Medical radiation shielding effect by composition of barium compounds

Shielding aprons were manufactured from barium sulfate as a potential substitute for the lead aprons used most commonly for medical radiation shielding. Six types of radiation shielding sheets made from a combination of tungsten, molybdenum, rubber and silicon with a barium sulfate base were manufactured, and their transmission doses were compared with those of a lead standard. In the process of producing the radiation shielding sheets, the particle packing and porosity of the materials, appropriate weight-average molecular weight to number-average molecular weight ratio and tensile strength were investigated to determine the optimal mixing process. The transmission dose was measured by applying a lead equivalent test method (KSA 4025, 2005) of X-ray protective supplies in the Korea Industrial Standard. The transmission doses of the lead standard with a thickness of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.35 mm, as well as the six types of radiation shielding sheet were obtained at a tube voltage of 50, 80, 100, 120 and 150 kVp. According to the results, the combination of barium, tungsten, molybdenum and silicon recorded a dose of a 0.3 mm lead equivalent and its particle packing and porosity were 28–36% and 12–22%, respectively. Nevertheless, satisfactory shielding ability could be obtained with a porosity >20% and particle packing of 30%. Therefore, it is a potential replacement for lead sheet and can be considered a proper medical radiation shielding sheet with good economic feasibility.

Highlight
► Radiation shielding sheet was manufactured using BaSO4 and a combination of tourmaline, tungsten, silicon and rubber polymer.
► The particle packing of barium tends to be related to the tensile strength.
► The tensile strength was most excellent in the sheets containing rubber.
► The shielding ability of the tungsten and silicon combination with BaSO4 was the same as that of a 0.3 mm lead equivalent.