Improving the X-ray Shielding Performance of Tungsten Thin-Film Plates Manufactured Using the Rolling Technology

X-ray shields used for medical purposes are manufactured using lead, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. However, as lead can be a major factor contributing toward environmental contamination, such as lead poisoning, a radiation-shielding plate was manufactured in this study using a tungsten plate, an eco-friendly material, through a rolling process at different temperatures. In addition, the shielding plate produced via the hot-rolling method exhibited better shielding performance than that of the plate produced using the cold-rolling method, and the multilayer structure was well formed, as indicated in the cross-sectional image analysis. Upon applying a peak voltage of 100 kVp to the X-ray tube, the shielding performance observed was 80% and 96% when the plate thickness was 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, it is expected that, in the future, the pure tungsten-based shield presented in this study will replace lead plates, owing to its superior standardization and reproducibility of the shielding performance.

Characterization and measurement of gamma radiation shielding of a new tungsten-lignin composite

This research has been carried on to analyze the capability of a new composite to be effectively used as shielding of gamma radiation. The preparation of a metal-organic composite formed by tungsten and Kraft lignin is presented. Samples have been characterized through X-rays and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The results led to the study of the different phase formations. The microscopic analyzes indicate that two different phases are present in the composite. The absence of oxidation in the process even after the temperature treatment imposed to form the sample has also been noticed. Measurements of the attenuation have been performed to study its ability to absorb gamma radiation. A sample of cobalt 60 (Co-60), for which the peak energies are at 1173 keV and 1332 keV, was used as a source of gamma radiation in the experiment of attenuation. The measured attenuation of gamma radiations when the composite is placed to act as a shield is only 16% smaller than the attenuation obtained for standard pure tungsten. This is a clear indication that the new metal-organic composite is suitable for the fabrication of devices dedicated to shielding radiation, with the advantage of being easier to manipulate.