Post-irradiation heat treatment finalizes the chemical reaction in B3 film
B3 radiochromic film dosimeters are used for absorbed dose measurements in radiation processing. B3 film is composed of pararosaniline cyanide dissolved in polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and is manufactured into a highly-uniform, thin film. When irradiated, a chemical reaction occurs within the B3 film and the dosimeter changes from colorless to a pink/magenta color. The degree of color change is quantifiable and directly related to the amount of dose of ionizing radiation energy the dosimeter receives.
Post-irradiation heat treatment of B3 film is necessary to catalyze chemical reaction and finalize the color change. Heat-treatment is required for all users except those users exclusively using high doses (> 40 kGy) and high temperatures (> 55.0°C).
B3 film response is stable for weeks after heat treatment!
After heat-treatment, the radiation-induced color change of B3 dosimeters is stable for weeks when stored under normal laboratory conditions. The film stability allows users to measure the optical absorbance of B3 dosimeters in accordance with their business needs and allows for re-measurement days or weeks later.