Maya Ellison
Plastic is one of the most common materials in use today, and it is important to be able to detect it in certain situations. For example, in the medical industry, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between surgical tools and the surrounding tissue and bone. In the food industry, it is important to be able to detect unwanted plastic contaminants in packaged goods. So, does plastic show up on X-ray? The answer is that not all plastics are detectable by all X-ray systems, but some higher-density plastics can be seen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastics detectable by X-ray | Yes, but not all plastics |
| Plastics detectable by CT scan | Yes, but not all plastics |
| Plastics detectable by MRI | Yes, but only if the object is larger than 2mm |
| Plastics detectable by Ultrasound | Yes, but only if the object is larger than 3mm |
| Plastics used in medical applications | Yes, medical-grade plastics like PEEK and PPSU are detectable by X-ray |
| Plastics used in food industry applications | Yes, used to detect foreign objects during food quality inspection |
| Factors affecting detectability | Density of the plastic, mineral and chemical composition, size of the object |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic contamination
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them. Plastic waste has been found in many environmental niches, from Mount Everest to the bottom of the sea, and it can persist in these environments for hundreds of years. This has harmful effects on wildlife, their habitats, and human populations. Every year, about eight million tons of plastic waste escape into the oceans from coastal nations, and plastic pollution is altering habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being.
The throw-away culture associated with plastics has revealed the material's dark side. Single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced every year, and much of this plastic has a lifespan of mere minutes to hours before becoming litter. Many of these single-use products are not deposited in containers for subsequent removal to landfills, recycling centres, or incinerators, but are instead improperly disposed of at or near the location where they are used. This has led to landscapes littered with plastic packaging, which has become a common sight in many parts of the world.
The production of plastic has increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015, and it is expected to double by 2050. Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 20 years, and every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes. This has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations, and some governments have taken steps to limit or ban the use of plastic bags.
While plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent, the developed world, especially countries with low recycling rates, also struggles to properly collect discarded plastics. Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires a systemic transformation to achieve a transition to a circular economy.
Regarding the detection of plastic through X-rays, it is important to note that not all plastics are easily detectable by X-ray technology. The visibility of plastic on X-rays depends on its density, with most plastics having a density close to that of water. Higher-density plastics, such as PTFE (Teflon) and Viton, are more detectable by X-ray systems. In the medical and food industries, modified plastics with added contrast mediums have been developed to improve their visibility under X-ray and fluoroscopic radiation. These detectable plastics are valuable for quality inspection and surgical procedures, as they allow for a clear distinction between the plastic and the surrounding environment.
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X-ray detection technology
In medical applications, X-ray technology is used for cancer detection and diagnosis, bone fracture detection, tumour identification, and the detection of foreign objects in the body. X-ray imaging techniques such as mammography, computed tomography (CT), and single-frame X-ray tomosynthesis (SFXT) have improved the ability to diagnose and treat diseases. In addition, medical-grade plastics with added contrast media have been developed to improve the visibility of surgical instruments under X-ray radiation.
X-ray detection is also used in security applications, such as cargo and vehicle screening, and in industrial quality control and inspection. For example, X-ray detection systems are employed in food production facilities to detect unwanted particulate matter and foreign materials such as metal, glass, bones, and stones in packaged goods. The detection of plastic contaminants, however, remains a challenge due to the varying densities of plastics, with some plastics having densities similar to water, which is difficult to detect.
To address this challenge, companies like Peco InspX have designed X-ray systems capable of detecting higher-density plastics. Additionally, engineering plastics with X-ray detectable properties, such as Ensinger's Ultra Detectable family, have been developed to facilitate the detection of plastic contaminants in food and other industries. These multi-detectable plastics are valuable for equipment designers seeking versatile X-ray plastic solutions.
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Medical-grade plastics
Plastic is one of the most common materials in use today. However, not all plastics can be detected by X-ray systems. The ability of an X-ray system to detect plastic depends on the density of the plastic. The closer the density of the plastic is to that of water, the harder it is to detect. For example, X-ray systems can detect higher-density plastics like PTFE (Teflon) and Viton.
Some specific types of medical-grade plastics include:
- Polycarbonate (PC): An amorphous thermoplastic with good electrical properties, impact strength, toughness, and moderate chemical resistance.
- Acrylic or Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA): Used in intraocular lens implants, bone cement, cranial implants, and medical devices requiring impact strength, chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and clarity.
- Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK): A semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic with excellent chemical compatibility, low susceptibility to stress cracking, clinically proven biocompatibility, and high dimensional stability.
- Polyamide or Nylon: Known for its strength, durability, chemical resistance, anti-rust capabilities, and flexibility.
- Polyoxymethylene (POM-C): A highly crystalline thermoplastic with high mechanical strength, rigidity, dimensional stability, and excellent wear resistance.
- Polyethylene (PET): A common plastic with a density lower than water.
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Food industry applications
Plastic contamination in food products is a serious issue that can endanger the public and cost companies millions of dollars. X-ray technology has been a reliable method for detecting foreign objects in food products, such as metal, glass, and bone. However, standard X-ray systems have limitations when it comes to detecting plastic due to its relatively low density.
Some companies have developed advanced X-ray systems, such as Peco InspX, that can detect higher-density plastics. These systems are designed to inspect food and beverage containers for plastic contaminants, such as gaskets, o-rings, scraper blades, pens, and safety glasses. The density of plastics varies, with most being close to the density of water, which makes detection challenging.
To overcome the limitations of standard X-ray technology, Material Discrimination X-ray (MDX) has been introduced. MDX technology simplifies X-ray imagery and identifies materials by atomic number rather than density, allowing for the detection of foreign objects that were previously undetectable. This technology can be particularly useful for X-raying food products with small pieces, such as shredded cheese and salad mixes, where plastic visualization can be difficult due to a busy X-ray image.
In addition to MDX, other innovative solutions have been developed to enhance the detectability of plastic in food applications. For example, Ensinger's Ultra Detectable family of engineering plastics can be detected by typical in-line X-ray detection systems used in food production facilities. Furthermore, new food-grade plastics, such as TECAFORM® AH UD Blue and HYDEX 4101 UD blue, have been specifically designed for use in the food processing industry, where they can be easily detected by X-ray systems.
X-ray inspection equipment is also widely used for canned food products, providing superior contamination detection and quality assurance. These systems can detect physical contaminants within the cans, including metal, glass, mineral stone, high-density plastic, and calcified bone. The latest advancements, such as split-beam X-ray technology, improve detection accuracy by imaging each can from multiple angles, ensuring the safety and integrity of food-filled cans.
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Density and thickness
Plastic is a relatively low-density material and can often pass through standard X-ray detection. Most standard X-ray systems can only detect items with a higher density level than water, which is 1000 kg/m3. This means that some low-density materials, like plastic, are invisible to standard X-ray systems.
However, advanced X-ray systems can improve the detectability of plastics. For example, triple beam architecture works by splitting the ray into three beams to eliminate blind spots. Other advanced systems, like Material Discrimination X-ray (MDX), identify materials by their atomic number rather than density. MDX technology can detect plastic contaminants that other systems miss.
In the medical industry, it is often desirable to be able to distinguish between surgical tools and the surrounding bone and tissue being examined. To address this issue, some plastics have been modified to be more opaque than the surrounding substrate, making them more visible on X-rays. For example, Ensinger's TECAPEEK MT XRO (PEEK) and TECASON P MT XRO (PPSU) are medical-grade plastics with good visibility and radiography. A contrast medium added to these plastics allows for clear visibility under X-ray radiation, providing surgeons with a precise picture of their instruments.
In the food industry, X-ray technology is used to detect foreign objects during food quality inspection. Ensinger's Ultra Detectable family of engineering plastics, including TECAFORM AH UD blue (POM), HYDEX 4101 UD blue (PBT), and TECAPEEK UD blue (PEEK), can be detected by typical in-line X-ray detection systems used in food production facilities.
In summary, while standard X-ray systems may struggle to detect low-density plastics due to their relatively low density, advanced X-ray technologies and modified plastics can improve the detectability of plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of plastic. Some plastics are dense enough to be detected by X-rays, while others are too lightweight and flimsy to show up. Advanced X-ray systems, such as those using MDX technology, can improve the detection of plastics.
Detecting plastics is important in various industries, such as healthcare and food manufacturing. In healthcare, it is crucial to distinguish between surgical tools and the surrounding bone and tissue being examined or repaired. In the food industry, X-ray detection systems help ensure product quality and safety by identifying unwanted plastic contaminants.
Plastics can be modified to be more opaque, making them more visible on X-ray or fluoroscopic displays. Additionally, advanced X-ray technologies, such as triple beam architecture and MDX, can enhance the detection of low-density plastics.
