PNAE G-7-017-89 PDF

Full title and description

Designation: PNAE G-7-017-89 — "Unified control methods for basic materials (semi-finished materials), welded joints and welding on of equipment and pipelines of nuclear power plants. Radiographic examination" (Russian: ПНАЭ Г-7-017-89). This document provides standardized procedures for radiographic (X‑ray, gamma and bremsstrahlung) examination of welds, surfacings and base materials used in nuclear power plant equipment and piping.

Abstract

PNAE G-7-017-89 defines radiographic testing methods, acceptance sensitivity requirements, imaging and film-handling practices, interpretation criteria and metrological provisions for radiographic control of welds and overlay (surfacing) on equipment and pipelines of atomic energy installations. It is aimed at ensuring reliable detection of discontinuities (cracks, lack of fusion, porosity, inclusions and other volumetric and planar defects) for components whose radiographic (equivalent) thicknesses are within the method’s applicability limits.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / not in force for current regulatory application; superseded by a later unified national standard (see Related standards).
• Publication date: Issued 1989 (designation year) — introduced into force 1 July 1990.
• Publisher: Approved and issued under the authority of the State nuclear supervision body of the USSR (Госатомэнергонадзор СССР) / published as part of the PNAE (nuclear safety guidance) series.
• ICS / categories: 19.100 (Non‑destructive testing); 27.120 (Nuclear energy engineering / nuclear power plants and safety); 13.280 (Radiation protection — related aspects).
• Edition / version: Original PNAE designation 1989 (single edition); formally introduced 1990. (A later GOST replacement consolidates/updates these procedures.)
• Number of pages: Approximately 23 pages (typical published copy).

Scope

The method covers radiographic control of base materials (semi‑finished products), welded joints and surfacings (weld overlay) of equipment and pipelines for nuclear power installations. It applies to radiographic thicknesses up to about 400 mm and to examinations performed using penetrating radiations — X‑ray, gamma sources and bremsstrahlung from electron accelerators — on radiographic film. The document sets out when radiographic testing is applicable within the broader PNAE G‑7 series of welding and control rules.

Key topics and requirements

• Permitted radiographic methods and radiation types (X‑ray, isotope gamma, bremsstrahlung from accelerators) and applicability limits (radiographic thickness up to ≈400 mm).
• Sensitivity requirements (groove and wire sensitivity gauges), minimum/maximum optical density ranges for acceptable images and procedures for determining control sensitivity from reference images.
• Requirements for film handling, storage and processing (temperature/humidity ranges, separation from chemicals and radioactive sources, archiving and destruction rules for radiographs).
• Equipment and metrological provisions: densitometers, negatoscopes and measuring aids — calibration, verification intervals and documentation of measurement equipment.
• Rules for interpretation and reporting of radiographs, including special provisions for examinations performed in the presence of background radiation and how to compensate for photographic veil caused by radiation background.
• Cases where radiographic control may be omitted or supplemented by other NDT methods (criteria for replacement or combination of methods).

Typical use and users

Primary users are nuclear industry NDT practitioners, welding and metallurgical engineers, QA/QC departments of manufacturers and fabricators of nuclear equipment, plant inspection teams, and regulatory/oversight organizations involved in nuclear plant construction, commissioning and in‑service inspection. It is used as a technical procedure reference for radiographic inspection planning, execution and interpretation within nuclear projects that reference PNAE series documents.

Related standards

PNAE G-7-017-89 belongs to the PNAE G‑7 family (welding and control of equipment and pipelines). Many PNAE G‑7 documents were later replaced or consolidated into GOST R series standards issued in 2018; radiographic unified procedures were incorporated into GOST R 50.05.07‑2018 (Conformity assessment system in the field of use of nuclear energy — Unified procedures — Radiographic examination). Other related PNAE/GOST replacements include the complementary NDT method standards in the GOST R 50.05.xx‑2018 set.

Keywords

PNAE G‑7‑017‑89; radiographic control; radiography; weld inspection; non‑destructive testing (NDT); nuclear power plants; radiographic film; optical density; sensitivity gauges; X‑ray; gamma; bremsstrahlung; ГОСТ R 50.05.07‑2018.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: PNAE G‑7‑017‑89 is a PNAE (nuclear safety guidance) document that specifies unified radiographic examination methods and procedures for base materials, welded joints and overlay welds used in equipment and piping of nuclear power installations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers radiographic test methods (X‑ray, gamma and accelerator bremsstrahlung), applicable thickness ranges (up to ~400 mm radiographic thickness), sensitivity and image quality requirements, film handling and processing, equipment calibration and interpretation/reporting rules.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians and supervisors, welding and metallurgical engineers, QA/QC teams at fabricators and nuclear plant operators, and regulatory inspectors responsible for ensuring weld integrity in nuclear installations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: PNAE G‑7‑017‑89 has been superseded in the Russian regulatory/standardization system by updated GOST R documents; radiographic unified procedures are covered by GOST R 50.05.07‑2018. The PNAE G‑7 series items were declared not to be applied as normative documents for contemporary regulatory practice in the process of transition to the GOST/NP/other national documents. Users should follow the current national/regulatory standard cited by their authority (e.g., GOST R 50.05.07‑2018 in Russia) where applicable.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the PNAE G‑7 set of documents addressing welding, surfacing and control of equipment and pipelines for atomic energy installations (other related items include PNAE G‑7‑009‑89, G‑7‑010‑89, G‑7‑014‑89, G‑7‑015‑89, G‑7‑016‑89, G‑7‑018‑89, G‑7‑019‑89, etc.), many of which were later replaced or harmonized into the GOST R 50.05.xx‑2018 series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Radiographic control; radiography; weld inspection; NDT; nuclear power plant equipment; radiographic film; optical density; sensitivity; PNAE; GOST R 50.05.07‑2018.