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Reference, Questions and Help => Nuke Q&A => Topic started by: PapaBear765 on Feb 08, 2008, 10:26

Title: Co-60 Activation?
Post by: PapaBear765 on Feb 08, 2008, 10:26

I've seen this episode of How It's Made (great show) that shows how scalpel blades are made.  The last step of the process is to sterilize them before shipping by exposing them to a Co-60 source.  Maybe I'm not as Chem-Radcon smart as I should be, but doesn't that activate them and thereby make everyone handling them exposed to radiation?  Just curious.

Title: Re: How It's Made
Post by: Rennhack on Feb 08, 2008, 11:34

Co-60 does not emit neutrons, it emits Gammas.

Activation happens when a neutron is captured by a nucleus.

Title: Re: Co-60 Activation?
Post by: Motown homey on Feb 14, 2008, 10:21

When gammas interact they cause their harm to the material, and, being photons, disappear when they have expended all of their energy (much like visible light).  You can liken this to the fact that one can get a sunburn, but no one in their vicinity would get a sunburn from their proximity to the sunburned one.

Title: Re: Co-60 Activation?
Post by: spentfuel on Feb 14, 2008, 11:23

Quote from: Rennhack

Activation happens when a neutron is captured by a nucleus.

Say's it all

They also use these irradiators for medical equipment and some food sterilizations

A million curies of Co-60 kills bugs rather efficiently

sf

Title: Re: Co-60 Activation?
Post by: Rennhack on Feb 14, 2008, 02:59

Quote from: Motown homey on Feb 14, 2008, 10:21

When gammas interact they cause their harm to the material, and, being photons, disappear when they have expended all of their energy (much like visible light).  You can liken this to the fact that one can get a sunburn, but no one in their vicinity would get a sunburn from their proximity to the sunburned one.

Good addition.