Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Fabrication of Miniature Titanium Capsule for Brachytherapy Sources Using Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Method

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

R Naghdi
Sh Sheibani
M Tamizifar
Abstract
The capsules containing radioactive materials as brachytherapy sources are used for implanting into some target organs for malignant disorders treatments, such as prostate, eyes, and brain cancers. The conventional method for sealing the tubes is to weld them using a laser beam which is now a part of tube melting methods (self welding). The purpose of this study was to seal miniature titanium tubes containing radioactive materials in the form of capsules. This study introduced a new method based on melting process. A piece of commercially pure titanium grade 2 in the form of disk was used for the experiment. The sample was melted at the top of the tube by a TIG welding device for a short time duration. After complection of the melting, the disk in the form of a drop was mixed with a small part of it and both were solidified and hence closed the tube. We evaluated the tubes for the metalargical properties and seal process which took place by TIG in different zones, including the heat affected zone (HAZ), fusion zone (FZ), and interface (I) of the joint of the drop to the tube. Finally, the produced samples were tested according to the ISO2919 & ISO9978 and the results confirmed the Disk & TIG procedure.

Highlights

  1. International Atomic Energy Agancy, Production techniques and quality control of sealed radioactive sources of palladium-103, Iodine-125, Iridium-192 and Ytterbium-169, Final Report of a Coordinated Research Project, IAEA-TECDOC-1512 (2001-2005).

 2.   L. Keun, H. Hyon-Soo, S. Kwang-Jae, H. Soon-Bog, Optimization of Nd: YAG laser welding parameters for sealing small titanium tube ends Hyoung, Materials Science and Engineering A415 (2006) 149-155.

 3.   A.R. Hruska and P. Borelli, Qulity criteria for pure titanium casting, Laboratory soldering, and adevice to aid in making uncontaminated castings, J. Prosthert. Dent. 66, 4 (1991) 561-565.

 4.   I. Watanabe, J.H. Watkins, H. Nakajima, M. Atsuta, T. Okabe, Effect of pressure difference on the quality of titanium casting, J. DENT. RES, 76 (1997) 773.

  1. International Organization for Standardization, Sealed radioactive sources-general, ISO1677 (1977).

 6.   International Organization for Standardization, Radiation protection-sealed radioactive sources general requirement and classification, ISO 2919 (1999).

 7.   International Organization for Standardization, Radiation protection-sealed radioactive sources leakage test methods, ISO 9978 (1992).

 8.   X. Li, J. Xie, Effects of oxygen contamination in the Argon shielding gas in the laser welding of commercially pure titanium, Materiale Science, 40 (2005) 3437-3443.

Keywords

Brachytherapy Source
TIG Welding
Titanium Capsule
  1. International Atomic Energy Agancy, Production techniques and quality control of sealed radioactive sources of palladium-103, Iodine-125, Iridium-192 and Ytterbium-169, Final Report of a Coordinated Research Project, IAEA-TECDOC-1512 (2001-2005).

 2.   L. Keun, H. Hyon-Soo, S. Kwang-Jae, H. Soon-Bog, Optimization of Nd: YAG laser welding parameters for sealing small titanium tube ends Hyoung, Materials Science and Engineering A415 (2006) 149-155.

 3.   A.R. Hruska and P. Borelli, Qulity criteria for pure titanium casting, Laboratory soldering, and adevice to aid in making uncontaminated castings, J. Prosthert. Dent. 66, 4 (1991) 561-565.

 4.   I. Watanabe, J.H. Watkins, H. Nakajima, M. Atsuta, T. Okabe, Effect of pressure difference on the quality of titanium casting, J. DENT. RES, 76 (1997) 773.

  1. International Organization for Standardization, Sealed radioactive sources-general, ISO1677 (1977).

 6.   International Organization for Standardization, Radiation protection-sealed radioactive sources general requirement and classification, ISO 2919 (1999).

 7.   International Organization for Standardization, Radiation protection-sealed radioactive sources leakage test methods, ISO 9978 (1992).

 8.   X. Li, J. Xie, Effects of oxygen contamination in the Argon shielding gas in the laser welding of commercially pure titanium, Materiale Science, 40 (2005) 3437-3443.

Home