[ RadSafe ] Which welding rods are hot?

[Thompson, Dewey L]

Regular welding rods used for stick arc are not radioactive.  Tungsten Inert Gas  (TIG, sometimes called Gas Tungsten Arc Welding GTAW) electrodes generally are, they have Thorium in them.  I use one routinely in a Cloud Chamber as the alpha source.  There is research in the literature on the Th-232 exposure (main source is from grinding the electrode points need to be refreshed routinely).

A Link:

http://www.jniosh.go.jp/en/indu_hel/pdf/ih_41_3_18.pdf

Dewey


-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Ted de Castro
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 2:05 PM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Which welding rods are hot?

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I know I've encountered some considerably hot welding rods - but didn't notice the type designation.

I just checked my own supply - so 60's, 70's and 78's - I was SURE at least my 6010 would be hot --- but NO - they none were.

So - asked of anyone who has some hot ones --- what type?

thanks
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