LEAD FOR RADIATION SHIELDING
Lead
Shielding - Lead Metal is a primary material for Radiation
Shielding. Lead is highly effective Metal in providing
protection from various sources of radiation and has become a
standard in the design of Radiation Protection systems. Its
density makes it one of the preferred materials for high energy
radiation applications; X-rays, gamma rays and other nuclear
radiations.
Theoretically, almost any material can be used for radiation
shielding if employed in a thickness sufficient to attenuate the
radiation to safe limits. However, due to to its specific
characteristics discussed below, Lead is among the most commonly
used material. The choice of the shield material is dependent
upon many varied factors, such as final desired attenuated
radiation levels, ease of heat dissipation, resistance to
radiation damage, required thickness and weight, multiple use
considerations (e.g., shield and/or structural), uniformity of
shielding capability, permanence of shielding, and availability.
Lead in metallic form and Lead Compounds are used in various
forms for Radiation Shielding. Lead's high densities meet the
primary requirement of a shielding material and in certain
shielding applications.
The shielding of containers for radioactive materials is usually
Metallic Lead. Radioactive Materials in laboratories and Medical
/ Hospital industry are usually handled by remote control from a
position of safety behind a wall of Lead Bricks.
In hospitals X-ray machines are normally installed in rooms
shield with Lead Sheet / Lead Foil.
Properties of Lead for Radiation Shielding:
The properties of Lead which make it an excellent shielding
material are its density, high atomic number, high level of
stability, ease of fabrication, high degree of flexibility in
application, and its availability.
Forms of Lead Used for Radiation Shielding
- Lead Brick - Convenient, easily handled may be moved and re-used
- Lead Sheet – Plate and Slab Permanent shield installations
- Lead Shot - Where solid Lead is impractical to fill due to location, shape and
accessibility. The Shots offers convenient solutions for shielding
- Lead Wool - Lead Wool is used for filling deep cracks in a Radiation barrier
- Lead Pipe - Shielding of radioactive liquids
- Lead-Lined / Lead-Clad Pipe - Shielding of radioactive liquids
- Lead Powder - Dispersed in rubber or plastic for flexible shielding; also
mixed with concrete and asbestos cement
Lead and its alloys in metallic form and Lead compounds are used
in various forms of radiation shielding. Their high densities
meet the primary requirement of a shielding material and in
certain shielding applications Lead's high atomic number is also
important. The ease with which Lead can be worked is of added
value. The shielding of containers for radioactive materials is
usually metallic Lead. Radioactive materials in laboratories and
hospitals are usually handled by remote control from a position
of safety behind a wall of Lead bricks and X-ray machines are
normally installed in rooms lined with sheet Lead. Lead
compounds are a constituent of the glass used in shielding
partitions to permit safe viewing and Lead powder is
incorporated into plastic and rubber sheeting as a material for
protective clothing.
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