Home Tubes Asylum

Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

RE: Can tubes be radioactive?

Tubes can be radioactive, but probably not in the way you are thinking about it.

Voltage regulator tubes typically were purposely made with a tiny amount of radioactive material inside. The idea was to provide an ionization source to help trigger the things to conduct.

Some materials used in tubes contain some naturally radioactive isotopes. Thorium, for example.

Exposing material to radioactive bombardment doesn't usually result in that material becoming radioactive itself. Usually the matreial has to be contaminated with some of the radioactive compounds.

As far as recent production tubes possibly using contaminated recycled material ... Well, who knows? Get your Geiger counter out and see. However, you might have to break the envelope to find out - The glass will block virtually all radioactive emisisons from the electrodes inside.


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  The Cable Cooker  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.