interoffice

to

Kevin Fitzsimmons

from

Gene Tochilin

date

June 5, 1987

subject

varan

21(

ext.

Depleted Uranium in Varion Clinacs & Linatrons

Here is the information on the depleted uranium components found

Both the early Clinac 4
in our medical electron accelerators.
The uranium pieces are shown in
and 6X had identical shielding.
The total
Figure 1, with their weight tabulated in Table 1.
weight of uranium is approximately 270 pounds.
These machines were eventually replaced with the Clinac 4/100 and
Clinac 6/100. While the same shielding configuration was used as
before, the primary collimator was made slightly larger. Also,
the elliptical-gunshield has been replaced by three (3) uranium
to provide better shielding. The total weight of
backplates,
these present units is approximately 400 pounds, as tabulated in
Table 1.

Because a small amount of radioactivity is emitted from uranium,

a decision was made about one year ago to replace the upper and
lower uranium jaws with tungsten jaws. As a result the Clinac 4
contain
being delivered,
accelerators presently
and 6/100
approximately 240 pounds of depleted uranium.
Depleted uranium is a bi-product of the gaseous diffusion process
It
where fissionable U-235 is extracted from natural uranium.
consists of at least 99.7% U-238 and less than 0.3X U-235.
each piece of depleted
Because the metal is highly reactive,
uranium is cadmium plated to prevent surface corrosion. Present
accelerator shielding components are manufactured with a depleted
uranium alloy, containing 0.75% titanium, which can readily be
The alloy is stable
identified by its metallic green surface.
Each piece of depleted uranium
and does not require plating.
is steel stamped with the
impression "Caution Radioactive Material - Depleted Uranium."
Depleted uranium is only mildly radioactive (specific activity of

3.6

17 Ci/g)

and

as

shielding

material

presents

no

More than 500 such

significant external radiation hazard.
licenses have been granted by both state and Federal agencies for
this application.
Finally, three of our industrial x-ray accelerators are equipped
The Linatron 200, a 2
with depleted uranium primary collimators.
MeV unit containa 40 pounds of uranium, while the Linatrons 400
and 1000 (4 MeV and 5 MeV) contain 70 pounds of depleted uranium.

SAnjei i,>

%e

0-? Z4I/&200e.

varian

__

DEPLETED UR^N4I0X COMPONENTS

ND 60C
l
CLNC 4, 4S, 6x, 4/100 6/100,

ClinaC 4,
Nc. of
Parts

Part ContaiiLng

1
2
2
2
1

Primary collimator
Upper jaw
Lower jaw
Face plate shield
Gun shield
C-un shield disks

4S and 6X
(pounds)
Unit Weight
68
31
53
8.5
18.5

ht
68
62
106
17
18.5

271.5
Total Pounds:

Clinac 4/100,
Part Containing
Uranium
Primary collimator
pper j'aw
Lower jaw
Face plate shield
Sun shield
Gun shield disks

No . of
parts
1
2

6/1oo and 60(C

(pounds)
Total Wht
Weiht
Unit
96
96
Tungstean replacement
Tungsten replacement
17
8.5
-

40

120
233

Total Pounds:

U-238
Element and Mass Number:
Ul-0.75% Titanium
Alloy
Metal
Physical Form:
Cgi/gm
3.6 x 10
Specific Activity:
Shielding
Purpose of Use:
uranium present.
than 0.2S weight percent of total
less
Isotope U-235 is
Material
in accordance with Radioactive
manufactured
been
have
machines
California
These
Inc. by the
issued to Varian Associates,
License Number 1025-43Services.
Department of Health

Accelerator _
; section
X

11

Light System

Cross Heir Line

1.
X

I
/-I

:1

Max Light and X32 a32 crn

Figure 1

.osceter

Collimator Head Assemhly

{(C-4 ,

SvAC

S.4 v 04

X )