6 August 2007 - GE Plastics has launched a new composite that it hopes will challenge the use of lead in X-ray shielding applications.
By incorporating tungsten - a material with a high specific gravity (HSG) - into nylon 6, GE Plastics has produced a composite that can be injection moulded overcoming some of the design limitations of thick lead-encapsulated glass.
Lead continues to present health and disposal challenges to manufacturers of radiation-shielding products, said Clare Frissora, market director, Healthcare, GE Plastics. We re very pleased to offer a new alternative to lead that can enable these manufacturers to design safer solutions, she said.
Manufactured in the US, the LNP Thermocomp HSG composite has already been used in the collimator of GE Healthcare s OEC 9800 X-ray machine.
GE Plastics said it is working with Thogus Products Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, to develop new grades of LNP Thermocomp HSG material that can match the specific gravity of lead (11.35).
Thogus, a family owned business that specialises in metal replacement, is also collaborating with GE Plastics on the development of an elastomeric grade, which offers high elongation and according to the company promises greater design flexibility.
By incorporating tungsten - a material with a high specific gravity (HSG) - into nylon 6, GE Plastics has produced a composite that can be injection moulded overcoming some of the design limitations of thick lead-encapsulated glass.
Lead continues to present health and disposal challenges to manufacturers of radiation-shielding products, said Clare Frissora, market director, Healthcare, GE Plastics. We re very pleased to offer a new alternative to lead that can enable these manufacturers to design safer solutions, she said.
Manufactured in the US, the LNP Thermocomp HSG composite has already been used in the collimator of GE Healthcare s OEC 9800 X-ray machine.
GE Plastics said it is working with Thogus Products Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, to develop new grades of LNP Thermocomp HSG material that can match the specific gravity of lead (11.35).
Thogus, a family owned business that specialises in metal replacement, is also collaborating with GE Plastics on the development of an elastomeric grade, which offers high elongation and according to the company promises greater design flexibility.
