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RADIOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING PROCEDURE

Document No: ASME/NDT/RT/P/02

Quality Management Department

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CERTIFICATE

We hereby certify that this NDE Procedure No. ASME/NDT/RT/P/02, Revision2, Radiographic
Film processing Procedure meets the requirements of ASME Code Section V, T-150. (2017
Edition).

Prepared & Approved by Certified by

_____________________ __________ _____________________ __________

NDE Level III Date IC QA/QC Date

Reviewed by:

Authorized Inspector Date

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................... 4

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................................... 4

3. CLEANLINESS AND FILM HANDLING.......................................................................................... 4

4. PROTECTION AND CARE OF UNEXPOSED/UNPROCESSED FILMS.......................................4

5. CHEMICAL MIXING........................................................................................................................ 5

6. STORAGE OF SOLUTIONS……..…………………………………………..……………………………5

7. FILM PROCESSING………….……………………………………………………………………….......6

8. WASHING………………......………………………………………………………….…………….……6

9. DRYING……………………….…………………………………………………………………………...7

10. RECORDS……………………….………………………………………………………………………...7

11. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DARKROOM TECHNICIAN……………………………...7

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1.0 SCOPE
This procedure provides the general requirements for processing of radiographic exposed films.
2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Personnel Qualifications
2.1.1 The examiner shall have been qualified in accordance with Written Practice No.
ASME/NDT/WP/01-01 which meets the requirements of the ASNT recommended
practice SNT-TC-IA (2006 Edition) and certified as NDE Level I or Level II in the
Radiographic Examination method. Interpretation of Radiograph shall be performed
only by Level II RT.
2.1.2 The examiner shall have an annual vision test, with correction if necessary and be
able to read a minimum of Jaeger type No. 2 or equivalent type and size letter at a
distance of not less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) on a standard Jaeger test chart. He
should be capable of distinguishing and differentiating contrast among color or
shades of gray used in the RT.
2.1.3 Near Vision Acuity is administrated annually and color contrast differentiation is
administered annually.
3.0 CLEANLINESS AND FILM HANDLING
3
3.1 Cleanliness is one of the most important requirements for good radiography. Casettes and
screens must be kept clean, not only because dirt retained may cause exposure or
processing artifacts in the radiographs, but because such dirt may also be transferred to the
loading bench and subsequently to other films or screens.
 The surface of the loading bench must be kept clean.
 Films should be handled only at their edges, and with dry, clean hands to avoid
finger marks on the film surfaces
 Sharp bending, excessive pressure, and rough handling must be avoided.
4.0 PROTECTION AND CARE OF UNEXPOSED/UNPROCESSED FILMS
4
4.1 Unexposed films should be stored in such a manner that they are protected from the effects
of light, pressure, excessive heat and humidity, damaging fumes or vapours, or radiation.
Storage of films should be on a “First in, First out” basis (FIFO).
4.2 Films should be handled under safelight conditions.
4.3 Never stack a large number of films in a single pile to avoid pressure marks.
4.4 Avoid drawing film rapidly out of a carton or cassettes, which may cause bird foot shaped
black marks due to static electric discharges.

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4.5 Ready pack roll films should be properly sealed with black tape in the darkroom and the
tape should extend beyond the edges of the strip atleast 8 to 13 mm to provide tight seal.
4.6 Films could be fogged if left between lead foil screens longer than is necessary, particularly
under high temperature and humid conditions.

5.0 CHEMICAL MIXING

5
5.1 Tanks for processing solution should be made of glass, hard rubber, PVC, enamelled steel
or stainless steel. Contact with materials such as tin, copper, steel, brass, aluminium or zinc
should be avoided with processing solutions. These materials can cause solution
contamination that may result in film fogging or rapid oxidation.
5.2 Do not mix powdered chemicals in processor tanks, since undissolved particles may be left
in the corners of the tank. Mix solutions in separate containers made from materials as
specified.
5.3 Start with the correct volume of water at the temperature specified and add chemicals in
order as listed.
5.4 Distilled or filtered clean water supply should be used.
5.5 Mark the volume levels if large tanks are used for mixing to be certain of volumes.
5.6 When mixing any chemical, protect nearby tank solutions with floating lids and dust covers.
5.7 Processing hangers and tanks should be free of corrosion and chemical deposits.
Encrusted deposits that accumulate on tanks, trays and processing hangers and that are
difficult to remove by cleaning can be removed by using cleaning agents as recommended.
6.0 STORAGE OF SOLUTIONS
6
6.1 In Original Containers
Follow the manufacturer’s storage and capacity recommendations package with the
chemicals. Do not use chemicals that have been stored longer than recommended.
6.2 In Process Tanks
Wherever possible protect solutions in tanks with floating lids and dust covers. In addition to
preventing contaminants from entering solutions, floating lids and dust covers help to
minimize oxidation and evaporation from the surface of the solutions.
6.3 Store replenisher solutions for small volume operations in airtight containers. The cap of
these containers should be free of corrosion and foreign particles.
6.4 Temperature

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Store all solutions at room temperature, between 40 to 80°F. Storing solutions, particularly
developer, at elevated temperatures can produce rapid oxidation resulting in loss of activity
and a tendency to stain the films. Storage at too low a temperature can cause some
solution to crystallize, and the crystals may not dissolve.
6.5 Deterioration
Chemicals can deteriorate either with age or with usage. Manufacturer’s recommendations
for storage and useful capacity should be followed. Discard processing solutions when the
recommended number of films has been processed or the recommended storage life of the
prepared solution has been reached.

6.6 Contamination
Ensure all liquid chemicals are kept in airtight containers. Do not interchange the tops of
one container with another. Clearly label the storage tanks with the solution that they
contain and use that container only with that solution.
7.0 FILM PROCESSING
7
7.1 To produce a satisfactory radiograph, the care used in making the exposure must be
followed by equal care in processing. The most careful radiographic techniques will be
insignificant by incorrect or improper darkroom procedures.
7.2 Follow the temperature recommendations from the film or solution manufacturer and check
thermometers. Check thermometers periodically to be sure that the process temperatures
are correct. Process temperatures should be checked at least once per shift. Keep the
temperature of the stop bath, fixer and wash water within + 5°F of the developer solution.
7.3 Films should be handled carefully during the processing cycle and adequate time should be
allowed for the film to drain sufficiently before transferring it to the next solution.
7.4 The basic steps in processing are development, Stop Bath, fixation, washing and drying.
7.4.1 Development – Solution should be stirred before the start of developing of films.
Films loaded on hangers should be placed at ½ in. (12.7mm) in the developer
tanks and agitated in two directions for about 15 sec. Normal development is 5 to 8
min at 68°F (20°C). The development time must be changed whenever the
temperature is higher or lower.
7.4.2 Agitation – Shake the films for a few seconds for each minute during the
development, which will help develop evenly and will remove any air bubbles
sticking on to the film.

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7.4.3 Stop Bath or Rinse – After development is complete, the activity of developer
remaining on the film emulsion should be neutralised by an acid stop bath.
7.4.4 Fixing – Agitate the films in fixer solution for 10 sec at the end of first minute to
ensure uniform and rapid fixation. The films should be kept in fixer for nearly twice
the development time but not more than 15 min. frequent agitation in fixer solution
should be avoided as it will shorten the time of fixation. Also care should be taken
that no films touch each other.
8.0 WASHING
8
8.1 Proper washing is necessary to remove residual fixer from the film. If not removed from the
film, these chemicals will cause subsequent damage (staining) and deterioration of the
radiographic image.
8.2 If physical examination of the films after washing shows dirt that was not present before
washing, the washing tanks should be drained and cleaned.
8.3 Drain wash tanks whenever they are not being used.
8.4 In order to minimize washing artifacts it is recommended that waste films be processed at
start up to clear out foreign material.
8.5 When washing at temperatures above 85°F (30°C) care should be taken not to leave films
in the water for too long.
8.6 The films should be washed in batches without contamination brought in from new film
brought over from the fixer.
8.7 Wetting Agent – Dipping the film in a wetting agent for approx 30 sec each minute during
the development will help film develop evenly.
9.0 DRYING
9
9.1 Make sure the dryer is clean and that no foreign material has settled on the rollers.
Routinely examine the ventilation system to ensure that air paths are not blocked and that
films are uniformly dried. The recommended heat setting should be followed as described.
9.2 Processing six consecutive production films can test the dryer efficiency and examining
them after the drying cycle is complete. If damp or undried areas are observed, increase
the dryer temperature. Should an increase in temperature not dry the film, retest the fixer
activity.
9.3 During drying, visually examine the films to determine the length of time required for
sufficient drying.
9.4 Follow time-temperature recommendations as described.

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9.5 Too hot a drying temperature at low humidity can result in uneven drying and should be
avoided.
10.0 RECORDS
10
10.1 Accurate records should be kept of the following items:
 Brand names and Batch number of chemicals used.
 Time of development.
 Temperature of processing chemicals.
 Date new chemicals were placed in use.
 Replenishment rates.
11.0 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DARKROOM TECHNICIAN
11
11.1 Inspect the darkroom at the beginning and end of each shift or workday. Clean up and put
things in their places. Make sure adequate supplies are on hand for each day’s workload.
11.2 Any light coming from outside is just as bad as stray radiation and must be avoided.
Possible sources of light leakages are doors, keyholes, windows, joints in walls and
partitions. To monitor any stray lights, enter the darkroom, shut off all the lights and allow
your eyes to adjust for 15 minutes. Move around looking for light leaks. Correct any leaks
and reinspect.
11.3 Collection of exposed films from site for processing.
11.4 Processing and drying of films.
11.5 Place the dried films into wrappers and write the weld identification.
11.6 Load the films for the next day’s activity.
11.7 Ensure that darkroom and workbench is clean prior to leaving the site.

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