Industry and Manufacturing

Radioisotopes Help Create Better Products

With radioisotopes, manufacturers can find hidden defects in hardware and test finished products to see whether they will last.

Using radioisotopes in manufacturing depends a lot on the fact that radiation loses energy as it passes through substances. Radioisotopes area used to monitor and control thicknesses when making plastics, paper, and film for cameras. The radiation that passes through the material is measured and compared with the radiation that would pass through a material of the correct thickness. If more radiation is measured, the material is too thin. If less is measured, the material is too thick. Instruments sensitive to the measurements activate controls to maintain the proper thickness. In this way, materials can be monitored without being touched.

Radioisotopes are also used to gauge certain quantities. For instance, they can measure the amount of glue on a postage stamp to make sure it's the right amount. They can also be used to measure things such as how much sugar is in packaged foods like cereal.

Another process, called radiography, uses radioisotopes to inspect many types of metals and machines for defects. The process is similar to material inspection with x-rays, except that the radiation source is portable and more penetrating. The portable source is easier to use and less expensive than a large machine that would be necessary to produce the same amount of penetrating radiation. Radiography makes it possible to find invisible cracks and manufacturing flaws in structural materials such as steel pipes.

Testing How Products Will Last

Radioisotopes are used in industry and manufacturing to develop strong and uniform products. For testing, they can be added to products such as metal machine parts, tire rubber, and engine oil.

Using sensitive radiation detectors, researchers can quickly determine the location and amount of wear that these materials receive. Manufacturers can then make machines and materials that last longer and operate more reliably.

Products That We Buy

Radioisotopes have a number of applications for consumer goods. These are the types of products we buy for ourselves in grocery, clothing, and hardware stores.

Radioisotopes are used to produce the “shrink wrap” used in packaging many items. First, special film is treated with radiation. Later on, during packaging, the plastic film is heated, which causes it to shrink to fit the shape of the product. Similar processes are used on everything from soft drink bottles to plastic insulation on wires.

Radioisotopes can also enable antistatic devices in copy machines to keep paper sheets from sticking. They can also be used on lint brushes to eliminate the static electricity from clothing.

A very important use of radioisotopes at home is the small amount of americium-241 that's found in many household smoke detectors. The radioisotope is part of the sensing unit that triggers the alarm when smoke is present.