X-ray shielding behavior of garment woven with melt-spun polypropylene monofilament

Abstract Lead aprons are widely used as protective means against hazardous X-rays during medical treatments. The aprons are rather heavy and uncomfortable and crack easily due to their high bending resistance during their use and storage. Although coating of textile fabrics with certain compounds provides protection against X-rays, coated garments are at disadvantage due to lack of flexibility and poor breathability, which in turn negatively affect clothing comfort. The principal aim of this study is to design and evaluate X-ray shielding behaviour of a comfortable and cost-effective textile-based protective garment. Samples of fabrics were woven using melt-spun polypropylene monofilament yarns of different diameters containing lead and tin particles. Morphology, X-ray attenuation capability, tensile, flexural and structural properties of monofilament yarns and fabrics were evaluated. It was concluded that attenuation capability of the samples increases due to increase in amount of added metal particles, metal particle atomic number and density. It was also found that attenuation capability was inversely related to diameter of the monofilament yarns. The results showed that the developed fabrics are potentially a suitable barrier against X-rays and can be considered as a satisfactory alternative for conventional X-ray protective garments.