A new lightweight, easy-to-manufacture composite material may prove to be a better alternative to lead and other heavy metals in radiation shielding, according to a report in AZO Materials.
Comparing the shielding performance of the composite material reinforced with bismuth trioxide particles to traditional radiation shielding materials, such as lead, steel, and concrete, reveal HVL values that lay between those of concrete and steel, with the added benefit of a much-reduced weight.
This makes the new composite material a lightweight, easy to manufacture and effective alternative to the traditional lead-based materials for shielding against ionizing x-ray and gamma radiation in a range of applications such as space exploration, medical imaging, and radiation therapy.
Read more in AZO Materials.
