Introduction Sr-82 is produced for PET cardiac imaging at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF) with 100-MeV proton beams. During irradiation, the target material (RbCl, Rb) and Inconel capsule are ex-posed for extended periods to intense radiation, thermally and mechanically induced stresses, and chemicals. The structural integrity of the Inconel capsules is of crucial importance to containing the target starting materials and produced Sr-82. Unexpected failure capsules severely affects the reliability of the isotope supply chain and increases in radioactive emission and wastes, maintenance cost, and personnel radia-tion exposure. Knowledge of the structural integrity of a target before irradiation plays an important role in that defects may be identified and rejected prior to irradiation. In the cases of where a breach occurs, the location of the breach can be correlated with the inspected data. Material and Methods RbCl target failure: IPF has a successful irradiation history of RbCl targets at 230 A proton beam current since the facility commissioning in 2004. In 2013 run cycle, three targets irradiated in the medium energy B slot (35–65 MeV) [1] failed unexpectedly. The failure mode was the formation and propagation of cracks at the cor-ner radius along the edge of the target (FIGS. 1a-b). The common failure location was in the rear window relative to the beam direction and at the top of the target. These targets failed relatively early in the course of irradiation and typically after several cycles of beam loss and recovery. Possible failure mechanisms: A calculated von-Mises stress analysis at room temperature of an Inconel capsule under a static pressure load at 4 MPa shows a stress concentration at the corner radius and deformation of the window (FIG. 2). Additionally, a beam loss and recovery process causes the capsule windows to fatique especially at the corner due to a thermal and pressure cyclic loading. Furthermore, there is a thermal stress within the window due a temperature gradient resulting from nonuniform heating by the donut-shaped IPF beam [2]. Finally, Cl vapor in the void region or Rb liquid at the top of the target where the highest temperature of target material (RbCl or Rb) is expected may have contribution to a stress-corrosion cracking. An individual or a combination of these mechanisms aggrevate target failure if defects (voids, cracks, or thinning) exist. When the applied stress exceeds the ultimate tensile strength of Inconel, the target is likely to fail at these locations. Non-destructive evaluation methods: Digital radiographic images were generated using a Philips 450 x-ray source set to 150–190 keV and a Varian panel detector. Ultrasonic (UT) amplitude and time-of-flight (TOF) images were generated with a spherically-focused transducer operated at 50 MHz. Results Inconel capsule halves: Radiographic images of the front and rear parts of 7 RbCl A targets (~65-95 MeV) and 7 RbCl B targets prior to target assembly (FIG. 3). For target A halves (left two columns), there is some variation in thickness between the front and rear parts. Other than thickness variation, no other defects (inclusions, voids, cracks) was detected. For target B halves (right two columns), all rear parts exhibit thinning around their edges, whereas the front parts appear more uniform. UT TOF images were performed on 4 target A halves (155, 156, 157, and 159) and 7 target B halves (154-160). The rear window of 155A appears to thin out (~12.5%) near the rim on the right half. The front of 159A shows a similar thinning (~ 15%) near the rim on the left half. Although there is a thinning along the edges, all parts except 159A front have an average thickness within the stated specification (TABLE 1). Similarly to radiographic data, UT TOF data con-firm a thinning towards the edges of the window on most of target B parts. Only images of 155B are illustrated in FIG. 4. Significant thinning (15%) is observed on 154B (front & rear), and the rear windows of 155B, 157B, 158B, and 159B. Although there is a thinning, all parts have an average thickness within the stated specification (0.0120” ± 0.0005”) except for the rear windows of 154B and 155B. No inclusions or voids are apparent in any of the parts. RbCl filled targets: For comparison purpose, three B (130, 135, 147) and two A (137, 147) filled targets were evaluated. Radiographic data show no defects in the Inconel capsules while the RbCl pucks have numerous features (cracks, voids). The images of targets 130B and 135B illustrate the basic conditions of the RbCl pucks (FIG. 5). UT TOF images of targets 130B and 135B rear and front windows are illustrated in FIG. 6. Average thicknesses of 0.011–0.014” for both rear and front windows of all 5 targets are within the stated specification. However, there is thinning around the edge of the target 135B front window. Rb empty capsule: Radiograph of an unfilled Inconel capsule with and the fill tube is shown in FIG. 7. The predrilled 1-mm OD pinhole on the front window can be easily detected with the instrument’s detection limits of 30-μm pinhole and 5-μm crack. There is no other visible defect or thickness variation. This target was filled with Rb to characterize the reaction released Rb through the pinhole with water and its effects on equipment. Rb metal filled targets: Radiographs of two Rb metal filled targets show the front and side views of Rb distribution and fill tube (FIG. 8). Voids are visible throughout the Rb and small amount of Rb remaining in the fill tube. TOF results indicate the average thicknesses of 0.0201–0.0214” for both rear and front windows of 2 targets. Except the 2B front window, all thicknesses are within stated specification (0.020” ± 0.0005). UT TOF images for the rear and front of each target capsule are shown in FIG. 9. Moiré pat-terns are likely caused by a combination of stress arising in the manufacturing/filling process and some degree of measurement artifact. Target 1B windows exhibit uniform thickness across the bulk of the diameter, with the front window being slightly thinner overall than the rear. There is slight thinning observed near the edges on both windows. Thinning is more pronounced on the left side of the rear window than the right side of the front window. Target 2B shows a more pronounced distortion particularly on the rear window. The rear window appears to have a slightly thinner concentric region approximately one-quarter of diameter in. The front window displays good uniformity, with slight thinning along the inner edge of the left. Both targets 1B and 2B were successfully irradiated up to 230 A for 2 hours. Higher beam current and longer irradiation of Rb targets is underway. Conclusion Radiographic and ultrasonic methods were used in non-destructive evaluation of pre-assembly Inconel parts and fully assembled RbCl and Rb targets. These studies show the potential to identify defective parts and/or targets prior to irradiation, to provide useful information for improving target manufacturing process, and to enable better decision-making in managing risks of target failure. The results also have target quality assurance potential, enable comparison of target features and document data for future interpretation of target failure. The benefits of non-destructive evaluation include improved target reliability, reduced target failure rate, reduced revenue loss and increased productivity of Sr-82.

Introduction Sr-82 is produced for PET cardiac imaging at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF) with 100-MeV proton beams. During irradiation, the target material (RbCl, Rb) and Inconel capsule are ex-posed for extended periods to intense radiation, thermally and mechanically induced stresses, and chemicals. The structural integrity of the Inconel capsules is of crucial importance to containing the target starting materials and produced Sr-82. Unexpected failure capsules severely affects the reliability of the isotope supply chain and increases in radioactive emission and wastes, maintenance cost, and personnel radia-tion exposure. Knowledge of the structural integrity of a target before irradiation plays an important role in that defects may be identified and rejected prior to irradiation. In the cases of where a breach occurs, the location of the breach can be correlated with the inspected data. Material and Methods RbCl target failure: IPF has a successful irradiation history of RbCl targets at 230 A proton beam current since the facility commissioning in 2004. In 2013 run cycle, three targets irradiated in the medium energy B slot (35–65 MeV) [1] failed unexpectedly. The failure mode was the formation and propagation of cracks at the cor-ner radius along the edge of the target (FIGS. 1a-b). The common failure location was in the rear window relative to the beam direction and at the top of the target. These targets failed relatively early in the course of irradiation and typically after several cycles of beam loss and recovery. Possible failure mechanisms: A calculated von-Mises stress analysis at room temperature of an Inconel capsule under a static pressure load at 4 MPa shows a stress concentration at the corner radius and deformation of the window (FIG. 2). Additionally, a beam loss and recovery process causes the capsule windows to fatique especially at the corner due to a thermal and pressure cyclic loading. Furthermore, there is a thermal stress within the window due a temperature gradient resulting from nonuniform heating by the donut-shaped IPF beam [2]. Finally, Cl vapor in the void region or Rb liquid at the top of the target where the highest temperature of target material (RbCl or Rb) is expected may have contribution to a stress-corrosion cracking. An individual or a combination of these mechanisms aggrevate target failure if defects (voids, cracks, or thinning) exist. When the applied stress exceeds the ultimate tensile strength of Inconel, the target is likely to fail at these locations. Non-destructive evaluation methods: Digital radiographic images were generated using a Philips 450 x-ray source set to 150–190 keV and a Varian panel detector. Ultrasonic (UT) amplitude and time-of-flight (TOF) images were generated with a spherically-focused transducer operated at 50 MHz. Results Inconel capsule halves: Radiographic images of the front and rear parts of 7 RbCl A targets (~65-95 MeV) and 7 RbCl B targets prior to target assembly (FIG. 3). For target A halves (left two columns), there is some variation in thickness between the front and rear parts. Other than thickness variation, no other defects (inclusions, voids, cracks) was detected. For target B halves (right two columns), all rear parts exhibit thinning around their edges, whereas the front parts appear more uniform. UT TOF images were performed on 4 target A halves (155, 156, 157, and 159) and 7 target B halves (154-160). The rear window of 155A appears to thin out (~12.5%) near the rim on the right half. The front of 159A shows a similar thinning (~ 15%) near the rim on the left half. Although there is a thinning along the edges, all parts except 159A front have an average thickness within the stated specification (TABLE 1). Similarly to radiographic data, UT TOF data con-firm a thinning towards the edges of the window on most of target B parts. Only images of 155B are illustrated in FIG. 4. Significant thinning (15%) is observed on 154B (front & rear), and the rear windows of 155B, 157B, 158B, and 159B. Although there is a thinning, all parts have an average thickness within the stated specification (0.0120” ± 0.0005”) except for the rear windows of 154B and 155B. No inclusions or voids are apparent in any of the parts. RbCl filled targets: For comparison purpose, three B (130, 135, 147) and two A (137, 147) filled targets were evaluated. Radiographic data show no defects in the Inconel capsules while the RbCl pucks have numerous features (cracks, voids). The images of targets 130B and 135B illustrate the basic conditions of the RbCl pucks (FIG. 5). UT TOF images of targets 130B and 135B rear and front windows are illustrated in FIG. 6. Average thicknesses of 0.011–0.014” for both rear and front windows of all 5 targets are within the stated specification. However, there is thinning around the edge of the target 135B front window. Rb empty capsule: Radiograph of an unfilled Inconel capsule with and the fill tube is shown in FIG. 7. The predrilled 1-mm OD pinhole on the front window can be easily detected with the instrument’s detection limits of 30-μm pinhole and 5-μm crack. There is no other visible defect or thickness variation. This target was filled with Rb to characterize the reaction released Rb through the pinhole with water and its effects on equipment. Rb metal filled targets: Radiographs of two Rb metal filled targets show the front and side views of Rb distribution and fill tube (FIG. 8). Voids are visible throughout the Rb and small amount of Rb remaining in the fill tube. TOF results indicate the average thicknesses of 0.0201–0.0214” for both rear and front windows of 2 targets. Except the 2B front window, all thicknesses are within stated specification (0.020” ± 0.0005). UT TOF images for the rear and front of each target capsule are shown in FIG. 9. Moiré pat-terns are likely caused by a combination of stress arising in the manufacturing/filling process and some degree of measurement artifact. Target 1B windows exhibit uniform thickness across the bulk of the diameter, with the front window being slightly thinner overall than the rear. There is slight thinning observed near the edges on both windows. Thinning is more pronounced on the left side of the rear window than the right side of the front window. Target 2B shows a more pronounced distortion particularly on the rear window. The rear window appears to have a slightly thinner concentric region approximately one-quarter of diameter in. The front window displays good uniformity, with slight thinning along the inner edge of the left. Both targets 1B and 2B were successfully irradiated up to 230 A for 2 hours. Higher beam current and longer irradiation of Rb targets is underway. Conclusion Radiographic and ultrasonic methods were used in non-destructive evaluation of pre-assembly Inconel parts and fully assembled RbCl and Rb targets. These studies show the potential to identify defective parts and/or targets prior to irradiation, to provide useful information for improving target manufacturing process, and to enable better decision-making in managing risks of target failure. The results also have target quality assurance potential, enable comparison of target features and document data for future interpretation of target failure. The benefits of non-destructive evaluation include improved target reliability, reduced target failure rate, reduced revenue loss and increased productivity of Sr-82.