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Metals Used for Protection From X-rays

Protection from x-rays is necessary due to the possibility of getting radiation sickness from prolonged exposure. X-rays can change the ionization of atoms, which leads to electrically charged atoms that can create reactions within cells. DNA chains can be broken, cells may become cancerous or form other diseases, and birth defects could occur. X-rays are often medically necessary, but you can avoid undue risks by using certain types of metal to protect areas of the body that do not need the x-rays in patients and technicians.

  1. Lead

    • 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.

    Uranium

    • Depleted uranium, or Uranium-238, is also capable of being used in x-ray shielding materials. Uranium has the atomic number of 92, which means that it has a high number of electrons to stop x-rays from passing through it. Uranium is also a nonradioactive substance, which means that it automatically deflects radioactive waves that come into contact with it. It is approximately five times better than lead at absorbing x-rays, which means that the shielding protection can be thinner. Disadvantages to uranium use in x-rays include its price and its hazards, which include the fact that it can be used to help manufacture nuclear weapons.

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