In modern society, radiation is nearly ubiquitous, emanating from hospital radiotherapy equipment, nuclear power plant operations, radioactive experiments in research institutions, and detection instruments in industrial production—all posing potential harm to human health and the environment. Prolonged exposure to excessive radiation can damage human cells and trigger various diseases. As a result, radiation protection has become a critical concern across multiple fields. Among the various radiation protection methods, tungsten alloy shielding cans have emerged as a "star product" due to their exceptional performance, providing a robust "protective shield" for society.
I. Understanding Tungsten Alloy Shielding Cans
Tungsten alloy shielding cans, as the name suggests, are devices specifically designed to shield radioactive substances, made with tungsten as the base material and small amounts of elements like nickel, iron, or copper added. Tungsten typically constitutes over 90% of their composition, and it is this tungsten-dominated formula that imparts their unique properties. The fundamental principle behind their radiation shielding capability lies in their high-density characteristics, which effectively block and attenuate various types of rays to achieve protection.
Tungsten alloy shielding cans exhibit strong shielding performance. The effectiveness of radiation protection is closely tied to a material’s density—higher density generally translates to better blocking and attenuation of rays. With a density ranging from 16.5 to 18.75 g/cm3, tungsten alloy far surpasses traditional shielding materials like lead (11.3 g/cm3). This allows tungsten alloy shielding cans to demonstrate outstanding performance in shielding highly penetrating rays such as gamma rays. Under the same conditions, compared to lead-based shielding devices, tungsten alloy cans can achieve equivalent or superior shielding with a thinner profile, saving space and enhancing usability flexibility.
Tungsten alloy is an environmentally friendly material. Unlike lead, which is toxic and can pollute the environment during production, use, and disposal, tungsten is non-toxic and non-radioactive. Tungsten alloy shielding cans do not release harmful substances during prolonged use, making them eco-friendly and reducing pollution risks from the outset, aligning with modern society’s demands for environmental and safety standards.
Tungsten alloy boasts excellent mechanical properties and processability. With high hardness and strength, it can withstand external impacts and wear, while its good ductility allows it to be machined into various complex shapes, meeting diverse requirements for shielding can designs and specifications across different scenarios.
III. Diverse Application Scenarios of Tungsten Alloy Shielding Cans
In the medical field, tungsten alloy shielding cans, with their superior radiation shielding performance, are widely used for containing, transporting, and storing radioactive materials. In radioactive drug handling, they can safely store isotopes like iodine-131 and technetium-99m, with customizable wall thicknesses to match varying radiation intensities, ensuring long-term storage safety. During transportation, their portable design facilitates handling by medical staff, while leak-proof structures mitigate vibration risks, preventing radiation spread. In radiotherapy equipment maintenance, they serve as protective barriers during cobalt-60 source replacement or temporary storage of spent sources, safeguarding personnel. For handling radioactive samples, they can store radiation-containing waste, protecting laboratory staff. Compared to lead containers, tungsten alloy cans are non-toxic, more compact, and adaptable to various medical settings through flexible shape customization, strengthening radiation defense for patients, staff, and the environment.
The nuclear industry demands stringent radiation protection, and tungsten alloy shielding cans establish multiple safety layers. During nuclear power plant fuel replacement, tungsten alloy transport cans endure high temperatures and intense impacts, preventing radioactive material leaks. In decommissioning retired nuclear facilities, these cans play a pivotal role. When dismantling old reactors, workers place radioactive components into specially designed shielding cans before cutting and disassembly.
In the research field, radioactive experiments in laboratories often involve unpredictable radiation risks, and tungsten alloy shielding cans provide a solid protective barrier for researchers. As a core protective device, they safely store various radioactive isotopes in labs, using high-density materials to effectively shield gamma rays and neutron radiation, ensuring storage areas meet safety standards. During the transport of radioactive samples, portable cans resist vibration and impact, preventing leaks that could cause radiation contamination, and are suitable for field sampling or inter-lab collaborations.
Currently, as industries increasingly prioritize radiation protection, the adoption of tungsten alloy shielding cans is steadily expanding. In medical, nuclear, research, and industrial sectors, more enterprises and institutions are recognizing their advantages and adopting them for radiation shielding. However, the industry faces challenges during development. In terms of material performance improvement, researchers are working on developing new tungsten alloy materials by adjusting component ratios and optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance shielding, mechanical, and corrosion-resistant properties. In manufacturing process advancements, emerging 3D printing technology holds promise for producing complex-shaped shielding cans more efficiently.
