Understanding Neutron Radiography Reading V-Kodak Part 2 of 3

Automated processing, however, places an additional set of demands on the
processing chemicals. Besides developing and fixing the image very quickly,
the processing chemicals must prevent the emulsion from swelling or
becoming either slippery, soft, or sticky. Further, they must prepare the
processed film to be washed and dried rapidly. In automated processors, if a
film becomes slippery, it could slow down in the transport system, so that
films following it could catch up and overlap. Or it might become too sticky to
pass come point and get stuck or even wrap around a roller. If the emulsion
becomes too soft it could be damaged by the rollers. These occurrences, of
course, cannot be tolerated. Therefore, processing solutions used in
automated processors must be formulated to control, within narrow limits, the
physical properties of the film. Consequently, the mixing instructions with
these chemicals must be followed exactly.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang
Radiography in Modern Industry. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Co. 1980