Tungsten Polymers X-ray Absorption for Medical Devices

Tungsten polymers are used to produce catheters and other devices that are inserted into the body for diagnostic or interventional procedures are commonly filled with substances opaque to x-rays, thereby rendering the devices visible under fluoroscopy or x-ray imaging.

These fillers, or radiopacifiers—tungsten(typically dense metal powders)—affect the energy attenuation of photons in an x-ray beam as it passes through matter, reducing the intensity of the photons by absorbing or deflecting them, could be a suitable material for X-ray absorption for many radioan facilities especially medical devices. Because these materials exhibit a higher attenuation coefficient than soft tissue or bone, they appear lighter on a fluoroscope or x-ray film. This visibility provides the contrast needed to accurately position the device in the affected area. Image contrast and sharpness can be varied by the type and amount of radiopacifier used, and can be tailored to the specific application of the device.

Where Do X-rays Come From?

An x-ray machine, like that used in a doctor's or a dentist's office, is really very simple, but inside the machine is an x-ray tube, then X-rays come from that.

An electron gun inside the tube shoots high energy electrons at a target made of heavy atoms, such as tungsten material. X-rays come out because of atomic processes induced by the energetic electrons shot at the target. Tungsten material is a suitable choice for radiation protection, for more details, you could click X-rays protection.

Why Tungsten is Good Choice for Radiation Protection

Tungsten material could reduce the size and volume to have a better radiation absorption environment, which is much superior to lead, because of its high density rage from 17.0g/cm3 to 18.5g/cm3, then much denser. When you need to direct a specific amount of radiation to a targeted area, tungsten provides a control you need even under extreme, high-heat conditions.

Therefore, tungsten is popular for radioactive source containers, gamma radiography, source holders for oil-well logging and industrial instrumentation; also used widely for medical radiation protection such as in cancer therapy, syringe injections radioactive protection, X-ray examination, gamma knife operation, etc.

Tungsten Alloy for Efficient Radiation Protection

Lead is a toxic material that is harmful to the environment and humans. The onerous recycling process makes lead expensive despite the low initial procurement costs. Many enterprises are therefore looking for a suitable alternative for providing efficient radiation protection.

Whether in the world of medical or industrial X-ray technology, radiotherapy or nuclear power stations: Wherever high-energy radiation is used, it is vital to protect people against it. The denser the material, the better radiation absorption will be. That is why tungsten alloy absorbs X-rays and gamma radiation particularly well. Lead is still the most frequently used shielding material as it is very soft material, and mostly used only in combination with support structures made of steel.

Tungsten Alloy Shielding Machinability

Tungsten alloy is a material having difficulty in machining, especially cutting, so its machining is limited to grinding by use of a diamond wheel, etc. or electro-discharge machining. Although tungsten alloy mainly consists of tungsten, one of the hardest materials, it can be machined with a cemented carbide tool. Tungsten alloy shielding can be machined into various shapes by milling, end-milling, tapping, etc.

Lead-free Radiation Shielding Advantages

Lead has been considered to be the good ability in radiation shielding for decades. It’s cheap, easy to process, and provides very effective shielding. Yet growing health, safety and environmental concerns over the mining, processing, handling and disposal of lead have brought about an increasingly stringent regulatory environment regarding the sale and use of lead products.

There are three factors which determine the amount of radiation received from a source: time of exposure; distance from source; and shielding. Based upon the application, the optimized shielding by designing the material density and wall thickness has been found. Utilizing a composite of tungsten powder in a polymeric matrix, lead free radiation shielding materials provide device manufacturers and material processors with a completely lead-free, injection-moldable thermoplastic solution to overcome all regulatory concerns and satisfy radiation shielding needs.

Lead-free radiation shielding advantages of high density, small capacity, good machinability, environment friendly, etc. have led tungsten material more and more popular with the public.

 

Tungsten Polymer Sheet Applications

Tungsten polymer sheet applications are mainly for radiation protection as its high density but easily to be cut into different shape needed, which have been proven to be safe and have no effect on the human body. Tungsten polymer is a high-polymer material that possesses the properties of both plastic and rubber, so it is easily to be cut or holed with household scissors and formed into shapes with various curved surfaces.

Other radiation shielding products have been made mainly from sheets of metal such as lead, it also has ability of radiation protection, however, as it is lower density, making the shielding much heavier and very hard to handle, and there have been concerns about their effects on the human body. In contrast, tungsten polymer sheet comprised of soft thermoplastic lassoers integrated with an inorganic substance is mainly used for radiation protection applications. Tungsten polymer sheet applications are mainly as follows:

Radiation shielding and radiation-protective equipment;

X-ray inspection device for industrial and medical use;

Gamma-ray shielding material and substitute for lead fiber mat in nuclear reactor piping systems.

For more details, you could visit tungsten polymer sheet.