The Advantages Of Tungsten Alloy Shielding

With the rapid development of technology and the wide application of radiation technology, the harm of radiation gradually aroused people's concern. In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles（such as alpha particles, beta articles）through space or through a material medium. It is generally divided into ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation depending upon the energy of the radiated particles and can cause harm to humans. Long-term radiation exposure will cause the body unwell, serious can damage human body organs and systems, causing various diseases (such as leukemia, cancer, aplastic anemia, retinal disease, reproductive system disease, premature aging, etc.). The main methods of radiation protection include protection of time, distance and shielding protection. Wherein the shielding protection is to place a shielding which can effectively absorb radiation between the radiation source and the human body. The common used shielding materials are lead, tungsten alloy and boron carbide.

Boron carbide (chemical formula approximately B4C) is an extremely hard boron–carbon ceramic, and covalent material used in tank armor, bulletproof vests, engine sabotage powders, as well as multitudinous industrial applications. The ability of boron carbide to absorb neutrons without forming long-lived radionuclide makes it attractive as an absorbent for neutron radiation arising in nuclear power plants and from anti-personnel neutron bombs. Lead is a soft, malleable and heavy post-transition metal. It is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot, weights, as part of solders, fusible alloys, and as a radiation shielding. However，if ingested or inhaled, lead and its compounds are poisonous to animals and humans. Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates both in soft tissues and the bones, damaging the nervous system and causing brain disorders.

Compared to lead and boron carbide radiation shielding materials, tungsten alloy radiation shielding provides excellent density with small capacity. At the same weights greater density tungsten alloy can provide the same energy absorption as lead using 1/3 less material. When the weight is certain, greater density, and the thickness would be thinner. Tungsten alloy radiation could be made with thinner thickness but high absorption of radiation in great density. That is why tungsten alloy material is suitable for tungsten alloy radiation shielding.

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