Lead Replacement Solutions
For many decades, lead (Pb) has been the standard for shielding against radiation. Lead, however, is a toxic material. Its use is already banned in many applications, and it will soon be banned in even more.
For many decades, lead (Pb) was the best option for protecting against radiation.
It was cheap and plentiful, but it was toxic and highly-hazardous.
Manufacturing with lead is currently banned in Europe, and is on track to be banned in the U.S. As lead is phased out, other materials are needed to effectively and safely shield against radiation.
Our Answer to the Lead Issue
RPT partnered in the development of a proprietary combination of tungsten and polymers called PolyTungsten. PolyTungsten has the same density as lead, meaning it can shield radiation at the same level as lead. It retains its shape during use, and can be used in many applications. PolyTungsten is safe and reliable—it meets US, EPA, OSHA, and RoHS standards.
Injection molding of this product is challenging. Not many companies specialize in this field—RPT has pioneered the technology and methodology. We specialize in providing the highest levels of shielding possible.
Shielding and Guiding Radiation
Injection-molded PolyTungsten parts have been successfully used in:
- CT scanners
- X-ray machines
- Radiation therapy
- Nuclear medicine equipment
- Collimators
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives state that all medical devices must be lead-free within the next few years. This lead-free mandate is already in effect for manufacturers in other countries.
Many materials can serve as replacements for lead, but not many materials can shield radiation as effectively as lead. RPT has developed a safe solution that doesn’t compromise the radiation shielding properties.
PolyTungsten
RPT offers tungsten-filled polymers that block radiation as efficiently as lead—with none of lead’s potential dangers. This PolyTungsten material is safe and reliable—and works as well as lead.
This proprietary polymer provides radiation shielding and attenuation up to and including a one-to-one equivalency with lead. RPT injection molds PolyTungsten into myriad products and parts, and can be customized for any number of applications.
Safe Lead Replacement
We’ve extensively tested PolyTungsten, both on prototypes and with actual products. Our testing process proves that PolyTungsten is as effective as lead. It has no leakage or hot spots, and unlike lead, it is non-toxic.
Our solution is now being used by global medical device manufacturers. RPT PolyTungsten can be found in:
- X-Ray rooms
- X-Ray vests
- Medical cabinetry
- Medical imaging equipment
Radiation Shielding Markets
Radiation Protection Technologies (RPT) injection molds materials that shield against radiation. Our non-toxic, non-hazardous alternatives to lead can be used in numerous applications.
RPT serves several markets, including:
- Aerospace
- Medical imaging
- Radiation oncology
- Radiology
- Dental equipment
- Nuclear radiation
- Nuclear detection
- Nuclear power generation
- Industrial food
- Beverage packaging sterilization
- Munitions
- Counter weighting
RPT can provide radiation-shielding injection molded materials for any industry. As lead continues to be phased out of manufacturing, more markets and industries will be good candidates to work with RPT.