Importance of Radiation Shielding and Materials Used

The considerations of radiation protection are multi-faceted. The radioactive materials which are used in the radiochemical processes are typically transported in a form from receptor site to processing facilities. These shielded containers are best used for the commercial freight transport of radioactive materials.

Moreover, the radiation shielding is something which can attenuate EM particles which makes up radiation. The ionizing radiation is the best type as it is different from other radiation types because the visible light is also a form of the radiation.

This means you must understand the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation as it prevents the needless fear like the people that are pointlessly scared of the microwave radiation that is seen in mobile phones or Wi-Fi.

Which rays can be blocked?

The radiation shielding against the ionizing radiation should be able to block the following,

• X-rays
• Neutrons,
• Ultraviolet light
• Alphas, the ionized helium
• Betas, the positrons, and electrons
• And, Gamma rays, the EM radiations.

The gammas and neutrons need shielding because the neutron being single nucleon has no charge, physically strike atoms for slowing down or reflected. The atoms are made of nothing in terms of the volume, so the denser is your material, the better it is.

This is where the water, steel, lead, and even the borated poly come in play. These three work together and attenuates neutrons, gammas, though you need a bit of water. On the other hand, when it comes to radiation protection materials, you must know they are used for different radiologic applications.

The radiation use is done for treating and diagnosing the patients which have significantly advanced the medical field and has saved many lives. This advancement in technology and sophisticated applications has improved the standardized treatment for patient benefits.

The radiation comes with the risks, the ones who make use of it, are trained inadequate safety from radiation. The major principle for mitigating the exposure of radiation is radiation blocking.

The radiation shielding materials are manufactured from lead. This is used in different applications like radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, industrial and nuclear shielding. There are three different types of materials that are used in the x-ray attenuate garments like skirts, vests, and aprons.

The lead shielding

The lead is a chemical element in the carbon group and is corrosion resistant, malleable and soft material. Its high density makes it the best for shielding against gamma rays and x-ray radiation.

The lead composite shielding

It is a mixture of lighter weight metals and leads. They are a proprietary mixture of the lead and other metals which attenuate radiation. This may vary by the manufacturer as they have developed proprietary blends which include tin, lead, PVC vinyl, and other metals.

Lead-free or non-lead shielding

This offers high-end protection levels as the non-lead shielding materials are best manufactured with the binders and additives which are mixed with the heavy metals which fall in the same category of material as a lead.

All the radiation shielding materials mentioned above works as the best in blocking radiation

Steven J. Stanek usually writes articles and blogs related to industrial Mechanism and Products, In this article he writes about radiation shielding materials and radiation shielding. He has been vehemently writing articles for ecomass.com.

Steven J. Stanek usually writes articles and blogs related to industrial Mechanism and Products, In this article he writes about radiation shielding.