ASTM E2736-17 (2022) PDF

Full title and description

St ASTM E2736-17 (Reapproved 2022) — Standard Guide for Digital Detector Array Radiography. A user guide and tutorial for selection, characterization, and use of digital detector array (DDA) systems for radiography; it explains definitions, performance parameters, representative quality indicators (RQIs), and how E2736 relates to companion DDA standards (not intended for computed radiography).

Abstract

This guide provides background and practical guidance to help end users, manufacturers, and integrators evaluate and select DDA imaging systems for nondestructive testing. It summarizes key performance metrics (SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, lag, internal scatter), recommended phantoms and measurement practices, and points to Practices E2597, E2698, and E2737 for manufacturer characterization, radiographic examination setup, and long‑term performance evaluation. The standard is a tutorial-style reference rather than a prescriptive test method.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (reapproved edition).
• Publication date: 30-Nov-2022 (reapproved 2022; current edition published/reapproved in 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 — Radiographic equipment (Nondestructive testing).
• Edition / version: E2736-17 (designation indicates 2017 revision; reapproved 2022, often shown as E2736-17(2022) or E2736-17R22).
• Number of pages: 26 pages.

Core bibliographic and status details above are taken from the ASTM document summary and standards catalog records.

Scope

Provides a user-oriented guide for selection and use of digital detector array systems (detector array plus imaging system) for digital radiography. The scope covers definitions, performance parameters and indicators, typical measurement geometries and phantoms, and how to interpret manufacturer characterization data; it explicitly excludes computed radiography apparatus and does not address all safety considerations (users must ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements). The guide is intended to support and explain the companion DDA practices E2597, E2698, and E2737.

Key topics and requirements

• Overview of Digital Detector Array (DDA) architecture and imaging system components.
• Performance metrics: signal‑to‑noise ratio (SNR), basic spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity (CSa), achievable contrast, and image lag.
• Representative Quality Indicators (RQIs), phantoms, and measurement methods to evaluate detector performance.
• Guidance on selecting DDAs for specific inspection applications using manufacturer characterization data (Practice E2597) and minimum setup requirements (Practice E2698).
• Recommendations for imaging geometry, magnification, viewing and storage of radiographs, and considerations for long‑term stability (linked to E2737).
• Notes on limitations: not a safety standard and not intended for computed radiography.

Typical use and users

Intended for nondestructive testing engineers, radiographic inspectors, procurement/specification engineers, system integrators, and DDA manufacturers. Common application sectors include aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, foundries and heavy fabrication where radiographic inspection is required and users must compare, select, or specify DDA equipment and acceptance criteria. The guide helps translate manufacturer performance data into practical selection and inspection decisions.

Related standards

Directly interrelated with and referenced to several ASTM NDT documents, especially: Practice E2597 (Manufacturing characterization of digital detector arrays), Practice E2698 (Radiographic examination using DDAs), and Practice E2737 (DDA performance evaluation and long‑term stability). Also references terminology and other radiography guides (for example E1316, E2002, and related reference image practices). These companion standards provide the prescriptive test methods and acceptance criteria that E2736 explains and contextualizes.

Keywords

Digital detector array, DDA, digital radiography, nondestructive testing, SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, image lag, phantoms, RQI, detector characterization, E2597, E2698, E2737, ASTM.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2736-17 (reapproved 2022) is a guide (tutorial-style document) that explains the concepts and performance indicators used to select and apply digital detector array radiography systems. It complements prescriptive Practices that define test methods and acceptance criteria.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers DDA system concepts, recommended quality indicators and phantoms, key image quality metrics (SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, lag), guidelines for interpreting manufacturer data, and how to use companion Practices for characterization, inspection setup, and stability testing. It does not replace safety or regulatory requirements and excludes computed radiography systems.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Nondestructive testing professionals, radiography program managers, inspection and quality engineers, DDA manufacturers and system integrators evaluating or specifying digital radiography equipment for industrial inspections.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the E2736-17 designation reapproved in 2022 (commonly shown as E2736-17(2022) or E2736-17R22). As of the reapproval it is a current guide; users should confirm the latest ASTM catalog entry for any subsequent revisions or supersessions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one of a set of DDA-related standards intended to work together: Practice E2597 (manufacturer characterization), Practice E2698 (radiographic examination using DDAs), and Practice E2737 (performance evaluation and long‑term stability). E2736 provides the explanatory guide linking these practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Digital detector array, DDA, digital radiography, image quality indicators, SNR, spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, lag, phantoms, nondestructive testing.