Abstract
The shielding performance of shielding clothing is typically improved by increasing the shielding material content, but this lowers the tensile strength of the material. The weight and wearability of the shielding suit are also adversely affected. Important considerations when developing shielding fabric are thickness and flexibility to allow the wearer sufficient mobility. Insufficient thickness lowers the shielding performance, whereas excessive thickness decreases the flexibility of the garment. This study aimed to develop a composite shield that reproduces the shielding performance and meets the flexibility of the process technology. The new shield was manufactured by combining two layers: the shielding fabric fabricated from tungsten wire and a shielding sheet produced by mixing a polymer (PDMS) with tungsten powder. These two shields were bonded to develop a double hybrid composite. Compared with the existing shielding sheet (produced from lead equivalent of 0.55 mmPb), the shielding performance of the hybrid composite shield improved by approximately 17% on average and the tensile strength was 53% higher. The hybrid composite shield has a thickness of 1.35 ± 0.02 mm and delivers the same shielding performance as the lead equivalent. The new hybrid composite shield offers higher wearer mobility while shielding against radiation exposure in medical institutions.
Highlights
Radiation is used in medical institutions for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions
Shielding suits used for radiation protection in medical institutions in which radioactive isotopes are used restrict the mobility of the medical personnel who wear these suits
It was attempted to ensure mobility by improving the limitations of the physical properties of the shielding clothing used in medical institutions
Summary
Radiation is used in medical institutions for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions. The X-rays used for diagnostic purposes have a relatively low energy in the range 40–150 kVp and are mainly used in general imaging laboratories. High-energy gamma rays of 140 keV, 364 keV, and 511 keV are mainly used for nuclear medicine imaging tests [1]. The radiation emitted from isotopes used in nuclear medicine has unique characteristics, and medical personnel cannot artificially control its properties. As gamma rays are high-energy photons with short wavelengths and high frequencies, and as they are emitted in high volume, they can penetrate the human body; active defense is vital
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