Samit X – Ray Developer Powder

STEP 1: Dissolve the contents of the smaller bag in 750ml.

STEP 2: Warm water and then add contents of the larger bag with continuous stirring. Add more water to make one-liter solution.

STEP 3: For x-ray films use the solution undiluted.
CAUTION: Use of latex hand gloves and/or frequent rinsing of hand is recommended.
Developer: hydroquinone (for high contrast) Metol or phenidone (for low contrast)
the developer itself gets oxidized and in the process reduces the exposed silver in the film to form metallic silver (black)
Metol was originally a brand name, and is short for “N-methyl-p-aminophenol”; it is not related to the word “metal” 2
Alkali: to maintain the pH (at 10-11) of the solution for optimum work of the developer
preservative: sodium sulfite, to reduce the oxidation rate of developer and dissolve the products into sulfonates (colorless)
thereby increasing its life
restrainer: potassium bromide, prevents the developer from acting on unexposed silver (thus preventing fog formation)
Optimum temperature (20-22 oC) is required for development.

if low temperature: increase the developing time to obtain a proper image
if high temperature: reduce the developing time
The usual developing time is 5 minutes at 29 oC when done manually. In automatic film processors, these factors are taken care of by the
processor and thus the image quality is more consistent.
Developing is followed by rinsing in water (for about 30 seconds) to remove the chemicals etc. before the film is fixed.
This is followed by washing under running water and then drying.