Scattering of the Exit Beam at the Patient–Cassette Front Material Interface by Ebony Wood

Abstract

As part of the search for substitute materials for use as
radiographic equipment accessories in developing countries,
scattering of the exit beam at phantom-material (simulating
the patient-cassette) interface has been investigated for Ebony
wood and aluminium, for comparison, using
thermoluminescent detectors (TLD). Results for significance
of independent samples showed that, there was no statistical
difference in the scattering of the exit beam towards the
phantom, by the two tested materials (P = 0.3) at the 95%
confidence interval, with changes in tube potential. Variation
of radiation field size however produced a marked difference.
This suggests the possible use of Ebony wood as a substitute
for aluminium as a radiographic accessory, subject however,
to further radiographic tests and confirmation.