ASNT Radiographic Testing Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The term that describes a material's ability to block or partially block x-rays and gamma rays is absorption. In the context of radiographic testing, absorption refers to the extent to which a material can take in or attenuate radiation as it passes through. Different materials have varying levels of density and atomic composition, which influence their absorption characteristics. For instance, denser materials typically absorb more radiation, reducing the amount of radiation that can pass through them and reach the detector.

Understanding absorption is crucial in radiographic testing because it directly impacts image quality and the detection of flaws within the material. When radiation encounters a material, some of it is absorbed, while some may be transmitted or scattered. This principle is used to create contrast in radiographic images, allowing for the identification of defects such as cracks, voids, or inclusions based on the differences in absorption.

Ductility, radiation scattering, and conductivity refer to entirely different physical properties and phenomena, and do not specifically relate to the blocking or attenuation of x-rays and gamma rays.