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Advantages and disadvantages of artificial radioactive sources

In this article:

  • Artificial radioactive sources like cobalt-60, iridium-192, and selenium-75 are widely used in industrial radiography due to their high activity, compact size, and consistent radiation output.
  • Advantages include high radiation intensity, long shelf life, and the ability to tailor source characteristics for specific non-destructive testing (NDT) applications.
  • These sources are more practical than natural ones, offering better availability, easier handling, and compatibility with portable inspection equipment.
  • Disadvantages involve strict regulatory controls, potential safety risks, and the need for secure storage, transport, and disposal due to their radioactive nature.
  • Choosing the right artificial isotope depends on factors like material thickness, required image resolution, and operational safety requirements in industrial environments.

Advantages

1. require no electric power supply; easy to use in the field

2. can be obtained in a range of source diameters, so that if necessary a very short
source-to-film distance with a small diameter source can be used, for example,
for pipes of small diameter

3. a wide variety of radiation hardnesses

4. higher radiation hardness (more penetration power) than those of conventional X-ray
equipment can be selected


Disadvantages

1. cannot be switched off

2. the energy level (radiation hardness) cannot be adjusted

3. the intensity cannot be adjusted

4. limited service life due to source deterioration (half-life)

5. less contrast than X-ray equipment

 

What are the characteristics of an X-ray film?