Radioactive Tubes

Devius · 26th November 2005, 11:21 PM

Hi

I have aquired some electronic valves, and in the middle of them there were three 1B24A tubes. Two of them in boxes and one without a box. These tubes bear a radioactive sign on the boxes and on the tube metal envelope. I have researched and it turns out they have some radioative material in their composition, namely Cobalt 60. The exact quantity I'm not aware since the brand of the tubes doesn't apear on the page listing the information.
What I'd like to know is if these tubes are dangerous to keep around or if they are just dangerous if broken or somehing.

Thanks

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 12:15 AM

Dont leave them under your pillow, and dont break them, the dust is very fine and difficult to clean up. Half life is 5 and a quarter years (read: its highly radioactive), its 99.9% Nickel in about 50 years. Cobalt 60 emits gamma rays.

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 12:37 AM

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION SHEET
ELECTRON TUBE, GAS SWITCHING
TYPE 1B24A.

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 12:44 AM

This tube can contain upto a microcurie of Cobalt 60.

Mark A. Gulbrandsen · 27th November 2005, 01:24 AM

1 Micro-curie = One millionth of a curie. That amount of radioactive material that disintegrates (decays) at the rate of 37 thousand atoms per second.

Treat any radioactive parts or substances with extreme care!! I have a couple that contain radioactive substances but they are not measurable with a Geiger Counter so most would deem them safe. They are way to cool to just dispose of but they may be a reason for my hair loss.....

Mark

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 01:37 AM

West brand 1B24A tubes can contain upto 2 microcuries of Radium 226.

Nordic · 27th November 2005, 01:44 AM

Sounds like you are building a valve powered WMD.

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 02:38 AM

Let me know if you have any tubes with Nickel-63.

Tweeker · 27th November 2005, 07:18 AM

Valves are the way to go for WMDs, SS just isnt hard.

Devius · 27th November 2005, 03:01 PM

I have those valves in a far corner of my house lol

WMD?? Weapon of Mass Destruction? :O Not really...

The 1B24A valves I have are from JRC and they have an inscription that says something like "manufactured by Japan Radio Company for Raytheon". They are at least some 30 years old. I didn't quite understand all that technical stuff about decay but, given their age does that mean they are not dangerous any more? Or is it the opposite?

26th November 2005, 11:21 PM	#1
Devius diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Braga	Radioactive Tubes Hi I have aquired some electronic valves, and in the middle of them there were three 1B24A tubes. Two of them in boxes and one without a box. These tubes bear a radioactive sign on the boxes and on the tube metal envelope. I have researched and it turns out they have some radioative material in their composition, namely Cobalt 60. The exact quantity I'm not aware since the brand of the tubes doesn't apear on the page listing the information. What I'd like to know is if these tubes are dangerous to keep around or if they are just dangerous if broken or somehing. Thanks

27th November 2005, 12:15 AM	#2
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Dont leave them under your pillow, and dont break them, the dust is very fine and difficult to clean up. Half life is 5 and a quarter years (read: its highly radioactive), its 99.9% Nickel in about 50 years. Cobalt 60 emits gamma rays. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

27th November 2005, 12:37 AM	#3
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION SHEET ELECTRON TUBE, GAS SWITCHING TYPE 1B24A. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

27th November 2005, 12:44 AM	#4
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	This tube can contain upto a microcurie of Cobalt 60. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

27th November 2005, 01:37 AM	#6
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	West brand 1B24A tubes can contain upto 2 microcuries of Radium 226. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.


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27th November 2005, 01:24 AM	#5
Mark A. Gulbrandsen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Salt Lake City	1 Micro-curie = One millionth of a curie. That amount of radioactive material that disintegrates (decays) at the rate of 37 thousand atoms per second. Treat any radioactive parts or substances with extreme care!! I have a couple that contain radioactive substances but they are not measurable with a Geiger Counter so most would deem them safe. They are way to cool to just dispose of but they may be a reason for my hair loss..... Mark

27th November 2005, 01:44 AM	#7
Nordic diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Sounds like you are building a valve powered WMD.

27th November 2005, 02:38 AM	#8
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Let me know if you have any tubes with Nickel-63. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

27th November 2005, 07:18 AM	#9
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Valves are the way to go for WMDs, SS just isnt hard. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

27th November 2005, 03:01 PM	#10
Devius diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Braga	I have those valves in a far corner of my house lol WMD?? Weapon of Mass Destruction? :O Not really... The 1B24A valves I have are from JRC and they have an inscription that says something like "manufactured by Japan Radio Company for Raytheon". They are at least some 30 years old. I didn't quite understand all that technical stuff about decay but, given their age does that mean they are not dangerous any more? Or is it the opposite?

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