ASTM E2737-23 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Practice for Digital Detector Array Performance Evaluation and Long-Term Stability — a practice that specifies baseline and periodic tests, gages and procedures to evaluate the performance and monitor the long‑term stability of Digital Detector Array (DDA) systems used in industrial radiography.

Abstract

This practice defines fundamental performance parameters, required test objects/gages and test procedures to establish a baseline for a DDA upon acceptance and to perform periodic performance checks during service life. It is intended to detect performance degradation (for example changes in SNR, spatial resolution, bad‑pixel growth, contrast sensitivity) and to indicate when corrective action is needed to retain acceptable image quality for nondestructive testing (NDT) applications.

General information

• Status: Active practice / current designation E2737‑23.
• Publication date: 1 July 2023.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 (Radiographic equipment / NDT imaging).
• Edition / version: Designation E2737‑23 (2023 revision of the practice).
• Number of pages: 18 pages (approx.).

Scope

This practice covers baseline acceptance evaluation and periodic performance monitoring of Digital Detector Array (DDA) systems used for industrial radiography. It specifies which detector/system metrics to measure (for example normalized SNR, basic spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, bad pixel characterization, and achievable material thickness range), mandates use of the specified gages/phantoms for repeatability, and sets the framework for identifying meaningful degradation and triggering corrective action or recalibration.

Key topics and requirements

• Establishing a baseline performance record on acceptance (initial characterization tests).
• Periodic monitoring procedures to track long‑term stability and detect degradation.
• Quantitative metrics: normalized SNR, basic spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, image lag, bad‑pixel mapping and distribution.
• Specified test phantoms/gages (duplex plate phantom, five‑groove wedge and other image quality indicators) required for repeatable measurements.
• Procedures to determine material thickness ranges and achievable contrast for given detector/beam combinations.
• Guidance on when to take corrective action based on measured changes from baseline.

Typical use and users

Used by NDT practitioners, inspection laboratories, radiographic system integrators, quality/assurance engineers and detector manufacturers. Typical applications include acceptance testing of new DDA systems, routine performance checks in production/field inspection programs, and long‑term quality assurance programs where consistent image quality is required for reliable defect detection.

Related standards

This practice is intended to be used alongside other DDA standards and guides such as Practice E2597 (Manufacturing characterization of DDAs), Guide E2736 (user guide for DDA radiography) and related DICONDE/Digital imaging practices; those documents cover detector characterization, selection guidance and complementary test methods referenced by E2737 for a complete DDA quality program.

Keywords

Digital Detector Array (DDA), digital radiography, long‑term stability, baseline performance, SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, bad pixels, duplex plate phantom, five‑groove wedge, material thickness range, NDT.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2737‑23 is a Standard Practice that specifies test procedures and gages for establishing baseline performance and monitoring the long‑term stability of Digital Detector Array systems used in industrial radiography.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers baseline acceptance tests and periodic performance checks including measurements of normalized SNR, basic spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, bad‑pixel behavior, and use of prescribed phantoms/gages to ensure repeatable, comparable results over the detector lifetime.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Nondestructive testing (NDT) practitioners, inspection labs, detector/manufacturer test teams, system integrators and QA personnel responsible for radiographic imaging quality and traceability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the 2023 designation (E2737‑23) and is presented as the current practice published 1 July 2023. Users should verify they hold the latest revision via their standards subscription or ASTM for updates or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — E2737 is part of a family of DDA standards and guides (for example E2597, E2698 and Guide E2736) that together provide detector characterization, user guidance and test methods for digital radiography in NDT.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include DDA, digital detector array, SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, bad pixels, phantom, duplex plate, five‑groove wedge, NDT, radiography, long‑term stability.