Plastic scintillators are the main imported component of radiation detectors. The indigenous development of the plastic scintillators, based on polymers like polystyrene, polyvinyl toluene and polyvinyl xylene, has been carried out. These scintillators are developed by controlled polymerization of corresponding monomers in the presence of suitable initiators and organic fluorescence additives. The cylindrical shaped 2 inch diameter plastic scintillators of different heights have been successfully made. These scintillators can be used for making radiation monitors for target applications, such as low range survey monitoring, contamination monitoring, etc. Performance of the radiation monitor is matching well with that of the imported ones.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Crystal Dimensions : 2 inch diameter and height in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 inch
• Density : 1.05 g/cm³
• Melting Point : ~240°C
• Wavelength of emission : 385 nm
• Sensitivity for ¹³⁷Cs : 0.6 cps/µR/hr

APPLICATIONS

• Radiation detectors
• Low range survey monitors
• Contamination monitors
• Nuclear physics experiments
• Area monitor
• Security baggage scanning

Plastic scintillators are the main imported component of radiation detectors. The indigenous development of the plastic scintillators, based on polymers like polystyrene, polyvinyl toluene and polyvinyl xylene, has been carried out. These scintillators are developed by controlled polymerization of corresponding monomers in the presence of suitable initiators and organic fluorescence additives. The cylindrical shaped 2 inch diameter plastic scintillators of different heights have been successfully made. These scintillators can be used for making radiation monitors for target applications, such as low range survey monitoring, contamination monitoring, etc. Performance of the radiation monitor is comparable to that of the imported ones.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Crystal Dimensions : Cylindrical shape, 2 inch diameter, height in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 inch
• Density : 1.05 g/cm³
• Melting Point : ~240°C
• Wavelength of emission : 385 nm
• Sensitivity for ¹³⁷Cs : 0.6 cps/µR/hr (which is matching well with that of the commercially available sample)

APPLICATIONS

• Radiation detectors
• Low range survey monitors
• Contamination monitors
• Nuclear physics experiments
• Area monitor
• Security baggage scanning

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION

A. Infrastructure Requirements

• Space : 1 room of ~250 sq. ft. area
  
• Equipments : Vaccum distillation unit, separating funnel and sorbent column to purify the monomers, heating oven, oil bath, fume hood and specially designed housing of required size & shape, with appropriate heating arrangement, for polymerization of the monomers. Machining to proper size & shape and polishing
  
• Consumables : Vinyl benzene, vinyl toluene and vinyl xylene monomers, polymerization initiators like benzoyl peroxide and 2,2'-azobis-isobutyronitrile, fluorescence additives & wavelength shifters (para-terphenyl, 1,1',4,4'-tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole and 4-bis-(5-phenyl-2-oxazole). A mould releasing agent, like zinc stearate, teflon, etc. may be required depending upon the type of housing used for the polymerization
  

B. Manpower Requirement

• B.Sc (chemistry) or equivalent (1 person)
• Technician (1 person)

C. Electrical Power Requirement

• 220 V, 50 Hz, Single phase, 15 A

D. Precautions

• Precautions should be taken against fire hazard, proper air exhaust/ventilation and fume hood facilities should be used during all the stages of synthesis