Lead, concrete, and tungsten are all efficient shielding materials with their own set of benefits and drawbacks, but one drawback is that they are opaque.
Lead x-ray glass or any clear lead acrylic are two frequent and reliable alternatives for providing safe shielding. From windows in NDT rooms to minuscule windows on certain tungsten vial shields, both materials are used in a range of applications.
While lead glass is often less expensive than acrylic, both materials are options for a shielding materials specialist when faced with the task of generating transparent shielding from radiation.
Following are the instructions for maintenance and cleaning of x-ray shielding type of lead glass products. LX glass is more vulnerable to staining than regular window glass due to its high lead concentration.
Keep the following installation and cleaning precautions in mind.
- During installation, avoid sticking anything on the LX glass surface. (If masking tapes are used in caulking, then remove it as soon as possible after caulking and clean any tape residue with alcohol.)
- To clean the LX glass, do not use a moist towel or water. If the LX glass ever becomes wet, wipe it off right away.
- When the LX glass will become dusty or fingerprinted, use alcohol to softly buff the surface with a clean, dry cloth such as gauze. After that, wipe the LX glass with a new, clean and dry towel to eliminate any lingering alcohol.
Radiation shielding glass by using lead glass used for x-ray window tarnishes more quickly than regular window glass.
Follow these cleaning and maintenance instructions:
- Use a dry, clean cloth to remove smudges from the glass. Using a moist cloth is never a good idea!
- Immediately wipe fingerprints off the glass with a clean, dry cloth.
- Alcohol should be used to remove smudges that are not removed by wiping them with a dry cloth. After that, wipe the glass with a new, clean and dry towel to remove any leftover alcohol.
- The glass must be dry at all times.
Lead acrylic is generally easier to ship because it is less prone to break when being relocated. It can be delivered flat and stacked at the same time. Because Leaded glass is delicate, it must be shipped on its side and cannot be stacked.
Also, this means that while installing a glass panel, specific precautions must be used. Lead glass can be laminated with a certain protective glass sheet on one or also both sides to provide shatter-resistant glass.
When creating shieldings that will be moved about, such as movable barriers or doors, impact and shatter-resistant laminated glass such as lead and LX premium are popular choices. 11 mm lead has the same kind of lead equivalency as 7 mm of ordinary lead glass due to the additional layers of laminated material.
Lead glass or any lead acrylic are two good options for shielding against ionizing radiation as leaded windows when you need transparent material. High-quality glass or acrylic can be utilized in barriers, windows, doors, and even medicinal isotope vials to provide excellent transparent shielding.