Mass spectrometric investigations into 3D printed parts to assess radiopurity as ultralow background materials for rare event physics detectors

French, Amanda D.; Anguiano, Sonia Alcantar; Bliss, Mary; Christ, Josef W.; di Vacri, Maria Laura; Erikson, Rebecca L.; Harouaka, Khadouja; Hoppe, Eric W.; Grate, Jay W.; Arnquist, Isaac J.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2022.167830

Mass spectrometric investigations into 3D printed parts to assess radiopurity as ultralow background materials for rare event physics detectors

Journal Article · Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2022.167830· OSTI ID:1967945

^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]; Christ, Josef W. ^[1]; di Vacri, Maria Laura ^[1]; Erikson, Rebecca L. ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

The mass concentrations of ²³²Th and ²³⁸U in several 3D printing filaments and printed polymer parts are reported as measures of their radiopurity. In order to minimize background signals in rare event physics detectors, radiopure polymers are necessary as dielectric and structural materials in their construction. New data are reported for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and two forms of polyetherimide (PEI, branded ULTEM 1010 and 9085). Data for starting filaments and both simple and complex printed parts are reported. PVDF filaments and simple printed beads, were found to have values of approximately 30 and 50 pg g^-1 for ²³²Th and ²³⁸U, respectively, while a more complex spring clip part had slightly elevated ²³²Th levels of 65 pg g^-1, with ²³⁸U remaining at 50 pg g^-1. PPS filament was found to have concentrations of 270 and 710 pg g^-1 for ²³²Th and ²³⁸U, respectively, and were not chosen to be printed as those levels were already higher than other material options. ULTEM 1010 filaments and printed complex spring clip parts were found to have concentrations of around 5 and 7 pg g^-1 for ²³²Th and ²³⁸U, respectively, illustrating no significant contamination from the printing process. ULTEM 9085 filaments were found to have concentrations of around 9 and 5 pg g^-1 for ²³²Th and ²³⁸U, respectively, while the printed complex spring clip part was found to have slightly elevated concentrations of 25 and 7 pg g^-1 for ²³²Th and ²³⁸U, respectively. All these results were obtained using a novel dry ashing method in crucibles constructed of ultralow background electroformed copper or, when applicable, microwave assisted wet ashing digestion. Samples and process blanks were spiked with ²²⁹Th and ²³³U as internal standards prior to dry/wet ashing and determinations were made by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In order to maintain high radiopurity levels, pre-cleaning the filaments before printing and post-cleaning the parts is recommended, although the printing process itself has shown to contribute very minute amounts of radiocontaminants.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1967945

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1906725

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-176029

Journal Information:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Vol. 1047; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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