X-ray units

Jo Atkinson <jo.atkinson [at] archaeology__usyd__edu__au> writes

>The Nicholson Museum at Sydney University has received a grant to
>purchase an X-ray unit.  The objects within the collection are
>archaeological--ceramics, stone, glass, bronze, iron and organics.
>We have been looking at purchasing an Imaging Intensifier--which is
>expensive, but very neat in terms of the image output (removing the
>need to process the film) and ease and safety of operation.  We are
>still concerned that we may not be able to get the range of kV
>necessary to examine such a wide range of materials.  We would
>appreciate hearing from anyone with any hints or experience in using
>and/or purchasing an X-ray unit for use on such a collection.

We have used commercial units for examining paste and temper of
archaeological sherds. For thick or curved sherds (those not in
contact with the plate), we have gotten good results with 56kV and
2.5mA. For thin sherds we find that 56kV and 1.6mA works well.

Michael Trinkley, Ph.D.
Director
Chicora Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 8664
Columbia, SC 29202-8664
803-787-6910



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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:2
                 Distributed: Wednesday, June 13, 2001
                        Message Id: cdl-15-2-001
                                  ***