The PXB2.5D portable X-Ray Betatron is designed to produce high energy ionising radiation for industrial radiographic non-destructive testing. Half Value Layer (HVL) for Steel is 20mm
The PXB2.5D portable X-Ray Betatron contains no moving parts (excluding cooling fan) and no circulating liquids, radiation outside the main beam is low, so safe working distances are moderate. After demarcation of dose rate boundaries, the betatron may be used at external sites or in fabrication workshops with little or no additional screening.
The PXB2.5D produces radiographs of very high contrast, sensitivity and resolution. The PXB2.5D is recommended for radiographic testing of weld joints and castings with a steel thickness of 30 to 120mm, concrete and other materials from 100 to 300mm. The irradiation field equals 350mm x 350mm @ 1M focal distance. In operation the PXB2.5D has no need for compensating filters that improves the uniformity of the radiation field. The PXB2.5D is far less costly than other NDT accelerators such as 'Linacs'
The PXB2.5D can replace cobalt isotope gamma sources which may not give acceptable quality and require costly periodic replenishment.
Compared to cobalt, the Betatron's shot time is drastically reduced and the extremely small focal spot size provides a sharper, higher quality radiograph, thus increasing production rate and profit.
APPLICATIONS:
JME’s range of Betatron systems have been supplied for a wide variety of applications within many sectors of the NDT industry. Examples of the work we have previously supplied systems for include but are not limited to the inspection of Large forgings, castings, valves, beams, ships hulls, pressure vessels, engine blocks, thick welds, composites, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges and cargo/security scanning solutions.
Peak X-Ray Output | 2.5MeV | |
---|---|---|
Dose rate @ 1m | >0.7R/minute | |
Focal Spot Size | 0.2 x 2mm | |
Duty Cycle Radiation Beam | 75% per hour | |
Beam Coverage | 350 x 350mm @1m | |
Radiographic Sensitivity | Down to 1% | |
Supply Voltage | Single-phase, 110V or 220V, 50/60Hz | |
Adjustment range of energy | 1.0 to 2.5MeV in 0.1MeV increments | |
Power Consumption | 1.0kW (4.5A @220V, 9A @ 110V) | |
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | ||
Accelerator (Radiator) | 440 x 300 x 150mm | 31kg |
Power Unit | 445 x 245 x 390mm | 20kg |
Control panel | 235 x 200 x 115mm | 1.5kg |
Pulse converter | 415 x 205 x 240mm | 10.5kg |

Exposure chart for Steel:
(Focal distance = 1M, D7 Film, Optical density 2.0 Charging 0.5Pb Film 1.0Pb.

E, MeV | 2.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
% Dose Rate | 100 | 60 | 30 | 15 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact JME Advanced Inspection Systems on +44(0)1502 500969 or use our Contact Form
ADVANTAGES of BETATRON (CYCLOTRON) | DISADVANTAGES of LINAC |
Light-weight and compact | Heavy and requires very large operating area. |
Designed for portable (mobile) and stationary applications |
Only suitable for stationary applications. NOT designed for portable use. |
Cheaper to manufacture, repair and maintain | Very expensive to manufacture, repair and maintain |
Higher image resolution due to a smaller focal spot size |
Lower image resolution due to a larger focal spot size |
More efficient power conversion | Less efficient power conversion |
BETATRON/CYCLOTRON
A Betatron Portable X-Ray System is a type of Cyclic Particle Accelerator, in some areas of the world, these systems are also referred to as a Cyclotron X-Ray System. Betatron systems include a Torus-shaped vacuum tube which house electrons as they are accelerated around a circular path using alternating current, and then ejected at a specific target once they have achieved the required velocity.
The main difference between the Betatron and Cyclotron systems is that the Cyclotron uses magnetic fields to bend the particles into a circular path and a pulsing electromagnetic field to increase the speed of the particles. The Betatron systems only use magnetic fields to increase the speed of particles.
For more information regarding the history and science behind the Betatron/Cyclotron, visit the relevant Wikipedia pages. wikipedia.org/Betatron wikipedia.org/Cyclotron