Base – is the foundation of radiographic film.
- To provide a rigid structure onto which the emulsion can be coated.
- Flexible and fracture-resistant to allow easy handling but rigid to be snapped into a viewbox.
- 150 to 300 um thick, semi-rigid, lucent and made of polyester.
Dimensional Stability – the property of the base to withstand rough handling
Types of Base
Glass Plate – the original radiographic film base.
Cellulose Nitrate – a substitute material to the glass plate because of it’s unavailability and soon became the standard base.
Cellulose Triacetate – has properties similar to those of cellulose nitrate but is not as inflammable.
Polyester – is more resistant to warping from age and stronger than cellulose triacetate, permitting easier transport through automatic processors.
Characteristics
- Dimensional stability is superior.
- Bases are also thinner than triacetate base (approximately 175 um) but are just as strong.
