High-purity lead for radiation protection products
Due to its high density and the resulting excellent ability to absorb ionizing radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays, lead has been the preferred material in radiation protection for decades. These physical properties enable efficient and reliable shielding with comparatively low material thicknesses - a decisive advantage over other materials.
Lead also impresses with its chemical stability, easy formability and long service life. It can be easily cast into large blocks and ingots, which are further processed by specialized manufacturers into custom-fit radiation protection solutions.
The right format for your process
Our large blocks and ingots are available in various sizes. We therefore provide the optimum basis for precise further processing into customized radiation protection products.
Typical areas of application in radiation protection
Our large blocks and ingots made of high-purity lead are used in numerous safety-critical radiation protection applications - wherever people, equipment and the environment need to be reliably protected from ionizing radiation:
In hospitals and radiology practices, high-purity lead is used for X-ray cabins, computer tomographs and mobile shielding. It reliably protects patients and medical staff from ionizing radiation and enables standard-compliant diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
At airports and in security areas, lead is used for baggage scanners and screening systems. It is also used in industry in test systems for non-destructive material testing to safely shield radiation sources.
Lead is used in the manufacture of radiation protection rooms, hot cells and lead castle systems for laboratories, nuclear power plants and nuclear research centers. It protects highly sensitive measuring devices such as gamma spectrometers and enables the safe operation of cyclotron systems.
Our lead serves as the basis for robust containers that ensure the safe storage and transportation of radioactive materials. These include large containers for nuclear waste as well as small transport containers for radionuclides that meet the highest safety requirements.
Legal framework and restrictions on use
Despite its outstanding properties, the use of lead is increasingly restricted by law in many areas due to its environmental and health risks. The EU directive REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006 regulates the handling of hazardous substances, including lead, with the aim of limiting its use to the unavoidable minimum.
However, lead remains an indispensable material in radiation protection, as alternative materials do not yet offer the same level of effectiveness and economy. In key industries in particular, there is still a clear need for high-purity lead for reliable and standard-compliant shielding.
Lead & sustainability
Lead is one of the most recyclable metals in the world. Around 99% of the lead used in Europe comes from recycling processes - a value that is rarely achieved by other materials.
99% recycling rate
Lead is almost completely recovered and reused without any loss of quality.
Resource-saving
Recycling requires up to 85% less energy than primary production.
Safe & controlled
Proven processes ensure that lead is recovered responsibly.
Indispensable
Key role for radiation protection and accumulator and battery technology.
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Your contact person
Maxim Richter
Head of Sales & Logistics
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Thanks to its high density, lead offers particularly effective shielding against radiation. It is easy to process, space-saving to install and is an economical solution compared to other materials.
Radiation shielding lead is used in medicine, industry and construction - for example in X-ray rooms, testing facilities or as an insert in walls and doors to protect people and sensitive technology from radiation.
Pure lead is very soft and can deform under load. The addition of antimony makes the material harder and more dimensionally stable. The alloy is less malleable and therefore more stable, e.g. for lead plates, aprons or shielding walls. Antimony reduces the creep of lead, i.e. the slow deformation under load or at higher temperatures. The more robust surface is more resistant to mechanical damage, which is particularly advantageous for movable protective systems. This means that the radiation protection remains reliable and durable even under constant load.