Since 1984, Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC) has been a world-leading neutron emitting source supplier and manufacturer of sealed radioactive sources. FTC designs and manufacture custom californium-252 sources for applications across a range of industries.

Our double-encapsulated nuclear containers are composed of inner and outer capsule chambers, and the Cf-252 isotope in wire form up to a maximum content level of 5 mg. Materials used for capsule fabrication include 304L stainless steel, Zircaloy-2, platinum, and other alloys. Components are constructed with our advanced processes including expert TIG welding and circumferential seal welding processes, holding a tolerance of ±10%. All californium-252 sources are custom made, within established size parameters.

As the most experienced company in our industry, we have supplied well respected institutions such as Westinghouse, the U.S. Military, Toshiba, and prestigious research universities such as the University of Missouri. We are a IAEA special form compliant manufacturer of Type A certified shipping containers for radioactive materials, and can ship to over 200 countries, excluding embargo list countries. We accept customer delivered depleted or returned sources and handle material disposition at no cost to the customer. All products and processes are held to rigorous industry standards including regulations set by organizations including Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ISO 2919, ASTM, and ANSI. FTC is licensed to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) with regulations consistent to the NRC. For more information about our custom californium-252 sources, or our other sealed radioactive sources supplier capabilities, please see the table below or contact us directly.

Source Manufacturing Capabilities
Processes Performed Design
Manufacturing
Circumferential Seal Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding
Components Source
Inner Capsule
Outer Capsule
Form Californium/Palladium Wire or Pellet
Isotope Californium-252
Capsule Material 304L Stainless Steel
Zircaloy-2
Metal Alloys
Outside Diameter 0.217 to 0.371 in.
5.51 to 9.423 mm
Outside Length 0.470 to 1.48 in.
11.94 to 37.59 mm
Inside Diameter 0.154 to .235 in.
3.91 to 5.982 mm
Inside Length 0.24 to 1.02 in.
6.10 to 30.6 mm
Maximum Content Up to 5 mg
Standard Tolerance ± 10%
Testing Services Pressurized Helium Leak Test
Alpha, Beta, Gamma Wipe
Inspection Services Double-Blind Inspected
Visual
Ring Gauge
Optical Comparator
Quality Assurance NIST Traceable
QA Manual
Additional Services Documentation
Integration
Product Design
Project Management
Reverse Engineering
Technical Support
Production Volume Prototype
Production
Lead Time Based on Inventory and Scheduling
Expedited Services Available
Industries Served Nuclear
Health Physics
Defense
Laboratory
Packaging
Transportation
Medical
Bulk Material (Coal/Cement) Analysis
Oil Well Logging
Power Plants
Homeland Security (Border Crossings/Airports)
Research Projects
Intended Applications Cf-252 Neutron Sources
Pins
Analyzers (PGNAA)
Scanners
FTC Shields
Type-A Casks and Shipping Containers
Reactor Start-Up Rods
Industry Standards 10CFR50 Appendix B
IAEA Special Form Certification
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC)
NIST Traceable
ISO 2919
ASTM
ANSI
97E6644
97E6X644
97E66543
97E66344

 

Standard Californium-252 Sources: Model 10 Series

The Model 10 series of neutron sources are single-encapsulated sources generally used as the inner capsules of multiply-encapsulated sources. The Model 10 sources have an outside diameter of 0.217/0.218 inches and are available in two lengths, the longer of which is equivalent to the Savannah River SR-CF-1X capsule. Capsule material may be either Type 304L stainless steel or Zircalloy-2. Closure is by tungsten-inert-gas (TIG) welding. The sources are designed to meet Special Form requirements even after infinite decay of the Cf-252 contents.

  • Single-encapsulated neutron source generally used as inner capsules of multi-encapsulated sources
  • The capsule material used is either 304L stainless steel or Zircaloy-2, and the closure is TIG welded
  • All sources are NIST traceable

All Model 10 sources are certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) as Special Form, and all have been approved for licensing purposes by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) for general use.

The Model 10 sources offer great flexibility in meeting customer outer capsule configuration and material requirements because Model 10 sources may be further encapsulated in capsules of arbitrary design, and still be licensed and transported as Model 10 sources.

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 10 DrawingDownload

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 10S DrawingDownload

Nominal dimensions for the Frontier Technology Corporation Model 10 and 10S sources are shown below:

Model 10 and 10S Source Dimensions

Dimensions Model 10 Model 10S
Outside diameter 0.217/0.218 inch 0.217/0.218 inch
5.51/5.54mm 5.51/5.54mm
Outside length 0.975 inch 0.470 inch
24.77mm 11.94mm
Inside diameter 0.154 inch 0.154 inch
3.91mm 3.91mm
Inside length 0.75 inch 0.24 inch
19.05mm 6.10mm
Maximum content: 10 milligrams 4 milligrams
Californium-252

 

Standard Californium-252 Sources: Model 100 Series

The Model 100 series of Cf-252 neutron sources are double-encapsulated sources which employ a Model 10 series source as the primary encapsulation. Model 100 series sources have an outside diameter of 0.370/0.371 inches and are available in two lengths, both of which are available with or without a 10-32 threaded stud on one end. The longer length version with the stud is equivalent to the Savannah River SR-CF-100 series capsules. Outer capsule material may be either type 304L stainless steel or Zircalloy-2. Closure is by TIG welding.

  • Double-encapsulated, employing a Model 10 series source as the primary encapsulation.
  • The outer capsule material is either 304L stainless steel or Zircaloy-2.
  • All sources are NIST traceable

Thirty-two versions of the standard length source available in various combinations of inner and outer capsule materials, orientations and with or without the threaded stud. Upon request, custom configurations are also available. All Model 100 series are certified by the USDOT as Special Form, and all have been approved for licensing purposes by the USNRC for general uses.

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 100 DrawingDownload

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 100S DrawingDownload

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 100NS DrawingDownload

 

Standard Neutron Source Model 100 SNS DrawingDownload

Nominal dimensions for the Frontier Technology Corporation Model 100 and Model 100S sources are shown below:

Model 100 and 100S Source Dimensions

Dimensions Model 100 Model 100S
Outside diameter 0.370/0.371 inch 0.370/0.371 inch
9.398/9.423mm 9.398/9.423mm
Outside length w/stud 1.48 inches 0.97 inch
37.59mm 24.6mm
Outside length w/o stud 1.28 inches 0.77 inch
32.5mm 19.55mm
Inside diameter 0.234/0.235 inch 0.234/0.235 inch
5.953/5.982mm 5.953/5.982mm
Inside length 1.02 inches 0.52 inch
30.6mm 13.2mm
Maximum content: 10 milligrams 4 milligrams
Californium-252

 

Custom Californium-252 Sources

Custom californium-252 sources are available in configurations that are completely designed for your specific application. Available variations in application include but are not limited to:

  • Handling rods
  • Pigtails
  • Cables
  • Lanyards
  • Wall thicknesses
  • Attachments (integration points)
  • Source capsule holders