C&TSRR Locomotive 463 - X-Rays

Locomotive 463 X-Rays 03-18-11 Monte Vista Locomotive Works in Monte Vista, Colorado. Time to test the frame for hidden cracks. A very interesting and educational day. isotope radiography Man made radioactive sources are produced by introducing an extra neutron to atoms of the source material. As the material rids itself of the neutron, energy is released in the form of gamma rays. Two of the more common industrial gamma-ray sources for industrial radiography are iridium-192 and cobalt-60. These isotopes emit radiation in a few discreet wavelengths. Cobalt-60 will emit a 1.33 and a 1.17 MeV gamma ray, and iridium-192 will emit 0.31, 0.47, and 0.60 MeV gamma rays. In comparison to an X-ray generator, cobalt-60 produces energies comparable to a 1.25 MeV X-ray system and iridium-192 to a 460 keV X-ray system. These high energies make it possible to penetrate thick materials with a relatively short exposure time. This and the fact that sources are very portable are the main reasons that gamma sources are widely used for field radiography. Of course, the disadvantage of a radioactive source is that it can never be turned off and safely managing the source is a constant responsibility. Physical size of isotope materials varies between manufacturers, but generally an isotope material is a pellet that measures 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm. Depending on the level of activity desired, a pellet or pellets are loaded into a stainless steel capsule and sealed by welding. The capsule is attached to ...