There are a lot of different areas, industries, and application for the use of radiation. While many people immediately associate radiation with x-rays in medical and dental offices and facilities, it is also used in research, testing, nuclear facilities, food processing plants, electricity generation as well as in specific engineering applications.
The amount of radiation present, as well as the types of radiation shielding used, will be user-specific. This includes not just the thickness of the shielding material but also its form and design. Recognizing where and how to use the different shielding options will be essential in the planning stages of any facility or use area.
Sheets of Lead
Lead sheets are particularly important in most types of radiation shielding for offices, research facilities and even in many industrial and processing applications. The sheets can be designed with different lead alloys and to specific thicknesses to provide the level of protection required.
Sheet material can also be used to create x-ray vests and smocks for both patients as well as for technicians. Many thin layers made of special types of flexible material is very practical, with the thicker sheeting can be easily applied to flat surfaces including walls, ceilings, and floors.
Lead Bricks
For very thick, durable walls, lead bricks that are smooth on all surfaces offer ideal radiation production. The smooth bricks can be configured and needed and moved to reconfigure as required.
There are also bricks for radiation shielding that are designed to fit together. This allows for the construction of small vaults and other types of highly protective, enclosed shapes that can be used when transporting material.
In addition to these two options in structural components of shielding material, there is also specialized lead-lined glass, window frames and even drywall materials that are essential in many medical, dental and research facilities.
