11.07.2015 Views

Radiography in Modern Industry - Kodak

Radiography in Modern Industry - Kodak

Radiography in Modern Industry - Kodak

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

soften considerably with prolonged wash<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> water above 68°F (20°C). Therefore, if possiblethe temperature of the wash water should be ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed between 65 and 70°F or 18 and 21°C).Formation of a cloud of m<strong>in</strong>ute bubbles on the surfaces of the film <strong>in</strong> the wash tank sometimesoccurs. These bubbles <strong>in</strong>terfere with wash<strong>in</strong>g the areas of emulsion beneath them, and cansubsequently cause a discoloration or a mottled appearance of the radiograph. When this troubleis encountered, the films should be removed from the wash water and the emulsion surfaceswiped with a soft cellulose sponge at least twice dur<strong>in</strong>g the wash<strong>in</strong>g period to remove thebubbles. Vigorous tapp<strong>in</strong>g of the top bar of the hanger aga<strong>in</strong>st the top of the tank rarely issufficient to remove the bubbles.Prevention of Water SpotsWhen films are removed from the wash tanks, small drops of water cl<strong>in</strong>g to the surfaces of theemulsions. If the films are dried rapidly, the areas under the drops dry more slowly than thesurround<strong>in</strong>g areas. This uneven dry<strong>in</strong>g causes distortion of the gelat<strong>in</strong>, chang<strong>in</strong>g the density ofthe silver image, and results <strong>in</strong> spots that are frequently visible and troublesome <strong>in</strong> the f<strong>in</strong>ishedradiograph.Such "water spots" can be largely prevented by immers<strong>in</strong>g the washed films for 1 or 2 m<strong>in</strong>utes <strong>in</strong>a wett<strong>in</strong>g agent, then allow<strong>in</strong>g the bulk of the water to dra<strong>in</strong> off before the films are placed <strong>in</strong> thedry<strong>in</strong>g cab<strong>in</strong>et. This solution causes the surplus water to dra<strong>in</strong> off the film more evenly, reduc<strong>in</strong>gthe number of cl<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g drops. This reduces the dry<strong>in</strong>g time and lessens the number of water spotsoccurr<strong>in</strong>g on the f<strong>in</strong>ished radiographs.Dry<strong>in</strong>gConvenient racks are available commercially for hold<strong>in</strong>g hangers dur<strong>in</strong>g dry<strong>in</strong>g when only a smallnumber of films are processed daily. When the racks are placed high on the wall, the films can besuspended by <strong>in</strong>sert<strong>in</strong>g the crossbars of the process<strong>in</strong>g hangers <strong>in</strong> the holes provided. Thisobviates the danger of strik<strong>in</strong>g the radiographs while they are wet, or spatter<strong>in</strong>g water on thedry<strong>in</strong>g surfaces, which would cause spots on them. Radiographs dry best <strong>in</strong> warm, dry air that ischang<strong>in</strong>g constantly.When a considerable number of films are to be processed, suitable driers with built-<strong>in</strong> fans, filters,and heaters or desiccants are commercially available.Marks <strong>in</strong> RadiographsDefects, spots, and marks of many k<strong>in</strong>ds may occur if the preced<strong>in</strong>g general rules for manualprocess<strong>in</strong>g are not carefully followed. Perhaps the most common process<strong>in</strong>g defect is streak<strong>in</strong>essand mottle <strong>in</strong> areas that receive a uniform exposure. This unevenness may be a result of:• Failure to agitate the films sufficiently dur<strong>in</strong>g development or the presence of toomany hangers <strong>in</strong> the tank, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>adequate space between neighbor<strong>in</strong>g films.• Insufficient r<strong>in</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> water or failure to agitate the films sufficiently before fixation.• The use of an exhausted stop bath or failure to agitate the film properly <strong>in</strong> the stopbath.• In the absence of satisfactory r<strong>in</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g--<strong>in</strong>sufficient agitation of the films on firstimmers<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong> the fix<strong>in</strong>g bath.Other characteristic marks are dark spots caused by the spatter<strong>in</strong>g of developer solution, staticelectric discharges, and f<strong>in</strong>ger marks; and dark streaks occurr<strong>in</strong>g when the developer-saturatedfilm is <strong>in</strong>spected for a prolonged time before a safelight lamp. If possible, films should never beexam<strong>in</strong>ed at length until they are dry.A further trouble is fog - that is, development of silver halide gra<strong>in</strong>s other than those affected byradiation dur<strong>in</strong>g exposure. It is a great source of annoyance and may be caused by accidentalexposure to light, x-rays, or radioactive substances; contam<strong>in</strong>ated developer solution;<strong>Radiography</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Modern</strong> <strong>Industry</strong> 113

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!