RE: Mag-thorium alloy

[Eric Bickel <BBRE069@barms036.b-r.com>]

Just a thought but why not use the density of each after you determine the 
volume.  Volume can be measured in water.  Express the density of one or the 
other two components in terms of the other and solve simultaneous equations 
for the weight and volume of the items.  Sounds reasonable from here.  Let 
me know if it works.

Eric E. Bickel, Manager
Radiological and Safety Services
Brown and Root Environmental, Aiken SC
Opinions expressed are my own and subject to change or ridicule as 
appropriate.

 ----------
From: radsafe
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Mag-thorium alloy
Date: Monday, November 18, 1996 5:43PM

 I have two magnesium-thorium castings that I want to dispose of. Each 
weighs
 about 25 pounds (11 kg). I am trying to estimate the amount of thorium in
 each. These were fabricated 30 - 40 years ago, and I have nothing to tell 
me
 the percentage of thorium in them.

 Does anyone have information on mag-thor alloys, such as what an average
 thorium content might be?

 Incidentally, I've measured about 2 mrad/hr (0.02 mGy/hr) window-open, and
 about 1 mrad/hr (0.01 mGy/hr) window-closed at the surface of these 
castings.


   Bruce Pickett
   The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA
   bruce.d.pickett@boeing.com