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In this Edition September 2011 |
LEAD FEATURE |
COMPANY NEWS |
MATERIALS NEWS |
MACHINERY NEWS |
ENVIRONMENT NEWS |
INJECTION MOULDING ASIA |
RUBBER JOURNAL ASIA |
 ELECTRONIC ISSUE |
PRA September 2011 Electronic Issue Now Available |
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Materials News
Aiming for low-cost production of radiation detectors
T
eijin Chemicals has launched a low-cost polyester-based resin that emits a blue fluorescence light when exposed to radiation. Known as Scintirex, it was developed with Kyoto University Nuclear Reactor Research Institute and the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan.The material can be used in the production of scintillators, which is a core material used in radiation detectors. Conventional scintillators are made with aromatic resins like PS or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), with the plastic containing fluorescent agents.
The new material is targeted at universities, research institutes and manufacturers for a variety of applications including radiation detectors and medical equipment.
Tokyo-based Teijin says Scintirex will help to reduce the total cost of radiation detectors by reducing the production cost of scintillators to one-tenth or less of current levels. The company also says the material is superior to conventional scintillators in terms of luminescence, refractive index and density and because it is a polyester resin, it offers easier mouldability.
Teijin says detectors equipped with Scintirex can be used for radiation management at nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel processing facilities and radiation stations, such as those in hospitals. It also has a wide array of other applications, including radiation-inspection equipment at airports, harbours and rail stations and aerospace hardware.