magnetron from microwaves - Page 2

Inside the magnetron the tungsten cathode contains 2% thorium 232 which is radio active this is what sets off the radiation scanners at the scrap yards.

The image below is thoriated tig welding electrodes which are much larger than the microwave cathode. The welder who has to sharpen the tip has much more exposure to this radio active material than you will ever experience.

I would think any welding shop disposing on the electrode nibs in the scrap bin would also have a rejected load, finding that nib would be like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Originally Posted by gustavus

Inside the magnetron the tungsten cathode contains 2% thorium 232 which is radio active this is what sets off the radiation scanners at the scrap yards.

The image below is thoriated tig welding electrodes which are much larger than the microwave cathode. The welder who has to sharpen the tip has much more exposure to this radio active material than you will ever experience.

I would think any welding shop disposing on the electrode nibs in the scrap bin would also have a rejected load, finding that nib would be like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Originally Posted by happyisthealero

how come the scanners never go off when I take microwaves to the scrapyards then???

Obviously the scrap yard scanners are not sensitive enough to pick up on low level radiation, yards that do not know where the radio active piece of metal is located choose to error on the side of caution banning the acceptance of microwave appliances. While other yards better educated will accept them once the capacitor has been removed on the other hand some do not care if the appliance is intact.

A hand held Geiger counter or x-ray film strip such as those worn by technicians who work with radiation daily may be more sensitive to low level sources of radio activity.

Now you know the culprit is located inside the ,magnetron.

You saw it first here on the scrap forum.

Originally Posted by gustavus

Obviously the scrap yard scanners are not sensitive enough to pick up on low level radiation, yards that do not know where the radio active piece of metal is located choose to error on the side of caution banning the acceptance of microwave appliances. While other yards better educated will accept them once the capacitor has been removed on the other hand some do not care if the appliance is intact.

A hand held Geiger counter or x-ray film strip such as those worn by technicians who work with radiation daily may be more sensitive to low level sources of radio activity.

Now you know the culprit is located inside the ,magnetron.

You saw it first here on the scrap forum.

Originally Posted by happyscraper

Personly I thing your wrong. I can take a whole microwave to the yard and they will refuse it but I can take a broke down microwave with megnetron still in it and they will take it. I have also broke down microwave and taken the magnetron out and put the magnetron in with shred by itselfe and they will take it. And I still say there is no radiation in a microwave. If you are wright about the radiation being low enough not to set off the alarm at the yard then why dosn't the alarm go off if you bring in a truck load? I've been doing this to long to drinking the cool-aid if you know what I mean.

Are you speaking to me, cool aid WTF are you smoking. I'm probably a lot older than you and i demand an apology from you show some respect.

I'm able to back up my statement via research

Have you considered using a spell checker, it's one of the many plug-ins available for your browser. If I can take the time to research and spell check my posts it's the least you can do.

For now why don't we agree to disagree??
I think here is a good explanation of what's going on with them (the ovens).

Microwave Oven Radiation

Originally Posted by happyscraper

Oh wait I'm not finished yet. First part of this thread you showed everyone how to take the magnetron apart. Then the second part you tell everyone that there is radio active rods in the magnetron. Yes I am talking to you Gus.

Scroll down to, Thorium Compounds Thorium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thorium dioxide was used to control the grain size of tungsten metal used for spirals of electric lamps. Thoriated tungsten elements are found in the filaments of magnetron tubes. Thorium is added because of its ability to emit electrons at relatively low temperatures when heated in vacuum.

Those tubes generate microwave frequencies and are applied in microwave ovens and radars.

I especially found this part interesting in that thorium is used in high quality camera lenses and that it can actually degrade the film.

Thorium dioxide is a material for heat-resistant ceramics, e.g., for high-temperature laboratory crucibles.When added to glass, it helps increase refractive index and decrease dispersion. Such glass finds application in high-quality lenses for cameras and scientific instruments. The radiation from these lenses can self-darken (yellow) them over a period of years and degrade film, but the health risks are minimal. Yellowed lenses may be restored to their original colorless state with lengthy exposure to intense UV light.

Yea I also use thoriated tungsten electrodes when TIG welding, not enough radiation to harm you, nor set off the scanners at the scrap yard is what I said.