Lead, atomic number 82, is the most popular metal used for radiation protection due to its inexpensive cost. It works well in shielding against radiation because electrons stop x-rays, and lead has 82 protons and electrons, which is higher than many other metals. When using metals to stop x-rays from passing through, it is important to note that the thickness of the metal is just as important as the number of electrons in the metal. A metal with a lower number of electrons per atom, such as aluminum, could also be used, but it would have to be a lot thicker in order to provide the same level of protection.
Tungsten
Tungsten alloys, which form a solid microstructure of tungsten, protect against x-rays because of their high density. This means that tungsten alloys have a greater x-ray stopping ability than lead by up to 60 percent. Due to this greater x-ray stopping power, the metal can be manufactured into aprons and shields that are considerably less thick and bulky than those made out of lead. This is a newer technology than lead and is more expensive to manufacture, so it is currently not used as often. As technology continues to develop and tungsten alloy manufacturing becomes more common, the prices will likely drop and tungsten alloys will be utilized more often.
没有评论:
发表评论