Tungsten polymer exhibits tungsten’s key qualities, including high density, excellent radiation absorption, non-toxic, and environmental friendliness. Consequently, tungsten polymer, also known as poly tungsten, emerges as the superior choice for crafting radiation shielding compared to lead. Poly tungsten is a composition of numerous different resins and tungsten powder, with the tungsten volume reaching up to 60% and contributing to 96% of the total weight.

When considering both price and properties, tungsten and lead stand out as the two most commonly employed elements for applications such as training bullets and radiation shielding. Comprehensive testing, encompassing prototypes and actual products exposed to a 120 kV X-ray source, has verified that tungsten-filled polymer products, varying in densities, offer radiation shielding and attenuation comparable to or even surpassing that of lead.

An advantageous aspect of substituting malleable lead liners with molded tungsten polymer is the potential elimination of the housing component. Successful over-molding and insert-molding of components within the tungsten polymer part have been achieved, reducing the overall number of required components.

Other than lining a machined metal housing with lead, the possibility exists to replace both the housing and liner with a rigid molded part of tungsten polymer. This alternative not only provides the necessary radiation shielding but also incorporates structural properties.