ISO/ASTM 51275:2004

INTERNATIONAL ISO/ASTM
STANDARD 51275
Second edition
2004-06-15
Practice for use of a radiochromic film
dosimetry system
Pratique de l’utilisation d’un système dosimétrique à film
radiochromique
Reference number
ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
© ISO/ASTM International 2004

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ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
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ii © ISO/ASTM International 2004 – All rights reserved

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ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Referenced documents . 1
3 Terminology . 1
4 Significance and use . 2
5 Dosimetry system . 2
6 Performance check of instrumentation . 2
7 Calibration of the dosimetry system . 2
8 Procedure . 3
9 Characterization of each batch of dosimeters . 3
10 Application of dosimetry system . 4
11 Minimum documentation requirements . 4
12 Measurement uncertainty . 4
13 Keywords . 4
Bibliography . 5
© ISO/ASTM International 2004 – All rights reserved iii

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ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for
voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the member bodies
casting a vote.
ASTM International is one of the world’s largest voluntary standards development organizations with global
participation from affected stakeholders. ASTM technical committees follow rigorous due process balloting
procedures.
A project between ISO and ASTM International has been formed to develop and maintain a group of
ISO/ASTM radiation processing dosimetry standards. Under this project, ASTM Subcommittee E10.01,
Dosimetry for Radiation Processing, is responsible for the development and maintenance of these dosimetry
standards with unrestricted participation and input from appropriate ISO member bodies.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. Neither ISO nor ASTM International shall be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
International Standard ISO/ASTM 51275 was developed by ASTM Committee E10, Nuclear Technology and
Applications, through Subcommittee E10.01, and by Technical Committee ISO/TC 85, Nuclear Energy.
iv © ISO/ASTM International 2004 – All rights reserved

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ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
Standard Practice for
1
Use of a Radiochromic Film Dosimetry System
This standard is issued under the fixed designation ISO/ASTM 51275; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.
1. Scope 51261 Guide for Selection and Calibration of Dosimetry
4
Systems for Radiation Processing
1.1 This practice covers the procedures for handling, test-
51400 Practice for Characterization and Performance of a
ing, and using a radiochromic film dosimetry system to
4
High-Dose Radiation Dosimetry Calibration Laboratory
measure absorbed dose in materials irradiated by photons or
51707 Guide for Estimating Uncertainties in Dosimetry for
electrons in terms of absorbed dose in water.
4
Radiation Processing
1.2 This practice applies to radiochromic film dosimeters
2.3 International Commission on Radiation Units and
that can be used within part or all of the specified ranges as
5
Measurements (ICRU) Reports:
follows:
ICRU Report 14 Radiation Dosimetry: X–Rays and Gamma
1.2.1 The absorbed dose range is 1 Gy to 100 kGy.
–2 13
Rays with Maximum Photon Energies Between 0.6 and 50
1.2.2 The absorbed dose rate is 1 3 10 to 1 3 10 Gy/s
2
MeV
(1-4).
ICRU Report 17 Radiation Dosimetry: X–Rays Generated
1.2.3 The radiation energy range for both photons and
at Potentials of 5 to 150 kV
electrons is 0.1 to 50 MeV.
ICRU Report 34 The Dosimetry of Pulsed Radiation
1.2.4 The irradiation temperature range is –78 to +60°C.
ICRU Report 35 Radiation Dosimetry: Electron Beams with
1.3 This practice applies to radiochromic films of various
Energies Between 1 and 50 MeV
formats, including small pieces used to measure a single dose
ICRU Report 60 Fundamental Quantities and Units for
value, strips used for one-dimensional dose-mapping, and
Ionizing Radiation
sheets used for two-dimensional dose-mapping. Three-
dimensional dose-mapping may be achieved by proper place-
3. Terminology
ment of any of these formats.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 analysis wavelength—wavelength used in a spectro-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
photometric instrument for the measurement of optical absor-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
bance or reflectance.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.2 calibration curve—graphical representation of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
dosimetry system’s response function.
2. Referenced documents 3.1.3 dosimeter batch—quantity of dosimeters made from a
3
specific mass of material with uniform composition, fabricated
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in a single production run under controlled, consistent condi-
E 170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements
tions and having a unique identification code.
and Dosimetry
3.1.4 dosimetry system—system used for determining ab-
E 668 Practice for Application of Thermoluminescence-
sorbed dose, consisting of dosimeters, measurement instru-
Dosimetry (TLD) Systems for Determining Absorbed Dose
ments and their associated reference standards, and procedures
in Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronic Devices
for the system’s use.
2.2 ISO/ASTM Standards:
3.1.5 measurement quality assurance plan—documented
program for the measurement process that ensures on a
continuing basis that the overall uncertainty meets the require-
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear ments of the specific application. This plan requires traceability
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
to, and consistency with, nationally or internationally recog-
E10.01 on Dosimetry for Radiation Processing, and is also under the jurisdiction of
nized standards.
ISO/TC 85/WG 3.
3.1.6 net absorbance, DA—change in measured optical
Current edition approved April 5, 2004. Published June 15, 2004. Originally
e1
published as ASTM E 1275–88. Last previous ASTM edition E 1275–98 . ASTM
absorbance at a selected wavelength determined as the absolute
E 1275–93 was adopted by ISO in 1998 with the intermediate designation ISO
difference between the pre-irradiation absorbance, A , and the
0
15557:1998(E). The present International Standard ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
post-irradiation absorbance, A, as follows:
replaces ISO 15557 and is a minor revision of the last previous edition ISO/ASTM
51275:2002(E).
DA 5?A 2 A ?. (1)
2 0
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the bibliography at the end of this
practice.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measure-
the ASTM website. ments, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
© ISO/ASTM International 2004 – All rights reserved
1

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ISO/ASTM 51275:2004(E)
3.1.6.1 Discussion—In practice, an average pre-irradiation 5.1.4 Thickness Gage, with a precision of 62 % of the film
absorbance may be used to determine net absorbance. thickness (at a 95 % confidence level), if the film’s thickness is
to be measured.
3.1.7 radiochromic film-dosimeter—specially prepared film
containing ingredients that undergo change in optical absor-
NOTE 2—Documentation provided by the manufacturer of the radio-
bance under ionizing radiation. This change in optical absor-
chromic film dosimeter with regard to the film thickness and its variability
bance can be related to absorbed dose in water.
may be substituted for direct measurement of thickness by the user. This
information may be verified by the user by analyzing a representative
3.1.8 response function—mathematical representation of
sample of films.
the relationship between dosimeter response and absorbed dose
NOTE 3—Some radiochromic film dosimeters contain a substrate which
for a given dosimetry system.
is not radiochromic. With such dosimeters the thickness is not measured;
3.1.9 specific net absorbance (Dk)—Net absorbance, DA, at
instead use the manufacturer’s documentation of the thickness and/or
a selected wavelength divided by the optical pathlength, d,
variability of the film’s radiation-sensitive layer.
through the dosimeter material as follows:
5.1.5 Packaging materials for radiochromic films, where
Dk5DA/d. (2)
applicable, such as pouches or envelopes to protect from light
3.2 Definitions of other terms used in this standard that
or humidity variations.
pertain to radiation measurement and dosimetry may be found
in ASTM Terminology Standard E 170. Definitions in ASTM
6. Performance check of instrumentation
E 170 are compatible with ICRU 60; that document, therefore,
6.1 The performance of the photometer or spectrophotom-
may be used as an alternative reference.
eter shall be checked as specified in Section 7.4, and docu-
mented. Use reference standards traceable to national or
4. Significance and use
international standards.
4.1 The radiochromic film dosimetry system provides a
6.1.1 When using a spectrophotometer, check and document
means of determining absorbed dose in materials. Under the
the accuracy of the wavelength scale and absorbance scale at or
influence of ionizing radiation, chemical reactions take place in
near the analysis wavelength(s) at intervals not to exceed one
the radiochromic film creating or enhancing, or both, optical
month during periods of use and as specified by the end-user’s
absorption bands. Absorbance is determined within these
internal procedures.
radiation-induced absorption bands using a spectrophotometer
6.1.2 When using a photometer, check and document the
or photometer (See 5.1.2).
accuracy of the absorbance scale at intervals not to exceed one
4.2 In the application of a specific dosimetry system,
month during periods of use and as specified by the end-user’s
absorbed dose is determined by use of a calibration curve
internal procedures.
traceable to national or international standards.
6.1.3 Compare the information obtained in 6.1.1 or 6.1.2
4.3 The absorbed dose determined is usually specified in with the original instrument specifications to ensure adequate
water. Absorbed dose in other materials may be determined by
performance.
applying conversion factors. This is discussed in ISO/ASTM 6.2 Check the thickness gage prior to first use and periodi-
Guide 51261.
cally thereafter to ensure reproducibility and lack of zero drift.
Check and document the calibration of the gage at intervals not
NOTE 1—For comprehensive discussion of various dosimetry methods
to exceed six months. Use gage blocks, traceable to national or
applicable to the radiation types and energies discussed in this practice,
international standards for this purpose.
see ICRU Reports 14, 17, 34, and 35.
4.4 Radiochromic film dosimetry systems are commonly
7. Calibration of the dosimetry system
applied in the industrial radiation processing of a variety of
7.1 Prior to use, the dosimetry system (consisting of a
products, for example, sterilization of medical devices and
specific batch of dosimeters and specific measurement instru-
processing of foods.
ments) shall be calibrated in accordance with the user’s
documented procedure that specifies details of the calibration
5. Dosimetry system
process and quality assurance requirements. This calibration
5.1 Components of the Dosimetry System—The following
process shall be repeated at regular intervals to ensure that the
shall be used to determine absorbed dose with radiochromic
accuracy of the absorbed dose measurement is maintained
film dosimetry systems:
within required limits. Calibration methods are described in
5.1.1 Radiochromic Film Dosimeters
ISO/ASTM Guide 51261.
5.1.2 Spectrophotometer or Photometer, having documen-
7.2 Calibration Irradiation of Dosimeters—Irradiation is a
tation covering analysis wavelength range, accuracy of wave-
critical component of the calibration of the dosimetry system.
length selection, absorbance determination, spectral band-
Calibration shall be performed in one of three ways by
width, and stray light rejection. Examples of appropriate
irradiating the dosimeters at:
wavelengths for analysis for specific dosimetry systems are
7.2.1 an accredited calibration laboratory that provides an
provided by th
...