There are different materials that can be used as effective radiation shielding materials depending on the radiation source. Radiation protecting is the ability to reduce a wave’s or ray’s impact by avoiding or colliding contaminants through the shieldingmaterial. Charged contaminants may be attenuated by losing power to responses with electrons in the shield, while x-ray and gamma radiation are attenuated through photoemission.

1. All that you need to know about different radiation shielding
materials
Radiation is a serious safety concern in
many work environments such as atomic
power plants, facilities with commercial or
medical x-ray systems, radioisotope tasks,
and a variety of other working sectors.
Controlling radiation and eliminating the
risks it poses to worker safety and the work
environment is a critical undertaking
required by any workplace with equipment
that can produce dangerous levels of
radiation. Radiation shielding is essential to
protecting both human safety and the work
environment, in addition to protecting delicate components, such as electronics or film.
The process of controlling the effects and level of transmission of radioactive rays differs according
to the type of radiation. Typically, particle radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles, neutron
and cosmic radiation, is classified independently from electromagnetic radiation, such as alpha or
beta particles. Different types of ionizing radiation interact in different ways with shielding material.
The effectiveness of shielding
depends on the stopping power
of radiation particles, which
varies with the type and energy
of radiation as well as the
shielding material being used.
Different radiation shielding
materials are therefore required
depending on the application
and the type and energy of the
radiation. For example, high
atomic number (i.e. higher
density) materials are very
effective in shielding x-ray and
gamma ray sources, however,
they are ineffective or even worse, counter-effective, when attempting to shield neutrons or beta

2. particles. In contrast, particle radiation sources are much better shielded by lower atomic number
materials.
There are different materials that can be used as effective radiation shielding materials depending
on the radiation source. Radiation protecting is the ability to reduce a wave’s or ray’s impact by
avoiding or colliding contaminants through the shielding material. Charged contaminants may be
attenuated by losing power to responses with electrons in the shield, while x-ray and gamma
radiation are attenuated through photoemission. Neutrons can be made less harmful through a
mixture of flexible and inelastic spreading, and most neutron shields are designed as such. The main
kinds of radiation experienced in commercial tasks include:
• Photon Radiation (Gamma and X-rays): Photon radiation is considered gamma rays if produced by
a nuclear reaction, subatomic particle decay, or radioactive decay within the nucleus. If the radiation
is produced outside the nucleus, it is known as x-ray radiation.
• Neutron Shielding: Neutrons are contaminants that have neither a positive nor a negative charge,
and cannot directly cause ionization. However, fast neutrons will interact with the protons and
produce and scatter radioactive nuclei of the materials.
There are several factors that impact the selection and use of radioactive protecting components.
Concerns such as attenuation performance, strength, process ability, heat qualities, and cost can
determine the optimal shielding material for a particular application. Lead has been the
predominant radiation shielding material of choice to date due to its high atomic number and
shielding efficacy, its low cost and easy process ability. However, with increasing regulatory pressure
against the processing, sale and use of lead products due to its toxicity, industries are forced to look
elsewhere for radiation shielding solutions.

3. For many part makers, lead free thermoplastics have become a modern material solution for lead
free radiation shielding. Ecomass Technologies is the technological leader in lead free shielding
materials, providing thermoplastic shielding solutions to the medical, industrial and nuclear
industries for 15+ years. Injection moldable, these materials can be molded into complex shapes
and completely eliminate any regulatory concerns as they are 100% lead free and do not contain any
toxic constituents. Moreover, custom compounded to the exact density and formulation required by
the customer’s application, Ecomass delivers material solutions tailored to the customers’ exact
needs, optimizing the balance between cost and performance. Our goal is to relentlessly pursue
innovative methods and materials for radiation shielding purposes and to be recognized as the
leader in lead free radiation shielding technology.
Ecomass Technologies
4101 Parkstone Heights Dr.
Suite 380
Austin, Texas 78746-7482
USA
info@ecomass.com