Etching Characteristics of Nuclear Tracks in CR-39 Plastics

Abstract

In using CR-39 plastics for individual neutron dosimeters, changes of etching efficiency cause significant error in dose estimation. Etching efficiency is subject to a number of parameters. In this study the influences of the parameters were examined by measuring the diameters of etch-pits formed by alpha-particles and enlarged by aqueous solutions of 25-35% KOH at 55-65°C for 4hr. It has been observed that diameter changes at the rate of 8.3%/°C in temperature, 8.2%/wt% in concentration and -0.60%/day in time after preparation of etchant. The diameter is unaffected by the supplying of up to 280ml/l, of distilled water for evaporation of etchant or by increase up to 5g/l of CR-39 dissolved in etchant. The magnitude of possible error has been estimated by parameter as well as ingeneral, so as to obtain suggestions for improving etching treatment.