Radioactive Packaging

Radioisotopes are radiating radioactive nuclides of chemical elements. These radioisotopes must be stored and transported in particularly well sealed containers. And they are intended for use in the field of medical technology, space, nuclear or for other applications. Whenever you need a reliable radiation shield, we use just the right material and our packaging material absorbs radioactive radiation reliably. It ensures that radioactive nuclides are securely shut away. Our design and packaging meet the requirements of “International Atomic Energy Agency” regulations for the safe packaging and transport of radioactive material.

Due to their high densities, even thin sheets of our special material heavy metal alloys provide reliable protection against radiation. The half-value thickness of our material is significantly better than that of conventional materials such as lead. Due to the ductility and high melting point of our packaging materials which are able to withstand even the harshest mechanical, thermal and corrosive environmental conditions.

Packages of radioactive materials can be classified as follows:

⇒ Excepted package,
⇒ Industrial package Type 1 (Type IP-1),
⇒ Industrial package Type 2 (Type IP-2),
⇒ Industrial package Type 3 (Type IP-3),
⇒ Type A package,
⇒ Type B(U) package,
⇒ Type B(M) package,
⇒ Type C package.

Excepted packages :

Excepted packages may only contain limited quantities of radioactive material, which are so small that the potential radiological hazards that might pertain during storage or transport are very low. There are no test requirements for excepted packages and therefore it must be assumed that in any form of accident the package may fail completely and that the contents may be dispersed. The radiation level at any point on the surface of an excepted package cannot exceed 5μSv/h. To ensure that any radiation dose to members of the public would be insignificant and that any sensitive photographic material in close proximity would not be damaged.

Industrial packages :

Industrial packages are used to transport LSA and SCO material. There are three types of industrial packages (Type IP-1, Type IP-2, and Type IP-3) that are used for LSA and SCO shipments. The requirements that packages have to meet to be classified as industrial packages are not demanding. Many normal packages used in industry, such as steel drums or bins, could meet the requirements.

Type A packages :

Type A packages are intended to provide a safe and economical means of transporting a well defined, but significant, minor quantity of radioactive material. A total quantity of up to A1 special form radioactive material, or up to A2 if not special form, may be transported in a Type A package. They are required to maintain their integrity under the kind of abuse or mishandling which may be encountered in normal storage or transport, for example: falling from vehicles, being dropped during manual handling, being exposed to the weather, being struck by a sharp object, or having other packages or cargo stacked on top. The specific tests required for Type A packages simulate such events.

Type B packages :

The concept of a Type B package is that it should be capable of withstanding most accident conditions, without breach of its containment or an increase in radiation levels to a point that would endanger the general public and those involved in rescue or clean-up operations. In other words, the package could be safely recovered, but would not necessarily be capable of being reused.

While a Type B package is never required to withstand more than one accident, the design criteria imposed by the Regulations subjects the package to a series of mechanical and thermal tests with accumulative effects, each of which must cause the maximum damage. The requirements impose additional necessary design constraints over and above those imposed on packages that meet normal conditions of transport. The outcome of these constraints is to dictate greater structural integrity, more careful consideration of containment features, and the ability to protect from elevated temperatures.

For most modes of transport, a Type B package may contain any quantity of any type of radioactive material up to that allowed by its approval certificate. However, contents limits are applied if the package is transported by air. These limits are 3000 A1 or 100,000 A2 (whichever is lower) for special form material and 3000 A2 for all other forms.

For most modes of transport, a Type B package may contain any quantity of any type of radioactive material up to that allowed by its approval certificate. However, contents limits are applied if the package is transported by air. These limits are 3000 A1 or 100,000 A2 (whichever is lower) for special form material and 3000 A2 for all other forms. Type B packages may either be unilaterally approved (B(U)), or multilaterally approved (B(M)). Type B(U) is approved by one jurisdiction and then accepted elsewhere without further approvals, whereas where as type B(M) is approved by each country crossed by the shipment.

Type C packages :

In recognition of the fact that impact velocities from aircraft crashes can be significantly greater than those from surface modes of transport, the shipment of very large quantities of radioactive material by air requires the use of Type C packages. These are packages that must demonstrate the capability to withstand severe crush, puncture, and fire tests, as well as impact at the high speed of 90 metres/second. These features may all be encountered in a severe air accident.

Fissile packages :

In addition to meeting the requirements pertaining to the radioactive properties of the material, if fissile material is packed and being transported, the package must also be designed to ensure criticality safety under a variety of postulated conditions. Such packages require multilateral Competent Authority approval and they are given the additional designation as fissile packages. We strictly adhere guidelines of I.A.E.A. packing standards.