What is the primary purpose of filters used at the port of the X-ray tube?

The primary purpose of filters used at the port of the X-ray tube is to filter out "soft" radiation. In the context of radiographic testing, "soft" radiation refers to lower-energy X-ray photons that do not contribute effectively to image formation and may be absorbed by the patient rather than penetrating the object being inspected. By removing these lower-energy photons, filters improve the quality of the X-ray beam, allowing higher-energy, more penetrating photons to pass through and reach the film or detector. This leads to a clearer image with better contrast, as the filtered beam is more capable of providing the necessary information about the internal structure of the material being examined.

Proper filtering is essential to enhance the overall quality of radiographic images and to optimize the radiographic process by ensuring that the most useful radiation is being utilized. This contributes to more accurate evaluations during inspections while also minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure to the subject.