Analysing of absorption characteristics of lead-free manufactured samples as alternative to lead apron materials using in medical x ray application for protecting radiation

Lead protectors are mostly used against to ionizing radiation using in diagnosis and therapy and they are considerably heavy. In addition, lead has a high toxicity. For these reasons, evaluation of radiation absorption capacities of lead-free manufactured materials as alternative to lead materials was aimed in this study. In this direction, tin, antimony, bismuth and tungsten were selected as alternative elements to lead because of their toxic characteristics, atomic numbers, densities, K-edge absorption energies and obtainable easily. Four samples were manufactured by mixing polymer material and 50 %, 70 %, 80 % and 85 % metal powder which includes selected elements. Absorption characteristics of these samples were measured against to primary and scattered x-ray at digital x-ray machines. Also, same measurements were repeated for 0,25 and 0,50 mmPb lead-free aprons to compare with manufactured samples.Evaluation result of data, % shielding effect of each sample was determined in the energy range of 50 ? 125 kV and their absorption capabilities were compared with lead-free aprons. Also, lead equivalent of samples were calculated. Radiation absorption capability of the first sample is lower than two reference aprons?. Radiation absorption capabilities of other samples are higher than 0,25 mmPb apron?s. But none of samples? performance reaches to 0,50 mmPb apron?s.