Industrial Radiography: Trends, Market Drivers, and Alternatives to Gamma-based Devices

Industrial radiography (IR) is a nondestructive testing (NDT) modality used in industries such as oil and gas, automotive, and aerospace. The technique is commonly used to evaluate the structural integrity and uniformity of materials and components, similar to how medical x rays are used to identify breaks in bones. IR employs highly penetrating ionizing radiation (gamma rays, x rays, or neutrons) to produce a visible record of the internal conditions of an object, thus identifying any imperfections or defects. In applications where portability and accessibility are essential, such as the inspection of oil and gas pipelines, radiographic cameras (IR cameras) are commonly used. These devices usually enclose a radioactive isotope and are designed to be portable, making them easy to transport from one location to another. However, their portability combined with the radioactivity of the isotopic sources gives rise to security implications, including the risk of theft or loss followed by some type of malicious use. Due to this security risk, the replacement of gamma-based IR cameras with other non-isotopic alternatives has been an active area of interest. Here we present findings from a recent study led by Sandia National Laboratories aimed at investigating the most effective pathway toward reducing the use of gamma-based IR cameras through their replacement with other non-isotopic alternatives. We begin with an overview of industrial radiography and the industrial radiography market, followed by an analysis of various NDT modalities to identify which would be an adequate alternative to gamma-based IR cameras. Lastly, we discuss lessons learned regarding current trends and market drivers from an industry engagement that was performed as part of this study.