The study of crystalline etch products of CR-39

The study of etch products is highly desirable for economical re-use of etchants and for the better etching efficiency of detectors used in solid state nuclear track detection technique. A variety of inorganic and organic compounds, formed in the reaction of CR-39 detector with sodium hydroxide solution have been studied. Out of different possible compounds, a crystalline etch product was examined through macroscopic, microscopic and XRD studies. This was identified as mineral 'Thermonatrite'