An inexpensive, high flash-point, low toxicity liquid scintillator of high efficiency

Studies were made of commercially available aromatic hydrocarbon solvents with high transparencies and flash points for use as scintillator solvents. The most suitable was found to be technical grade Shellsol A, consisting almost entirely (98.3%) of alkylbenzenes (predominantly the triethyl benzenes). The remaining paraffins (1.1%), olefins (0.3%) and naphthenic compounds (0.3%) apparently had no deleterious effects. This solvent had a scintillation efficiency about 95% that of toluene, and for the more energetic radiation there was a suggestion that it becomes slightly more efficient. (M.C.G.)