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1.1 This practice covers procedures for the use of thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) to measure the absorbed dose in materials irradiated by photons or electrons in terms of absorbed dose to water. Thermoluminescence-dosimetry systems (TLD systems) are generally used as routine dosimetry systems.

1.2 The thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) is classified as a type II dosimeter on the basis of the complex effect of influence quantities on the dosimeter response. See ISO/ASTM Practice 52628.

1.3 This document is one of a set of standards that provides recommendations for properly implementing dosimetry in radiation processing, and describes a means of achieving compliance with the requirements of ISO/ASTM 52628 “Practice for Dosimetry in Radiation Processing” for a TLD system. It is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO/ASTM 52628.

1.4 This practice covers the use of TLD systems under the following conditions:

1.5 This practice does not cover measurements of absorbed dose in materials subjected to neutron irradiation.

1.6 This practice does not cover procedures for the use of TLDs for determining absorbed dose in radiation-hardness testing of electronic devices. Procedures for the use of TLDs for radiation-hardness testing are given in ASTM Practice E668.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

4.1 In radiation processing, TLDs are mainly used in the irradiation of blood products (see ISO/ASTM Practice 51939) and insects for sterile insect release programs (see ISO/ASTM Guide 51940). TLDs may also be used in other radiation processing applications such as the sterilization of medical products, food irradiation, modification of polymers, irradiation of electronic devices, and curing of inks, coatings and adhesives. (See ISO/ASTM Practices 51608, 51649, and 51702.)

4.2 For radiation processing, the absorbed-dose range of interest is from 1 Gy to 100 kGy. Some TLDs can be used in applications requiring much lower absorbed doses (for example, for personnel dosimetry), but such applications are outside the scope of this practice. Examples of TLDs and applicable dose ranges are given in Table 1. Information on various types of TLDs and their applications can be found in Refs (1-10).⁷