Tungsten Alloy Shielding Plate

Leveraging the high density, excellent radiation attenuation properties, high-temperature resistance, mechanical strength, and eco-friendly characteristics of tungsten alloys, these shielding plates have become an ideal alternative to traditional lead materials in medical, industrial, nuclear engineering, and scientific research fields. Compared to lead, a tungsten alloy shielding plate can achieve equivalent shielding effectiveness with a smaller thickness, thereby reducing material usage and equipment weight. Additionally, it is non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, and suitable for long-term use.

A tungsten alloy shielding plate refers to a flat or sheet-like tungsten alloy component manufactured through processes such as powder metallurgy, rolling, or forging, designed to block or attenuate high-energy radiation. Its high density is its core advantage. Tungsten's density is significantly higher than lead's, enabling these plates to effectively shield gamma rays and X-rays with less volume or thickness, minimizing the harm of scattered radiation to personnel and equipment. Research indicates that by adding elements like boron or dysprosium, the neutron shielding capability of these plates can be enhanced, making them suitable for complex radiation environments like nuclear reactors.

The manufacturing processes for tungsten alloy shielding plates include:

Powder Metallurgy: High-purity tungsten powder is mixed with binders like nickel and iron, then formed into a plate-shaped blank through pressing, sintering, and heat treatment. This method is cost-effective and suitable for producing large-area, uniformly thick shielding plates.

3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing): In recent years, additive manufacturing techniques like Selective Laser Melting (SLM) have been used to produce customized tungsten alloy shielding plates, especially those with complex geometries or embedded structures. This technology enhances design flexibility and is ideal for small-batch, high-precision applications.

Due to their efficient shielding capabilities and structural stability, tungsten alloy shielding plates have wide-ranging applications, such as serving as the lining for medical isotope transport containers to provide large-area shielding, and being used in reactor shielding layers to block high-energy gamma rays and neutron radiation.

What is a High-Density Tungsten Alloy Shielding Component?

A high-density tungsten alloy shielding component is a functional part made with tungsten alloy as its core material, primarily used to shield against various types of radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays. It is widely applied in fields like medicine, nuclear industry, and industrial inspection.

From a material properties perspective, the density of high-density tungsten alloys typically ranges from 16.5 to 18.75 g/cm³, which is significantly higher than that of lead (11.34 g/cm³). This high-density characteristic causes radiation to interact more frequently with the material's atoms as it passes through, effectively absorbing or attenuating the radiation's energy via mechanisms like the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering. Furthermore, these tungsten alloy shielding components possess excellent mechanical properties, including high hardness and strength, making them resistant to deformation from impact or pressure and ensuring a longer service life.

Structurally, high-density tungsten alloy shielding components come in various forms, such as shielding blocks, plates, and containers, and can be custom-designed into different sizes and shapes based on specific application needs. For example, in medical radiotherapy equipment, they are machined into components that match the radiation source, effectively blocking extraneous radiation to protect medical staff and patients. In the nuclear industry, they are used as shielding materials around reactors or as equipment casings to prevent radiation leakage.

Compared to traditional lead shielding parts, high-density tungsten alloy shielding components are a more sustainable choice:

While lead offers good shielding, it is soft, easily deformed, and is a toxic heavy metal that can cause environmental pollution upon disposal.

In contrast, high-density tungsten alloy shielding components are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, non-radioactive, recyclable, and have excellent machinability, allowing them to meet the precise dimensional requirements of sophisticated instruments.

In practical applications, the performance of tungsten alloy shielding components can be further optimized by adding other elements like nickel or iron, or by adjusting the composition ratios. This balances shielding effectiveness with ease of manufacturing, making them a crucial material choice in the modern field of radiation protection.