and source-to-film distance.
(b) Position the cassette so that axis of the beam of
radiation is normal to the plane of the cassette
through the centre of the pipe (see Fig. 1).
(c) Make the exposure and measure the image m of
the wall thickness.
(d) Calculate wall thickness t according to formula
(see Fig. 1).
7.3 Method No 2.
7.3.1 Application. This method is suitable for use on
unlagged piping of all dimensions. In this method the
beam is normal to the film on one side but is offset
from the pipe axis.
7.3.2 Procedure .
(a) Estimate the minimum film size required from
the pipe diameter and from the estimated wall
thickness.
(b) Arrange the source in the offset position so that
the angle of the beam of radiation approximately
bisects the wall thickness t to be measured.
NOTE: The beam may be posit ioned on eit her side, as
requir ed.
(c) Position the cassette so that the angle of the
beam of radiation is at right-angles to the plane
of the cassette (see Fig. 2).
(d) Make the exposure and measure the image m of
the wall thickness.
(e) Calculate t according to formula relevant to the
beam angle (see Fig. 2).
7.4 Method No 3.
7.4.1 Application. This method is suitable for use on
lagged piping where the diameter of the pipe and its
position within the lagging is known.
NOTE: The method may also be used on unlagged piping.
(a) Estimate the minimum film size required from
the pipe diameter and from the thickness of the
lagging.
(b) Arrange the source in the offset position. Let the
distance from the centreline through the pipe
equal h.
(c) Position the cassette so that the plane of the film
is normal to the centreline through the pipe (see
Fig. 3).
(d) Make the exposure and measure the image m of
the wall thickness.
(e) Calculate wall thickness t according to formula
(see Fig. 3).
7.5 Method No 4.
7.5.1 Application. Suitable for use on lagged piping
where the pipe diameter and its position within the
lagging is unknown.
7.5.2 Procedure .
(a) Position the cassette so that it is held on a radius
equivalent to the distance from the source to the
film b (see Fig. 4).
(b) Measure b and outside diameter DL over the
lagging.
(c) Make the exposure and measure the image m of
the wall thickness.
(d) Calculate wall thickness t according to formula
(see Fig. 4).
7.6 Method No 5.
7.6.1 Application. This method is suitable for use on
small piping.
7.6.2 Procedure .
(a) Measure outside diameter of pipe D.
(b) Position to cassette so that it is held on a
suitable radius from the source (see Fig. 5).
(c) Make the exposure and measure the width of the
diametral image D i and the image m of the wall
thickness.
(d) Calculate wall thickness t according to formula
(see Fig. 5).

TABLE 1
APPROXIMATE RADIOGRAPHIC EQUIVALENCE FACTORS RELATIVE
TO STEEL
X-rays Gamma-rays
Material 100 140 220 250 Co 60 Cs137 Ir 192 Yb 169
kV kV kV kV
Aluminium (1100) 0.08 0.12 0.18 — 0.35 0.35 0.35 —
Aluminium (2024) 0.12 0.13 0.14 — 0.35 0.35 0.35 —
Carbon steel 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Stainless steel (18-8) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Copper 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.3
Monel 1.7 1.5 1.2 — — — — —
Lead — 14.0 11.0 — 2.3 3.2 4.0 7.0
Titanium — — 0.54 — 0.9 — 0.9 —
Concrete 0.09* — — 0.16* 0.25* — 0.25* —

* Esti mated values.

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AS 2452.1—1982 6

7.7 Method No 6. 8.2 Calculation. The actual wall thickness shall be

7.7.1 Application. This method is suitable as a calculated using the appropriate formula for the
routine method where appropriate bar clamps can be arrangement used (see Clause 6).
fabricated observing the constraints of the method. 9 TEST REPORT. The test report shall include the
7.7.2 Procedure . following information:
(a) Position cassettes in holders on ends of square (a) Identification of the radiographic laboratory.
bars. Slip over pipe as shown. Use spring clamp (b) Product identification or job description,
to firmly hold device (see Fig. 6). including material and nominal pipe or vessel
NOTE: Posit ion clamp so as not to interf ere wit h li ne of sight diameter and location.
of the beam.
(c) Radiation source.
(b) Adjust the bar clamp so that both cassette
holders are in contact with the pipe, and the (d) Film type, exposure, and, if applicable, the
source holder is 5 times pipe diameter from relevant exposure-value.
films. (e) Source-to-object distance and source-to-film
(c) Make the exposure and measure the image m of distance.
the wall thickness. (f) The method and exposure geometry used.
(d) Calculate wall thickness t according to formula (g) Chord length, in millimetres.
(see Fig. 6).
(h) Wall thickness, as measured on the radiographic
NOTE: In practice no corr ecti on is generall y necessary. film, in millimetres.
8 MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATION. (j) Calculated wall thickness, in millimetres
8.1 Measurement. The image of the thickness of (k) Reference number of this Australian standard, i.e
the area of interest shown on the radiograph shall be AS 2452.2.
measured using any means appropriate to the order of
accuracy required. (l) Report number and date.

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 7 AS 2452.1—1982

Fig. 1. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 1

Fig. 2. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 2

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AS 2452.1—1982 8

Fig. 3. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 3

Fig. 4. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 4

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 9 AS 2452.1—1982

Fig. 5. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 5

Fig. 6. AR RA NG EM EN TFOR ME THOD 6

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AS 2542.1—1982 10

APPENDIX A
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF FILM TYPES
(See Notes 1 and 6)

Type of fil m Manufacturer’s catalogue reference Fil m

designati on

Agfa-Gevaert REV* Kodak REV* Du Pont REV* GAF REV* Ferrania REV* SAA ASTM
Type Class

Ult ra fine grain, D2-SC 22 R-SC 15 35-SC 7.45

very high contrast (Note 2), 0† 1
very low speed (Note 3) D2 11 R 10.5 45 4.0 100 6.5 Sigma 5.5

Very fine grain,

very high contrast, D4 3.35 M 3.5 55 2.0 400 1.9 Gamma 2.7 1 1
low speed

Fine grain, D5 (Note 4) 1.85 T (Note 4) 1.9 65 (Note 4) 1.35 Delta 1.8
high contrast, 70 1.0 2 2
medium speed D7 1.0 A 1.0 75 0.8 800 1.0 Lambda 0.7
Medium grain,
medium contrast, D10 0.33 D 0.4 Industr ial C 0.75 Tau 0.27 3 3
high speed

Very high speed RCF 0.09 91 0.4 HR 2000 4 4

(Note 5) Curix

* Relative Exposure Values.

† May be regarded as Type 1 fil ms, but wit h fi ner grain and slower speed.
NOTES:
1. Other brands and types of fil ms are avail able and can be used, provided that the fi lm type designation has
been established.
2. The contrast rati ng of the single coated (SC) fi lms may not be as li sted, depending on manufacturer.
3. The speed rati ng of the single coated (SC) fil ms are generall y slower than the double coated type.
4. Generally regarded as Type 2 fi lms, but wit h fi ner grain, higher contr ast, slower speed.
5. Fil m propert ies are determined by the fi lm-screen combination used.
6. The relati ve exposure values shown after fi lm listi ngs are approximate only; the actual values will
depend upon the energy used and upon processing detail s.

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 11 AS 2452.1—1982

APPENDIX B
APPROXIMATE CHORD LENGTHS FOR SOME TYPICAL PIPE
SIZES
Standard (STD)
X-Strong (XS)
XX-Strong (XXS)
Nominal Outside Pipe Wall Approximate
pipe diameter schedule thickness chord
size* or strength length†
mm mm mm mm
19.1 26.67 40, STD 2.87 17
(3/4) 80, XS 3.91 19
160 5.41 21
XXS 7.82 24
25 33.4 40, STD 3.38 20
(1) 80, XS 4.55 23
160 6.35 26
XXS 9.09 30
50.8 60.3 40, STD 3.91 30
(2) 80, XS 5.54 35
160 8.74 42
XXS 11.07 47
76.2 88.9 40, STD 5.49 43
(3) 80, XS 7.62 50
160 11.13 59
XXS 15.24 67
101.6 114.3 40, STD 6.02 51
(4) 80, XS 8.56 60
120 11.13 68
160 13.49 74
XXS 17.12 82
127 141.3 40, STD 6.55 60
(5) 80, XS 9.53 71
120 12.70 81
160 15.88 89
XXS 19.05 97
152.4 168.3 40, STD 7.11 68
(6) 80, XS 10.97 83
120 14.27 94
160 18.34 105
XXS 21.95 113
203.2 219.1 30 7.04 77
(8) 40, STD 8.18 83
60 10.31 93
80, XS 12.70 102
XXS 22.23 132
254 273.1 30 7.8 91
(10) 40, STD 9.27 99
60, XS 12.70 115
80 15.06 125
304.8 323.9 30 8.38 103
(12) STD 9.53 109
40 10.31 114
XS 12.70 126
60 14.27 133
80 17.45 146
355.6 355.6 20 7.92 105
(14) 30, STD 9.53 115
40 11.13 124
XS 12.70 132
60 15.06 143
80 19.05 160
406.4 406.4 20 7.92 112
(16) 30, STD 9.53 123
40, XS 12.70 141
60 16.66 161
80 21.41 182
continued
* AS 1238 fi gures included in brackets refer to imperial inch measurements; they have been included for
convenience of use of the table.
† Rounded to nearest mill imetre.

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AS 2452.1—1982 12

Nominal Outside Pipe Wall Approximate

pipe diameter schedule thickness chord
size* or strength length†
mm mm mm mm
457.2 457.2 20 7.93 119
(18) STD 9.52 131
30 11.13 141
XS 12.70 150
40 14.27 161
60 19.05 183
80 23.82 203
508 508 10 6.35 113
(20) 20, STD 9.53 138
30, XS 12.70 159
40 15.06 172
60 20.62 200
80 26.19 225
558.8 558.8 STD 9.53 145
(22) XS 12.70 167
609.6 609.6 10 6.35 124
(24) 20, STD 9.53 151
XS 12.70 174
30 14.27 184
40 17.45 203
60 24.59 240
660.4 660.4 STD 9.53 158
(26) XS 12.70 181
762 762 10 7.92 155
(30) STD 9.53 169
20, XS 12.70 195
30 15.88 218
914.4 914.4 STD 9.53 186
(36) XS 12.70 214
965.2 965.2 STD 9.53 191
(38) XS 12.70 220
1016 1016 STD 9.53 196
(40) XS 12.70 226
1066.8 1066.8 STD 9.53 201
(42) XS 12.70 231
1117.6 1117.6 STD 9.53 206
(44) XS 12.70 237
1168.4 1168.4 STD 9.53 210
(46) XS 12.70 242
1219.2 1219.2 STD 9.53 215
(48) XS 12.70 248

* AS 1238 fi gures included in brackets refer to imperi al inch measurements; they have been included for
convenience of use of the table.
† Rounded to nearest mill imetre.

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 13 AS 2452.1—1982

Fig. 7. EX PO SU RE CH AR T—IRIDIUM 192, FOR STEEL US ING FILM RE V-1

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AS 2452.1—1982 14

Fig. 8. EX PO SU RE CH AR T FOR COB ALT 60 FOR STEE L USING FILM RE V-1

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