ASTM E747-97 Set B Wire Type Penetrameter

2 in Stainless Steel / Ferrous Wire Image Quality Indicator (IQI), Set B, for Industrial Radiographic Testing
SKU: IQI1B

Overview

The IQI1B is an ASTM E747-97 Set B wire-type penetrameter, also known as a wire Image Quality Indicator (IQI), designed for verifying radiographic image quality and sensitivity during industrial X-ray and gamma-ray inspection.

This configuration uses stainless steel / ferrous (SS/FE) wires and is intended for radiographic inspection of compatible ferrous materials. The precision wire elements provide a known dimensional reference that allows radiographers to determine whether the required level of image quality has been achieved on the completed radiograph.

During exposure, the penetrameter is positioned according to the applicable radiographic procedure. After processing or image acquisition, the smallest required wire that remains visible is used as an indication of achieved radiographic sensitivity.

The 2 in configuration and ASTM Set B designation make SKU IQI1B suitable for professional weld inspection, fabrication QA/QC, pipeline radiography, pressure-vessel examination, casting inspection, and other industrial RT applications.

What's Included

Note: Radiographic film, digital detector, cassette, lead screens, identification markers, source equipment, and other radiography accessories are not included unless specified separately.

Box Dimensions & Shipping Weight (Estimated)

Actual shipping dimensions and weight may vary depending on protective case, labeling, and packaging configuration.

Key Specifications

Wire-Type IQI Configuration

Wire-type IQIs use a series of precision wires with progressively changing diameters.

The configuration allows the radiographer to:

• Establish a known image-quality reference

• Verify radiographic sensitivity

• Determine the smallest discernible wire

• Compare image quality against procedural requirements

• Confirm that exposure conditions provide adequate detail

• Document radiographic technique performance

The exact required visible wire is determined by the component thickness, governing specification, inspection technique, and applicable acceptance procedure.

How the Penetrameter Works

During radiographic inspection:

1. The correct IQI set and material group are selected.

2. The penetrameter is positioned on or adjacent to the component according to the applicable procedure.

3. The component and IQI are exposed using the selected X-ray or gamma-ray technique.

4. The resulting radiograph or digital image is evaluated.

5. Individual wires are examined for visibility.

6. The smallest required visible wire is used to verify that the required image-quality level has been achieved.

The IQI does not determine whether a component itself is acceptable or rejectable. It verifies that the radiographic technique has sufficient image quality to perform the required evaluation.

Performance Features

ASTM E747 Wire-Type Design
Designed around the wire-type IQI method specified for industrial radiographic image-quality evaluation.

Set B Configuration
Provides the wire-size range associated with ASTM Set B applications.

SS/FE Material Construction
Suitable for applicable stainless steel and ferrous-material radiography where the selected IQI material matches the inspection requirements.

Precision Wire Elements
Uses controlled wire dimensions to provide a repeatable radiographic sensitivity reference.

2 in Configuration
Compact size supports positioning on welds, plates, piping, vessels, and other industrial components.

Reusable Inspection Accessory
Can be used repeatedly when wires, identification, and protective construction remain undamaged and within applicable requirements.

Advantages of Wire-Type IQIs

Wire-type image quality indicators provide several practical advantages for industrial radiography:

• Easy visual determination of image quality

• Multiple sensitivity references in one IQI

• Suitable for film and compatible digital radiography

• Compact configuration

• Useful for weld and component inspection

• Supports standardized radiographic procedures

• Provides objective image-quality verification

• Suitable for field and laboratory use

• Reusable when properly protected and maintained

User-Friendly Design

• Compact 2 in configuration

• Multiple precision wires in one indicator

• Easy to position near the inspection area

• Suitable for conventional film radiography

• Compatible with applicable digital radiography workflows

• Clear Set B identification supports proper selection

• Portable for field radiography kits

• Suitable for repeated QA/QC inspections

• Requires no power or electronic interface

Built for Industrial Radiography

• Designed for professional NDT use

• Suitable for fabrication and welding inspection

• Practical for pipeline radiography

• Supports pressure-vessel examination

• Useful for structural and manufacturing QA/QC

• Suitable for X-ray and gamma-ray applications

• Can be integrated into documented radiographic procedures

• Supports permanent inspection records

• Intended for use by qualified radiographic personnel

Applicable Standard

The IQI is identified for use with:

ASTM E747-97 — Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiology

The applicable revision required by the customer's inspection procedure should always be verified before use.

Other codes and specifications may reference ASTM wire-type IQIs as part of their radiographic inspection requirements.

Material Compatibility

The SS/FE configuration is intended for use with suitable ferrous materials, subject to the governing inspection procedure.

Typical applications may involve:

• Carbon steel

• Stainless steel

• Low-alloy steel

• Ferrous weldments

• Ferrous castings

• Steel forgings

• Steel plate

• Steel piping

• Pressure components

The IQI material group should be selected according to the material being inspected and the requirements of the applicable code or procedure.

Ideal Applications

• Weld radiography

• Pipeline weld inspection

• Pressure-vessel radiography

• Structural steel inspection

• Storage-tank weld inspection

• Casting radiography

• Forging inspection

• Boiler component examination

• Fabrication QA/QC

• Manufacturing quality control

• Aerospace component radiography where applicable

• Power-generation component inspection

• X-ray radiographic testing

• Gamma-ray radiographic testing

• Radiographic procedure qualification

• Image-quality verification

Typical Inspection Workflow

The IQI can be incorporated into radiographic workflows involving:

• Source selection

• Source-to-object distance setup

• Film or detector placement

• IQI positioning

• Exposure calculation

• Radiographic exposure

• Film processing or digital image acquisition

• Density or image-quality evaluation

• Wire visibility assessment

• Indication interpretation

• Inspection documentation

The IQI should be positioned and interpreted according to the governing inspection procedure.

Placement Considerations

For reliable image-quality verification:

• Select the correct IQI material and Set designation

• Position the IQI according to the applicable code

• Place it as close as practical to the area of interest

• Use source-side placement when required

• Follow procedural requirements if film-side placement is necessary

• Ensure wire orientation meets the applicable inspection requirements

• Avoid positioning the IQI where component geometry could interfere with interpretation

• Clearly identify the IQI and its location on the radiograph

Incorrect placement can invalidate image-quality verification.

Inspection and Interpretation

When evaluating the completed radiograph:

• Confirm the IQI image is clearly visible

• Identify individual wire indications

• Determine the smallest wire that can be reliably resolved

• Compare the result with the required sensitivity

• Confirm applicable density or digital image-quality requirements

• Document the IQI used

• Record any required wire designation or sensitivity result

• Retain the radiograph or digital image according to the inspection procedure

Wire visibility should be evaluated by qualified personnel under appropriate viewing conditions.

Care and Handling

• Handle the IQI carefully to prevent wire deformation

• Avoid bending or crushing the penetrameter

• Keep the wire elements clean

• Do not grind, file, or modify individual wires

• Protect identification markings from damage

• Inspect the IQI before each use

• Remove contamination carefully when required

• Store flat in a protective case

• Keep separate from heavy or sharp tools

• Replace the IQI if wires become damaged, corroded, missing, or distorted

Damage to an individual wire may affect the validity of radiographic sensitivity evaluation.

Safety Considerations

The IQI itself does not produce radiation; however, it is intended for use during industrial radiographic testing.

When using the product:

• Radiographic exposures must be performed by trained and authorized personnel

• Establish appropriate radiation boundaries

• Use approved radiation survey instrumentation

• Wear required personal dosimetry

• Control access to the exposure area

• Follow source-handling procedures

• Verify the area is safe before retrieving the IQI

• Follow all applicable radiation-protection requirements and site procedures

About Wire Image Quality Indicators

Wire Image Quality Indicators are precision radiographic reference devices used to demonstrate the image quality achieved during industrial radiography. By providing multiple known wire diameters within a single indicator, they allow qualified inspectors to verify that an X-ray or gamma-ray image has sufficient sensitivity for the required examination.