Radiation Shielding

Lancs Industries has over 20 years of experience in the direct manufacturing of leaded radiation shielding. Our production and operational expertise extends to the many different shielding situations requiring lead blankets. From small local site shielding projects to large scale refueling outages, we can advise on the best materials to use and can manufacture any configuration for lead blankets to best address your requirements. Lancs has manufactured over 80% of the lead wool blankets in use in nuclear power plants in the United States today. We also manufacture blanket shielding products from other materials, such as Tungsten.

Lead Wool Blankets

Lead blankets are constructed with lead wool or lead plate. Lead wool is the preferred material due to its flexibility in handling. Lead wool consists of fine strands of lead from .005 to .015 inch diameter, of varying length. Lancs uses lead wool products in accordance with Federal Specification QQ-C-40 Type II Grade C. We compact this interlaced wool in a random orientation to ensure consistent attention without streaming. Since lead wool is by nature less dense than lead plate, the mass equivalence and approximate dose rate reduction for various densities is shown in this table:

LEAD WOOL	APPROX. FINISHED	LEAD SHEET	% DOSE RATE
Density (Ib/sq ft)	Blanket Thickness (in)	Equivalent Thickness (in)	Reduction (60 Co)
10	1/2	1/8	20%
12.5	3/8	5/32	23%
15	5/8	3/16	26%
20	3/4	1/4	31%

Where greater shielding is required, multiple blankets can be stacked to achieve a linear reduction in dose rate.

All lead blankets are constructed by encapsulating the lead within an inner cover to contain the lead, and then a heavier outer cover for added protection and durability. Materials used for inner and outer covers can be vinyl-laminated nylon, urethane-laminated nylon, or silicon-impregnated fiberglass fabric (for high temperatures.)

Inner covers of Lancs’ lead wool blankets are sewn in a quilted pattern to prevent shifting of the lead wool when blankets are draped or hung. The materials used for inner covers are typically 10 oz. weight, with heat sealed seams or sewn seams as appropriate.

Outer covers are made using heavier weight material (typ. 18 oz.), with edge seams heat sealed or sewn as required. Perimeter grommets are installed on the outer cover border edge to facilitate job site placement or hanging from racks. Number 5 grommets (5/8” ID) at 12” spacing are standard. Grommet size, type and spacing can be as specified by your requirements.

Standard colors for vinyl-laminate materials are yellow or white, with others available upon request. Standard color for high temperature material is gray.

Note: Dimensions indicate size of lead wool “cake.” Outer border edge with grommets extends about 2” beyond lead on all sides. Lancs Industries also manufactures lead plate blankets in rectangular and gore (tapered) shapes upon request.

DIMENSION	DENSITY	10 Ib/sq ft	12.5 Ib/sq ft	15 Ib/sq ft	20 Ib/sq ft
1′ x 2′		LI-202	LI-212	LI-222	LI-232
1′ x 3′		LI-203	LI-213	LI-223	LI-233
1′ x 4′		LI-204	LI-214	LI-224	LI-234
1′ x 5′		LI-2025	LI-215	LI-225	LI-235
1′ x 6′		LI-206	LI-216	LI-226	LI-236

Radiation Shielding Products:


			LI-201 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-202 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-203 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-204 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-205 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-206 – Lead Wool Blankets LI-222 – Lead Blanket (Standard inner and outer cover)

LI-261 Wheeled Rack

6’ high x 3’ wide
One row of hooks on both sides, 4” spacing

Rad Pro Calculator
Rad Pro Calculator online performs many nuclear calculations that are useful to the health physicist, radiological researcher, radiochemist, radiation safety officer, health physics technician (HP) and other professionals in radiation physics and radiological engineering. It calculates, among other things, radioactivty units conversions (SI and US customary) and gamma emitter dose rate and activity.