Why is Cobalt 60 used in industrial radiography?
As the material rids itself of the neutron, energy is released in the form of gamma rays. Two of the more common industrial gamma-ray sources for industrial radiography are iridium-192 and cobalt-60. These high energies make it possible to penetrate thick materials with a relatively short exposure time.
Is Cobalt 60 good for the environment?
Most exposure to cobalt-60 takes place intentionally during medical tests and treatments. Such exposures are carefully controlled to avoid adverse health impacts. Since cobalt-60 has a short half-life there is no significant presence of the isotope in the general environment at this time.
Why is Cobalt 60 used for sterilization?
The gamma irradiation process uses Cobalt 60 radiation to kill microorganisms on a variety of different products in a specially designed cell. Gamma radiation is generated by the decay of the radioisotope Cobalt 60, with the resultant high energy photons being an effective sterilant.
How does cobalt therapy work?
Cobalt therapy is the medical use of gamma rays from the radioisotope cobalt-60 to treat conditions such as cancer. Beginning in the 1950s, cobalt-60 was widely used in external beam radiotherapy (teletherapy) machines, which produced a beam of gamma rays which was directed into the patient’s body to kill tumor tissue.
How does a cobalt-60 work?
The basis of the cobalt-60 machine is a high activity sealed source producing 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV gamma rays [6]. The source activity on delivery can be from 185 to 555 TBq [6]. The source is driven to an open position and collimation is used to limit the beam to the treatment target.
How is cobalt-60 used in agriculture?
It is produced by irradiating the stable isotope cobalt-59 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Cobalt-60 is used in the inspection of materials to reveal internal structure, flaws, or foreign objects and in the sterilization of food.
What is the significance of cobalt?
Cobalt salts have been used for centuries to produce brilliant blue colours in paint, porcelain, glass, pottery and enamels. Radioactive cobalt-60 is used to treat cancer and, in some countries, to irradiate food to preserve it. Cobalt is an essential trace element, and forms part of the active site of vitamin B12.
What are uses of cobalt?
Cobalt is also used to make airbags in automobiles; catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries; cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools; corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys; drying agents for paints, varnishes, and inks; dyes and pigments; ground coats for porcelain enamels; high-speed …
What are 5 uses of cobalt?
Cobalt is used in many alloys (superalloys for parts in gas turbine aircrafr engines, corrosion resistant alloys, high-speed steels, cemented carbides), in magents and magnetic recording media, as catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries, as drying agents for paints and inks.
How is cobalt used in everyday life?
Currently, the traditional areas of consumption and application of cobalt are mainly battery materials, super heat-resistant alloys, tool steels, hard alloys, magnetic materials; cobalt in the form of compounds is mainly used as catalysts, desiccants, reagents, pigments and dyes.
What is Cobalt 60 used for?
Cobalt-60 is a beta-emitting radioactive isotope of cobalt-59. In cobalt-60 therapy, cobalt-60-generated gamma radiation is used to destroy tumors.
What is the half life of Cobalt 60?
Cobalt-60 decays continuously. The time taken to lose 50% of its initial activity, i.e., its half-life, is 5.26 years. Usually 10% of the cobalt-60 is replenished annually.
What is the formula for cobalt?
The chemical formula for cobalt is its chemical symbol, Co. Since cobalt is a pure element, its chemical formula is identical to its chemical symbol. Cobalt is the 27th member of the periodic table and is assigned the chemical symbol Co.
What is Cobalt 60 source?
Security Systems – Cobalt-60 is used in detecting the presence of nitrogen chemical compounds found in the majority of explosives. Level Gauging – Co-60 is used in nuclear, radar, and ultrasonic level measurement devices. Medical – Cobalt 60 is commonly used as a source for radiation therapy, including cancer treatment.