Experience and innovation
Lead Radiation Shielding Blankets, Racks, & More
Lancs Industries has over 40 years of experience in the direct manufacturing of radiation shielding products. Our production and operational expertise extends to the many different shielding situations an operator or technician will encounter. 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. In addition to our lead shielding products, we also produce non-lead radiation shielding.
LEAD WOOL BLANKETS FOR RADIATION SHIELDING
Lead anti-radiation blankets are constructed with lead wool or lead plate. 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 attenuation without streaming. Since lead wool is by nature less dense than lead plate/sheet, the mass equivalence and approximate dose rate reduction for various densities is shown in this table:
| LEAD WOOL | APPROX. FINISHED | %DOSE RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Density (Ib/sq ft) | Blanket Thickness (in) | Reduction (60 Co) |
| 10 | 3/8 | 25% |
| 12.5 | 1/2 | 32% |
| 15 | 5/8 | 35% |
| 20 | 3/4 | 44% |
The mass equivalence and approximate dose rate reduction for various densities of lead plate/sheet is shown in this table:
| LEAD SHEET/PLATE | APPROX. FINISHED | %DOSE RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Density (Ib/sq ft) | Blanket Thickness (in) | Reduction (60 Co) |
| 7.5 | 1/8 | 19% |
| 9.25 | 5/32 | 23% |
| 11 | 3/16 | 27% |
| 15 | 1/4 | 35% |
We can produce shielding blankets made from both lead wool and lead sheet/plate. Lead wool blankets are more pliable than lead sheet.
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.
The approximate weight of the blankets we produce can be determined by multiplying the dimensions of each blanket by the density – i.e., a 1 ft. x 3 ft. blanket with 15 pounds of lead wool per sq. foot will weigh approximately 45 pounds. A 2 ft. x 3 ft. blanket with 10 pounds of lead wool per sq. foot will weigh approximately 60 pounds, etc.
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 | 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-205 | LI-215 | LI-225 | LI-235 |
| 1′ x 6′ | LI-206 | LI-216 | LI-226 | LI-236 |
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.
LI-200-P – Lead Plate Blanket
LI-200-GORE – Lead Plate Blanket, Gore Shape
LI-200-LS – Lead Snake
LI-200-LW – Lead Wool
LI-261 Wheeled Rack
Lead Blankets with radio frequency identification (RFID) chips
Lancs QuickRack
The Lancs Industries QuickRack is a versatile new tool for your ALARA toolbox. It provides users an inexpensive, lightweight, and alternative way to quickly hang shielding and protect workers from sources of ionizing radiation. Whether used as a shadow shield around a worker or to create a shield around a source, it allows the user to readily construct and deconstruct a temporary shield in just minutes with minimal resources. Where traditional steel racks may be too large or cumbersome to deploy, the lightweight and modular design of the QuickRack allows for easy setup, breakdown and moving to virtually any area of the plant – from narrow Pipe Chases and Valve Galleries to Steam Generator Eddy Current Platforms. It weighs less than 50 pounds total and is comprised of 2 pieces (25 lbs each piece), allowing for easy access into rooms with narrow doorways. The QuickRack saves the user time and reduces dosage, cutting labor costs for your facility. This tool has been recognized by INPO as strength in the shielding program at Braidwood Nuclear Plant.
LI-200LB – Lead Brick
Hooks
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, radioactivity units conversions (SI and US customary) and gamma emitter dose rate and activity.
Lead Radiation Shielding Solutions
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.