DISCUSSION ON ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS FOR FILM RADIOGRAPHY

Film radiography is a well-established NDT technique and an accepted m ethod for quality assurance. Recently, so-called new developments have been introduced to the market as alternatives for film radiography. E xamples are fluorescent screen/film systems, cost containment films, w ide-latitude films and storage phosphor plate systems. The authors hav e evaluated these systems and their applicability for NDT, taking into account factors such as sensitivity (image quality), speed handling, portability, reliability. In this paper the value and applicability fo r the NDT market of two of these methods, namely fluorescent screen sy stems and storage phosphor plates, are discussed, in comparison with c onventional film techniques. Both technologies have been developed and are available within Agfa-Gevaert, therefore we can overview all aspe cts for the for Agfa strategic NDT market and discuss Agfa's strategy regarding these technologies; the conclusion is that all that is new i s not necessarily beautiful!.