Table 7.11. Directions For Preparing The Tissue-Equivalent Materials Described In Tables 7.9 and 7.10 (Hartsgrove and Kraszewski, 1984)


  1. Weigh all ingredients accurately.
  2. Heat water to 40°C.
  3. Add salt and bacteriacide while stirring.
  4. Add aluminum powder, sugar, or polyethylene powder (PEP).*
  5. Continue to stir and add hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC).
  6. Remove from heat.
  7. Continue to stir until mixture thickens.
  8. Let cool to room temperature.
When not in use, keep the phantom material in a closed container to prevent water evaporation. If the material does dry out, you can restore the original properties by adding water.

NOTES: 0.1% bacteriacide, such as DOWCIL 75 (Dow Chemical Co.), should be added to all of the formulas shown in the tables. One supplier of HEC is Hercules, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware.


* Add a drop of liquid soap to facilitate mixing the PEP.

This is a Department of Defense computer system for authorized use only. DoD computer systems may be monitored for all lawful purposes, including to ensure that their use is authorized, for management of the system, to facilitate against unauthorized access, and to verify security procedures, survivability, and operational security. Using this system constitutes consent to monitoring. All information, including personal information, placed on or sent over this system may be obtained during monitoring. Unauthorized use could result in criminal prosecution.

POC: AFRL/HEDM, (210)536-6816,  DSN 240-6816