SFS SFS003 50 mm x 10 m YELLOW, RED, WHITE Reflective Tape  (Pack of 3)

SFS Radium Tape refers to a specific brand or type of luminescent tape that was originally manufactured with radium-based materials to glow in the dark. The "SFS" may refer to a particular manufacturer or line of products that used radioactive substances to create the glow effect, often used in industrial, military, and aviation applications. Here's a detailed description of SFS Radium Tape: General Description: SFS Radium Tape is a radioactive glow-in-the-dark tape that was used primarily in the mid-20th century for its ability to provide visibility in low-light or dark environments. The tape glowed due to the radioactive decay of radium, which interacted with phosphorescent materials embedded in the tape. The glow would last for hours after exposure to light. Key Features: Radioactive Luminescence: The tape contains radium (usually in the form of radium-226 or radium-based compounds) mixed with a phosphorescent material like zinc sulfide. As radium decays, it emits alpha and beta radiation, which excites the phosphorescent compounds and causes them to glow in the dark. Adhesive Backing: Like most tapes, SFS Radium Tape has an adhesive backing that allows it to be applied to various surfaces. This made it particularly useful for marking critical areas on machinery, aircraft panels, or instruments where low-light visibility was required. High Visibility: The glow from the radium tape made it highly visible in darkness, especially in environments like aircraft cockpits, military equipment, and instrument panels. The luminescence was visible without needing an external power source. Durability: SFS Radium Tape was designed to withstand the wear and tear of industrial environments, including exposure to moisture, heat, and mechanical stress. Applications: SFS Radium Tape was commonly used in: Aircraft instruments: Marking key instruments, switches, and dials that needed to be visible in low-light conditions. Military equipment: Marking targets, equipment, or areas that required constant visibility, especially in dark or nighttime conditions. Emergency lighting: Providing visibility for exits or critical systems in case of power failure. Clock and watch faces: Used for glowing markings on timepieces. Health & Safety Considerations: As with any product containing radioactive materials, SFS Radium Tape posed significant health risks due to the radiation emitted by radium. Prolonged exposure to radium or ingestion of radium particles could lead to serious health issues, including radiation poisoning and cancer. Workers who handled radium-based products in the past, such as the "Radium Girls" (women who worked in factories painting watch dials with radium paint), were exposed to high levels of radiation, leading to health problems and deaths. As a result, the use of radium in consumer products, including SFS Radium Tape, was largely discontinued. Modern Alternatives: Today, SFS Radium Tape and similar radium-based products have been largely replaced by safer alternatives, such as tritium-based glow-in-the-dark materials or phosphorescent (non-radioactive) materials. These modern alternatives provide similar visibility in low-light conditions but without the risks associated with radiation. Conclusion: SFS Radium Tape was an innovative product used for its glowing properties in the early-to-mid 20th century. However, due to the health hazards associated with radioactive materials like radium, its use has been phased out in favor of safer, non-radioactive alternatives.