Custom Radiation Shielding for NDT, Petrochemical, and Aerospace Industries

While radiation shielding is commonly associated with medical imaging, industries like non-destructive testing (NDT), petrochemical plants, and aerospace labs also rely heavily on advanced protection systems. In these high-stakes environments, custom radiation shielding is essential to ensure worker safety, maintain regulatory compliance, and protect sensitive equipment.

🔎 Why Custom Shielding Matters

Unlike a standard X-ray room, industrial and aerospace applications often require unique designs due to:

• Unusual geometries — large pipelines, turbine housings, or fuselage sections
• High-energy sources — gamma radiography or accelerators operating above medical ranges
• Harsh environments — petrochemical sites where shielding must withstand heat, corrosion, or confined spaces
• Mobility needs — portable barriers and shielding systems for field inspections

🧱 Lead Shielding Solutions

Lead remains the gold standard for industrial shielding due to its density and cost-effectiveness. Common custom applications include:

• Lead bricks for modular barriers in radiography test cells
• Lead-lined panels for permanent enclosures
• Leaded glass for safe visual inspection during testing

For long-term or high-intensity sources, lead offers unmatched attenuation at relatively low thickness compared to alternatives.

🌱 Lead-Free Alternatives

In environments where toxicity, weight, or regulations make lead less desirable, lead-free shielding provides an excellent solution. These composites use bismuth, tungsten, or antimony blends to achieve equivalent radiation protection without the hazards of traditional lead.

For more on the environmental benefits of lead-free materials, see our post "The Environmental Impact of Lead-Free Shielding Alternatives", or consider "Lead vs. Lead-Free Shielding: Which Is Right for Your Facility?".

✈️ Applications by Industry

NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)

• Portable lead-lined enclosures for gamma radiography
• Custom barriers for weld inspection and pipeline testing
• Mobile shielding curtains for on-site X-ray inspections

Petrochemical

• Shielded test bunkers for refinery component analysis
• Corrosion-resistant lead panels for offshore environments
• Custom-cut shielding for irregular vessels and reactors

Aerospace

• High-density barriers for testing composite fuselage sections
• Custom viewing windows for labs handling radioactive isotopes
• Lightweight lead-free solutions where mobility is critical

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Industrial and aerospace radiation shielding requires custom solutions tailored to geometry, energy levels, and environment
• Lead shielding offers maximum density and cost efficiency
• Lead-free shielding is ideal when toxicity, disposal, or weight are concerns
• Partnering with Intech ensures access to both options, along with expert design support

📞 Ready to Design a Custom Shield?

Intech specializes in lead and lead-free radiation shielding for industrial radiography, petrochemical, and aerospace projects. Contact us to request a custom quote or discuss your unique shielding requirements.