ANNEALING RATES

Annealing ~ Time _ eTemperature

Green et al., 1986

Laslett et al., 1987

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This processo of annealing of fission tracks has been well investigated in the laboratory and emperical relationships of annealing have a form like thisÖ Time * e ^ Temperature. In other words, temperature is clearly the dominant term. For example, exposure at 400 degrees for 20 minutes will completely anneal tracks but at half that temperature (200ƒ), it will take 15 years.

In other words, we can sense quick pulses of very high temperatures, or extremely long exposures of moderate temperatures.