Radiation shielding material, radiation shielding device, and method for manufacturing radiation shielding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiation shielding device (10) with at least one metal-containing layer (14a, 14b), wherein the metal content of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is more than 50% by weight, wherein the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness of less than or equal to 100, and / or the binder structure of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a density of less than or equal to 1.1 g / cm³. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a radiation shielding device, wherein the material of the metal-containing layer is firmly adhered to a substrate and / or a substrate material and / or a fabric web by a powder coating process and / or a calendering process and / or an injection molding process and / or a blow molding process and / or a laminating process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a novel radiation protection material and a radiation protection device, in particular for shielding X-rays, their production, and uses. The material is preferably used as a layer. The layer can also be a coating of another material (fabric or fiber).

[0002] Radiation shielding devices are used to protect people from harmful high-energy radiation. They are made of special materials that attenuate or block radiation. These devices are placed between the radiation source and the person being protected to minimize radiation exposure. Examples include lead aprons for patients and medical staff or leaded glass windows in X-ray rooms, which absorb and scatter radiation to reduce the risk to people outside the examination area.

[0003] In radiation shielding materials, suitable metals are often incorporated into a matrix. This matrix can also serve as a binder. A common binder for this is natural rubber, e.g., plastisol. As described in Wikipedia, plastisol is a dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer, optionally with pigments, fillers, and additives such as blowing agents, in a liquid plasticizer.

[0004] The use of plastisol has the disadvantage that the radiation shielding materials and devices are heavy and have a high Shore 00 hardness. Furthermore, articles made of plastisol are very difficult to recycle.

[0005] WO2022 / 002811 A3 describes the production of a metal-containing layer for the manufacture of X-ray aprons, which contains polyurethane as a binder, wherein the metal-containing layer is applied by screen printing.

[0006] In combination with screen printing processes, the use of polyurethane as a binder is cumbersome, as the starting materials for the polyurethane (and any additional additives) must be added individually to the screen printing process. Before printing, these components (starting materials and any additives) must be thoroughly mixed to create a reaction mass, which is then printed. The entire process is very complex, takes a long time, and requires special seals. Therefore, the production of these materials is very uneconomical, and it is desirable to find alternative materials and processes that avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] Ideal radiation protection materials from which radiation protection devices, especially X-ray protection devices (such as clothing and aprons), can be made should be light and flexible, i.e. have the lowest possible Shore hardness and at the same time have a sufficiently good radiation protection effect.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing radiation protection materials and devices that offer the aforementioned advantages and are also easy to manufacture. When the materials are processed into radiation protection clothing, wearing comfort should also be improved.

[0009] Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the radiation protection materials and devices were easy to dispose of and, in particular, recyclable.

[0010] The inventors have now found that the present invention overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art and is furthermore suitable for solving the stated problems.

[0011] Unless otherwise stated, the hardness of the binder structure of the metal-containing layer (and thus also its elasticity) is defined using the Shore hardness testing method and scale. Shore hardness testing is a simple and effective material testing method and a straightforward procedure for measuring the hardness of elastomers and deformable plastics.

[0012] Shore hardness is the resistance of a material to penetration by a conical body of a specific size under a defined compressive force. Depending on the design of the test specimen, different Shore hardness categories are distinguished (e.g., Shore 00 (very soft, elastic materials), Shore A (soft, elastic materials), Shore D (hard materials), etc.).

[0013] There is a correlation between the Shore hardnesses measured in the different categories and they can be converted into one another. Fig. 8 shows such a correlation / agreement of the values ​​of Shore 00, Shore 0, Shore A, Shore B, Shore C and Shore D. After the correlation in Fig. 8 For example, 50 Shore A corresponds to approximately 10 Shore D and 75 Shore A to approximately 20 Shore D and 20 Shore A to approximately 70 Shore 00. This correlation in Fig. 8 can be used according to the invention to convert Shore hardnesses measured in different categories into Shore 00 hardnesses.

[0014] Shore A values ​​are Fig. 8 Shore A is defined according to DIN ISO 7619-1. This standard is the most commonly used hardness testing method for soft, elastic materials. A sample thickness of 6 mm is required for a correct Shore hardness measurement. Measurements on thinner samples generally lead to inaccurate results.

[0015] Metals can be used in elemental, ionic or complexed form to produce the material and can be present in the material.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, the term "metal-containing" refers to a material that contains a metal in any form (elemental, ionic, or complexed).

[0017] For the purposes of this invention, the term "ionic metal-containing" refers to a material containing ionic metal compounds, i.e., the metal or metals are present as ions. Metal oxides, for example, are such compounds, since the metal is present in oxidized form rather than in elemental form.

[0018] For the purposes of this invention, the term "metallic metal-containing" refers to a material that contains metals in elemental form.

[0019] The unit "mesh" is used in connection with mesh size, primarily in English-speaking countries and primarily for sieves. At the same time, mesh also refers to the grain size of the sieved material. A sieve with five meshes per inch (25.4 mm) has a value of 5 mesh. However, since the thickness of the wire mesh must be taken into account, 5 mesh does not correspond to a grain size of one-fifth of an inch (5.1 mm), but rather to a grain size of 4.0 mm (i.e., 78% of 1 / 5 inch). A grain size of 10 mesh corresponds to a grain diameter of 2.0 mm. With large mesh numbers, there are deviations between grain sizes depending on the standard used. For example, 100 mesh (1 mesh every 0.254 mm) often corresponds to a grain size of 0.149-0.150 mm (59%), but depending on the intended use, authority and country, it can also be defined as 0.162 mm (64%, FEPA standard P100 for sandpaper), 0.129 mm (51%, FEPA standard F100 for abrasives) or 0.125 mm (49%, J100 according to Japanese standard JIS R6001).A comparison is then no longer possible without a corresponding table or precise knowledge of the respective standards. However, if an error of up to 25% is accepted, grit sizes between 5 and 100 mesh can be accurately estimated using 16.2 mm divided by the mesh value. In this publication, unless otherwise stated, the FEPA P100 standard for sandpaper is used to estimate the actual grit size.

[0020] In plastics processing, calendering refers to the shaping of heated, flowable masses into continuous sheets by means of at least two rollers. Before the plastic can be calendered, it must be brought into a flowable state. For this purpose, the polymer mixture is heated and melted in an extruder or kneading machine. Added additives and fillers are homogeneously distributed throughout the polymer melt. The plastic mass then flows via a conveyor belt into a rolling mill and is rolled out flat between the heated rollers of the calender in a continuous process. The layer thickness can be adjusted via the gap width between the rollers. After passing through the calender, the film is cooled on cooling rollers, taken up by take-off rollers, stretched if necessary, and either wound up or cut and stacked.The film can also be further processed by embossing, smoothing, printing, flocking, or metallizing. Finishing steps such as embossing and stretching are often integrated into the calendering line, eliminating the need for additional heating.

[0021] Lead is known to be used as a metal in radiation shielding materials, especially those suitable for protection against X-rays.

[0022] One aim of the application is to provide a novel recyclable material that meets the requirements.

[0023] A further aim of the invention is to reduce or completely replace the amount of lead and, in particular, to provide lead-free radiation protection material and radiation protection devices.

[0024] Lead is a high-Z material, meaning it is an element with a high atomic number or a high number of protons. Due to its high atomic mass, lead is suitable for shielding against gamma radiation and X-rays; it absorbs X-rays and gamma radiation very effectively. As a high-Z material, lead shields X-rays very well in the clinically relevant range of 50–150 kV, (almost) independent of the X-ray tube voltage. Lead is inexpensive and easier to process than even heavier, i.e., denser metals. Therefore, it is generally used for shielding in radiation protection, e.g., nuclear medicine, radiology, or radiotherapy. One example is the lead apron worn by doctors and patients during X-rays. Lead glass is also used for radiation protection. Protective material containing lead therefore has a stable lead equivalent in the 50–150 kV range. On the other hand, a high atomic number also means a heavier protective material.

[0025] According to the invention, in lead-reduced or lead-free versions of the invention relating to shielding against high-energy radiation, another metal or metal mixture can be used instead of or together with lead, selected from tungsten (T), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), and barium (Ba), alone or as mixtures and / or alloys, elemental or ionic (e.g., in the form of metal oxides) or in complexed form. Possible mixtures include, for example, tungsten and / or bismuth and / or barium and / or antimony and / or tin and / or their compounds, such as barium sulfate.

[0026] The lead equivalent varies depending on the X-ray tube voltage. The extent of the fluctuations in the lead equivalent depends on the materials used to replace the lead and the quantity used.

[0027] In practice, this means that radiation protection materials (e.g. radiation protection aprons) with lead-free or lead-reduced protective material usually only meet the specified lead equivalent value within the tolerances for an X-ray tube voltage range of 50 - 110 kV and are therefore only approved for this range.

[0028] In lead-free protective material, the metal lead is completely replaced by other metals, advantageously by tungsten (T), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba) alone or as mixtures and / or legates, in elemental, ionic (e.g. in the form of metal oxides) or complexed form.

[0029] In lead-reduced materials, a certain amount of lead is replaced by these other metals. These other metals usually have a lower atomic number than lead. This has the advantage that the lead-free or lead-reduced shielding material is lighter (for the same area), but low-Z materials do not shield as well at low and high X-ray tube voltages.

[0030] Radiation protection materials usually contain only lead in elemental, ionic or complexed form.

[0031] For the partial or complete replacement of lead for the production of radiation protection materials and their use in radiation protection devices, well-suited and preferred metals according to the invention are, for example, tungsten (T), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba) alone or as mixtures and / or alloys, elemental or ionic (e.g. in the form of metal oxides) or as metal complexes.

[0032] The inventors have discovered that thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic elastomer blends, as well as hotmelt adhesives, are suitable for the production of metal-containing materials, particularly as coatings, creating a stable bond. They are used as binders. Likewise, it has been discovered that the metal-containing material is highly suitable for coating fabrics or fibers, opening up a wide range of applications. The metal-containing material, or—when used in the form of a layer—the metal-containing layer, has a very advantageous low Shore 00 hardness, and the binder structure has a low density, resulting in a sufficiently soft and stable metal-containing material that is easy to process and also recyclable. The low density is advantageous because the weight of the processed products is low.The radiation protection property is achieved by the selection of metals in the metal layer. The inventors have found that it is particularly advantageous to use a combination of the appropriate metal and its metal oxide.

[0033] In addition to the well-known good radiation protection effect when using lead as a metal, the inventors have also found that a sufficient radiation protection effect can also be achieved with only a small amount of or without the use of lead and / or its compounds.

[0034] The invention thus also provides a lead-reduced material containing at least two of the following metals (in elemental form and / or in at least one ionic form and / or in complexed form), wherein the metals are selected from lead (Pb), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba), and radiation protection devices made therefrom, which are to be used in particular for protection against X-rays.

[0035] The invention further provides a lead-free material containing at least one of the following metals (in elemental form and / or in at least one ionic form and / or in complexed form), wherein the metals are selected from bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba), and radiation protection devices made therefrom, which are to be used in particular for protection against X-rays.

[0036] The invention also relates to the manufacture of radiation protection devices in which the material is present as a coating or the material is present in a single or multiple sandwich structure (e.g. as an intermediate layer).

[0037] Hot melt adhesives are solvent-free, polymer-based adhesives that are solid at room temperature. They are applied or processed in a hot, molten state. Generally, hot melt adhesives consist of a base polymer (which can be in various forms) and additives. These additives include resins (e.g., rosin, terpenes, hydrocarbon resins), waxes, stabilizers, antioxidants, and plasticizers. Other chemicals may also be present to impart other desired properties to the hot melt adhesive.

[0038] The base polymers of the hot melt adhesives usable according to the invention include: polyamides (PA), polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), atactic polypropylenes (a-PP), polyolefins, amorphous polyolefins (APAO), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers EVAC, polyesters, polyester elastomers (TPE-E), polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U), copolyamide elastomers (TPE-A), vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene block copolymers, e.g. SEBS, polyethylene and polystyrene.

[0039] Particularly preferred are hotmelts containing atactic polypropylenes (a-PP) or styrene block copolymers, e.g. SEBS.

[0040] Solvent-free, polymer-based hot melt adhesives can be processed quickly and cost-effectively. They are more tacky than solvent-based hot melt adhesives and emit fewer volatile organic compounds during processing.

[0041] The melting points of these hot melts are usually between 80 and 220 °C.

[0042] Hotmelts preferred according to the invention contain as base polymer atactic polypropylenes or styrene block copolymers, e.g. SEBS.

[0043] The inventors have found that during the production of the material, a metal concentration sufficient for the radiation effect is achieved if the metallic component(s) are pre-dispersed with a component of the elastomer or hotmelt and only after this pre-dispersion are the remaining components of the binder (e.g. hotmelts) added to the mixture.

[0044] In a variant of the process according to the invention, the metal and / or the metallic compound is predispersed with a-PP or SEBS and then the remaining components of the corresponding hot melt are added.

[0045] The inventive predispersion of the metal with the base component of the hot melt not only achieves sufficient concentration, but also gives the material its soft character. At the same time, no significant voids or aggregates form in the final product.

[0046] The metal-containing material can be used as a coating material. This metal-containing layer can be applied to a carrier, located on a carrier, or located between two carriers or carrier webs. The carriers coated with the composition according to the invention can be multilayered and have additional coatings (e.g., additional antibacterial metal layers can be present).

[0047] The use of hot melt as a binder is preferable and has the additional advantage that if the material is applied to at least one carrier (this can be a fabric, textile or similar), the carrier can be freely selected depending on the subsequent use.

[0048] This makes the use and processing of the radiation protection device made with the material according to the invention more versatile. Using microfiber as the carrier, for example, increases the comfort for the person wearing the radiation protection device (e.g., an X-ray apron). It is also advantageous if the carrier is easy to clean.

[0049] The backing no longer needs to be made of a very dense and tear-resistant material (such as polyester fabric), since hotmelt, unlike the commonly used plastisol, is non-toxic. Therefore, tearing of the backing does not lead to toxic exposure.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the invention therefore also relates to a radiation protection device comprising at least one metal-containing layer, wherein the metal content of the metal-containing layer is at least 50 wt.%, wherein the binder of the metal-containing layer is a hot melt adhesive.

[0051] If the metal-containing layer is arranged between two carrier layers, one of these carrier layers can advantageously be made of polyester. The other layer can be made of polyester or a fabric such as microfiber, TPU, PP nonwoven, or PE nonwoven. The carriers can be in the form of carrier webs, so that the radiation protection device is manufactured as a web.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment [A], the invention relates to a radiation protection material (in particular X-ray protection device) at least consisting of a binder and at least one metal, wherein the at least one metal in its elemental and / or in at least one ionic form is preferably selected from lead (Pb), tungsten (T), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba) in elemental, ionic and / or complexed form, wherein the metal content of the at least one metal is greater than or equal to 50 wt.% and the density of the binder structure is less than or equal to 1.1 g / cm 3< and has a Shore 00 hardness of maximum 100. The radiation protection material is preferably processed in the form of layers, wherein a layer is also understood according to the invention to mean a coating, ie a layer applied to a carrier or a fiber.The radiation protection material is preferably used to manufacture radiation protection devices (especially X-ray protection devices).

[0053] In an advantageous embodiment [B], the invention relates to a radiation protection material (in particular X-ray protection device) as described in embodiment [A), wherein the at least one metal is present in elemental form or in ionic form (e.g. as metal oxide, sulfate, carbonate), e.g. Pb, Pb 2+< ions, T, T ions, Bi, Bi 3+< ions, Bi 2 O 3 , Sn, Sn 2+< ions, SnO, Sb, Sb 3+< ions Sb 2 O 3 , Ba, Ba 2+< ions BaO or mixtures thereof.

[0054] In an advantageous embodiment [C], the invention relates to a radiation protection material (in particular X-ray protection device, as described in one of the aforementioned embodiments), wherein at least 25% of the metal content in the radiation protection material originates from metal oxide(s). Preferably, the proportion of the metal originating from metal oxides is at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 75% or 78%. The maximum limits are the following values: 100%, 95%, 90%, 80%, 75%, 60%, 55%, 50%, or 45%.

[0055] In an advantageous embodiment [D], the invention relates to a radiation protection material (in particular X-ray protection device as described in one of the aforementioned embodiments) wherein only one metal is used, or wherein at least two metals are used, wherein each of these metals is used in elemental and / or ionic and / or complexed form. Legates of metals are also possible.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment [E], the invention relates to the radiation protection material or the radiation protection device (in particular the X-ray protection material or the X-ray protection device) as defined in embodiment [A], wherein the binder is selected from hot melt adhesive, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer mixture and the binder structure of the metal-containing material or the layer has a density of at most 1.1 g / cm 3 < or whose density lies in one of the following ranges 0.85 g / cm 3 < to 1.1 g / cm 3 < , 0.85 g / cm 3 < to 1.05 g / cm 3 < , 0.85 g / cm 3 < to 1 g / cm 3 < , 0.85 g / cm 3 < to 0.95 g / cm 3 < , 0.85 g / cm 3 < to 0.9 g / cm 3 < ,

[0057] In an advantageous embodiment [F], the invention relates to a radiation protection material or a radiation protection device (in particular an X-ray protection material or an X-ray protection device) as defined in one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a holtmelt based on a-PP or SEBS is used as binder.

[0058] In an advantageous embodiment [G], the invention relates to a radiation protection material or a radiation protection device (in particular an X-ray protection material or an X-ray protection device) as defined in one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the ratio between metal content and binder content is within the ranges disclosed in this application, for example 70% metal content and 30% binder content.

[0059] In an advantageous embodiment [H], the invention relates to the radiation protection material or a radiation protection device (in particular X-ray protection material or device) as defined in one of the preceding embodiments, in which the binder structure of the material or - if the material is processed as a layer, of the metal-containing layer has a Shore 00 hardness in the range of approximately 25-95 g / cm 3< , in particular of approximately 25-65 g / cm 3< , of approximately 30-65 g / cm 3< or of approximately 45-80 g / cm 3<. Shore 00 hardness can also be as follows: less than or equal to 95 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 90 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 85 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 80 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 75 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 70 g / cm 3< , less than or equal to 65 g / cm 3< .Likewise, it may be greater than or equal to 25 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 30 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 35 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 40 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 45 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 50 g / cm 3 , greater than or equal to 55 g / cm 3 , or greater than or equal to 60 g / cm 3 .

[0060] In one embodiment [I], the invention relates to the radiation protection material or a radiation protection device (in particular X-ray protection material or device) as described in one of the preceding embodiments, in which the elemental metal has the following maximum grain size: 110 µm, 100 µm, 90 µm, 80 µm, 70 µm, 60 µm, 50 µm, 40 µm or when the minimum grain size is 40 µm, 50 µm, 60 µm, 70 µm, 80 µm, 90 µm, 100 µm.

[0061] If the metallic layer contains metals in ionic or oxidized form, the following maximum grain sizes are advantageous according to the invention: 10µm, 1µm, approx. 500nm.

[0062] In one embodiment [J], the invention relates to the radiation protection material or a radiation protection device (in particular X-ray protection material or device) as described in one of the preceding embodiments, in which the metal content of the elemental metal has the following minimum grain size: 140 mesh, 170 mesh, 200 mesh, 250 mesh, 300 mesh, 350 mesh, 400 mesh. Likewise, it is advantageous if the maximum grain size is 400 mesh, 350 mesh, 300 mesh, 250 mesh, 200 mesh, 170 mesh, 140 mesh.

[0063] According to the invention, the value is in a range of 300-350 mesh.

[0064] In one embodiment [K], the invention relates to a radiation protection device as described in one of the preceding embodiments, comprising one or more carriers (also in the form of carrier webs).

[0065] In one embodiment [L], the invention relates to the radiation protection material or the radiation protection device (in particular X-ray protection material or X-ray protection device) as described in one of the preceding embodiments, wherein, in particular when the material is used as a layer, the solid portion of the metal-containing layer comprises metal particles in elemental form with an average diameter in the range of 5-100 µm, 20-80 µm or 40-60 µm.

[0066] The radiation protection device then consists of a metal-containing layer applied to the carrier or sandwiched between at least two carriers. The carrier(s) can be freely selected depending on the application. Materials such as microfiber, TPU, PP fleece, or PE fleece are conceivable. If two carriers are used, the materials of the carriers can also be different. For example, it is conceivable to produce a radiation protection device with a sandwich structure in which the metal-containing layer is sandwiched between the PE fleece and the microfiber.

[0067] The material according to the invention represents a radiation protection device which is completely or partially processed into a radiation protection apron (preferably an X-ray protection apron).

[0068] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can be part of an X-ray apron or an X-ray apron.

[0069] According to the invention, the metal-containing coating can preferably be applied firmly using an extrusion process. These embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous for X-ray aprons. Alternatively or in addition to lead and / or bismuth, antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their oxides can be included in the metal-containing coating for radiation protection.

[0070] The present invention also has the advantage that seams can be subsequently welded, for example with a laminating process along the seams.

[0071] A further advantage of the present invention is that the material (i.e., the metals and the hot melt adhesive) is easily separable and therefore readily recyclable and reusable. During the manufacture of clothing or textiles, cutting residues can be melted down and recycled for processing.

[0072] According to the invention, the metal-containing layer comprises elemental metal particles, metal oxides, or metal salts. The carrier, i.e., the fabric layer or textile fabric, can also comprise a fabric layer whose fibers are coated with the coating according to the invention or provided with the metal-containing layer.

[0073] The invention further relates to the following embodiments: Embodiment 1: Radiation protection device (10) with at least one metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) with a metal portion and a binder structure (18), wherein the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is more than 50 wt. %, characterized in that the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness of less than or equal to 100 and / or the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a density of less than or equal to 1.1 g / cm 3<.

[0074] Embodiment 2:The radiation protection device (10) according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the binder of the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises a hot melt adhesive.

[0075] Embodiment 3: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness of at least 95, preferably of at least 90, more preferably of at least 85, more preferably of at least 80, more preferably of at least 75, more preferably of at least 70, more preferably of at least 65.

[0076] Embodiment 4:The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness of at most 25, preferably at most 30, more preferably at most 35, more preferably at most 40, more preferably at most 45, more preferably at most 50, more preferably at most 55, more preferably at most 60.

[0077] Embodiment 5: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that at least 25% of the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is in the form of a metal oxide, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55% or at least 60% of the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is in the form of a metal oxide.

[0078] Embodiment 6: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that a maximum of 80% of the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is in the form of a metal oxide, preferably a maximum of 75%, more preferably a maximum of 70%, a maximum of 65%, a maximum of 60%, a maximum of 55%, a maximum of 50%, a maximum of 45% of the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is in the form of a metal oxide.

[0079] Embodiment 7: Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises metallic metal-containing (=elementary metal) particles with a grain size of at most 110 µm, preferably of at most 100 µm, more preferably of at most 90 µm, of at most 80 µm, of at most 70 µm, of at most 60 µm, of at most 50 µm and of at most 40 µm.

[0080] Embodiment 8:The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises metallic metal-containing (=elemental metal) particles with a grain size of at least 35 µm, preferably of at least 40 µm, more preferably of at least 50 µm, of at least 60 µm, of at least 70 µm, of at least 80 µm, of at least 90 µm, and of at least 100 µm.

[0081] Embodiment 9: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises metallic metal-containing particles with a grain size of at least 140 mesh, preferably of at least 170 mesh, more preferably of at least 200 mesh, of at least 250 mesh, of at least 300 mesh, of at least 350 mesh, and of at least 400 mesh.

[0082] Embodiment 10:The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises metallic metal-containing particles with a grain size of maximum 400 mesh, preferably of maximum 350 mesh, more preferably of maximum 300 mesh, of maximum 250 mesh, of maximum 200 mesh, of maximum 170 mesh, and of maximum 140 mesh.

[0083] Embodiment 11: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a metal content or a solid content of at least 50 wt.%, preferably of at least 55 wt.%, more preferably of at least 60 wt.%, of at least 65 wt.%, of at least 70 wt.%, of at least 75 wt.%, of at least 80 wt.%, of at least 85 wt.%, of at least 90 wt.%, of at least 92 wt.%.

[0084] Embodiment 12:The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the solid portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises metallic metal-containing particles with an average diameter in the range of 5 µm to 100 µm, preferably in the range of 20 µm to 80 µm and more preferably in the range of 40 µm to 60 µm.

[0085] Embodiment 13: Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their ions.

[0086] Embodiment 14: Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) comprises O 2-< ions.

[0087] Embodiment 15:Radiation protection device (10) according to embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the proportion of bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their ions comprises at least 50 wt.% of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b), preferably at least 55 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, 65 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 75 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 85 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, at least 92 wt.% of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b).

[0088] Embodiment 16: Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is applied in a firmly adhering manner to a carrier or a carrier material or a fabric web (12, 12a, 12b).

[0089] Embodiment 17:Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is applied in a firmly adhering manner to a carrier or a carrier material or a fabric web (12, 12a, 12b) using a powder coating process and / or calendering process and / or a laminating process.

[0090] Embodiment 18: Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the radiation protection device (10) is formed in multiple layers, wherein the radiation protection device (10) is formed, for example, by a multi-stage powder coating process and / or calendering process and / or a process combined thereof.

[0091] Embodiment 19: The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the radiation protection device can be applied to a carrier material.

[0092] Embodiment 20:The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the radiation protection device has at least one coating layer, each with a metallic active coating structure and a binder structure binding the active coating structure, wherein the proportion of the active coating structure is in the range from 50 wt.% to 90 wt.% of the coating layer, and wherein the proportion of the binder structure of the same coating layer is in the range from 8 wt.% to 50 wt.% of the coating layer.

[0093] Embodiment 21: The radiation protection device (10) according to embodiment 20, characterized in that the at least one coating layer has a layer thickness in the range of 0.1 millimeters to 2 millimeters, preferably 0.9 millimeters.

[0094] Embodiment 22:Carrier and / or carrier material and / or fabric web comprising a radiation protection device according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0095] Embodiment 23: Radiation protection clothing (100), in particular an apron, protective clothing, surgical clothing, work clothing and / or glove, comprising a radiation protection device (10) according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 and / or one or more layers of a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to embodiment 22.

[0096] Embodiment 24: Textile in or on which a radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 is arranged as an insert and / or overlay and / or produced using at least one fabric web according to embodiment 22.

[0097] Embodiment 25:Protective lamella for an X-ray device, wherein the protective lamellas comprise a radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 and / or at least one carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to claim 22.

[0098] Embodiment 26: Method for producing a radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 and / or a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to embodiment 22.

[0099] Embodiment 27:Method for producing a material for a radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 and / or a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to embodiment 22, characterized in that the metal portion is predispersed with a first constituent of the binder and the metal portion predispersed with the first constituent of the binder is dispersed with the other constituents of the binder.

[0100] Embodiment 28: Method for producing a radiation protection device, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a fabric layer or textile fabric, and (c) applying a metal-containing material to the fabric layer or textile fabric to form a metal-containing layer, wherein the metal-containing material comprises a metal portion and a binder, characterized in thatthe metal-containing material is prepared for application to the fabric layer or textile fabric by the following steps: (b) dispersing the metal portion with the binder comprising a hot melt adhesive

[0101] Embodiment 29: Method according to one of embodiments 26 to 28, characterized in that the hot melt adhesive comprises an a-PP.

[0102] Embodiment 30: Method according to one of embodiments 26 to 29, characterized in that the hot melt adhesive comprises a block copolymer, for example SEBS.

[0103] Embodiment 31 Method according to one of embodiments 26 to 30, characterized in that the material is calendered with a transfer roller.

[0104] Embodiment 32:Procedureaccording to one of embodiments 26 to 30, wherein the material of the metal-containing layer is applied firmly by means of a powder coating process and / or calendering process and / or an injection molding process and / or a blow molding process and / or a laminating process.

[0105] Embodiment 33: Method according to one of embodiments 26 to 32, wherein the metallic layer is printed onto a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web.

[0106] Embodiment 34:Method according to one of embodiments 26 to 33 for producing the metallic layer of a radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 or a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to embodiment 22, wherein the metallic layer is applied to a part of a textile or an X-ray protection device and / or an overlay or an insert for the textile or X-ray protection device.

[0107] Embodiment 35: Use of the radiation protection device according to one of embodiments 1 to 21 or of a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web according to embodiment 22 as an insert or overlay for an X-ray protection device and / or textile.

[0108] According to the invention, the embodiments of the invention can advantageously be combined with one another. This applies to the above-mentioned embodiments of the invention as well as to the following embodiments of the invention.

[0109] Hotmelts are materials in which the elastic polymer chains can be processed as thermoplastic materials in a purely physical process combining high shear forces, heat, and subsequent cooling. Although no chemical crosslinking through time-consuming and temperature-intensive vulcanization, as with elastomers, is necessary, the manufactured parts still exhibit rubber-elastic properties due to their special molecular structure.

[0110] Further exposure to heat and shear forces leads to melting and deformation of the material. This means that hot melts are less thermally and dynamically resilient than standard elastomers. Hot melts are not a "successor product" to conventional elastomers, but rather a complement that combines the processing advantages of thermoplastic materials (thermoplastics) with the material properties of elastomers.

[0111] Hot melt adhesives can be extruded, injection molded, or blow molded. Adherent application can be achieved by nozzles, extrusion, melt blowing, spiral spraying, screen printing, and slot die coating.

[0112] It has been found that it is particularly advantageous to apply the hot melt using a powder coating process.

[0113] For the purposes of the present invention, a powder coating process is understood to mean a process in which the powder is evenly sprinkled onto a substrate. The powder is then heated until it melts. A fabric layer is then applied under pressure and temperature, for example, in a gap between a pair of rollers.

[0114] The hot melt adhesive can advantageously be provided in the form of microgranules. It has been found that it is advantageous to use microgranules with a particle size of no more than 1000 µm in at least one spatial dimension.

[0115] Preferably, the particle size of such hotmelt microgranules, which has at least one spatial dimension, is in a range from 10 µm to 1000 µm, or in a range from 50 µm to 500 µm, or in a range from 0.1 µm to 300 µm, or in a range from 20 µm to 400 µm.

[0116] The use of such microgranules results in time and cost advantages, especially because they have very good flow properties, excellent melting properties and also enable dust-free processing.

[0117] Alternatively or in addition to powder coating, a hot melt adhesive can also be applied to a carrier layer using a calendering process. The hot melt adhesive can also be extruded. Alternatively or additionally, the hot melt adhesive can be injection molded. Alternatively or additionally, the hot melt adhesive can be blow molded.

[0118] According to the invention, silicone can be used as a (further) binder in addition to the hot melt, particularly in the injection molding process.

[0119] The hot melts can be divided into the following product groups, whereby a distinction is made between copolymers and elastomer alloys according to their internal structure.

[0120] Copolymers are used either as random or block copolymers. The former consist of a crystallizing (and thus physically cross-linking) main polymer, such as polyethylene, whose degree of crystallization is reduced by a comonomer, such as vinyl acetate, randomly incorporated along the chain, to such an extent that the crystallites (= the hard phase) in the final product (e.g., EVA) no longer have direct contact. They then act as isolated cross-linking points, as in conventional elastomers.

[0121] The above-mentioned special properties of hot melts as binders for the metallic layer surprisingly enable the introduction of the high metal content into the metallic layer and the application of the metallic layer by means of a powder coating process or calendering process or an extrusion process or an injection molding process (if the carrier material is previously introduced into the mold) or a blow molding process onto a carrier material.

[0122] The use of the metals listed in this application, alone or in combination with elemental lead or lead compounds, reduces the weight of the radiation protection material or device compared to the use of lead and / or lead compounds alone.

[0123] According to the invention, the metal-containing coating may comprise at least lead and / or tungsten and / or bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their oxides, so that the metal-containing coating can be used as a radiation protection device for X-ray radiation.

[0124] The metals or their oxides can be used alone or in combination. Alternatively or in addition to bismuth, antimony can be included in the metal-containing coating for radiation protection. Additionally, copper, zinc, or tin, and their ions or oxides, can (but are not required) be included in the metal-containing coating or in another metal-containing coating to ensure sterility against contaminants.

[0125] According to the invention, the material according to the invention or, if it is used as a layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating, can have a metal content or a solid content of at most 80% by weight, 75% by weight, 70% by weight, 69% by weight, or 68% by weight.

[0126] Likewise, the material according to the invention or, if used in layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating, may have a metal content or a solid content of at least 50 wt.%, 55 wt.%, 60 wt.%, 65 wt.%, 70 wt.%, 75 wt.%, 80 wt.%, 85 wt.%, 90 wt.%, 92 wt.% or 93 wt.%.

[0127] Or the material according to the invention or, if used as a layered form, the metal-containing layer or coating, has a metal content or a solid content of a maximum of 93 wt.%, 90 wt.% or 85 wt.%

[0128] For the purposes of the present invention, the solid content is understood to mean the portion which forms the metal-containing coating after setting.

[0129] The solid content therefore also includes the O 2-< ions and the counter ions if metal salts or complexed metal compounds are used.

[0130] According to the invention, the material according to the invention or, when used in layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating may comprise elemental bismuth and / or its ions.

[0131] According to the invention, the material according to the invention or, when used in layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating may comprise elemental antimony and / or its ions.

[0132] According to the invention, the material according to the invention or, if used in layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating may comprise elemental tin and / or its ions.

[0133] According to the invention, the material according to the invention or, if used in layer form, the metal-containing layer or coating may comprise elemental barium and / or its ions.

[0134] If the layer is used as a coating of a material as described here, then it can be formed over the entire surface of at least one side of the material, i.e. the coating covers the outside and / or inside over the entire surface.

[0135] Alternatively, the coating can cover only a partial area or areas, or a section or sections of the exterior and / or interior. The covered areas or sections should preferably be selected such that the areas or sections on both sides complement each other to provide full-surface shielding, which is required for the intended use of the radiation protection device.

[0136] According to the invention, areas can be provided with metallic coatings containing different metals or metal oxides. Optionally, dyes or color pigments can also be provided. In this way, patterns and / or labels and / or symbols can be provided on the radiation protection device, which can serve, for example, for differentiation. For example, the radiation protection device could be provided with an identification for use to ensure that the radiation protection device is used for the correct application.

[0137] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can comprise several metal-containing layers and / or material layers with a metal-containing layer.

[0138] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have a first material layer and / or several material layers, of which at least one is provided with a metal-containing layer.

[0139] According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for producing a radiation protection device is also provided, comprising the following steps: (a) Providing a fabric or textile; and (b) Dispersing the metal component with the binder comprising a hotmelt adhesive; (c) Applying a metal-containing material to the fabric or textile to form a metal-containing layer, wherein the metal-containing material comprises a metal component and a binder having a first component and at least one further component,

[0140] Tests with a hotmelt containing a-PP or SEBS as a polymer component surprisingly revealed that sufficient amounts of metal (e.g., bismuth) could be incorporated into the hotmelt and further processed. This was surprising, given that the melting temperature of all or some metals (e.g., bismuth) is above the processing temperature during application or preparation of the material, namely approximately 180°C to 210°C.

[0141] Contrary to expectations, it was surprisingly found that no cavities were formed and the applied material did not exhibit any undesirable agglomerates. It is assumed that this surprising effect is due to the low-shear pre-dispersion of the metal component with the hot melt. Thus, according to the invention, a metal-containing layer with a high metal content and a soft character can be applied to a carrier material, something previously unknown and not expected based on the state of the art.

[0142] According to the invention, the hotmelt may comprise a-PP as a polymer component.

[0143] According to the invention, the hot melt may additionally or alternatively comprise SEBS as a polymer component.

[0144] According to the invention, the hot melt may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one other polymer component.

[0145] According to the invention, the hot melt may comprise other components.

[0146] According to the invention, another component of the hot melt can be added during pre-dispersion.

[0147] According to the invention, other components of the hot melt can be added during pre-dispersion.

[0148] According to the invention, a further constituent of the hot melt can be added after predispersion and before dispersing the metal component predispersed with the first constituent of the hot melt with the at least one further constituent of the hot melt. According to the invention, further constituents of the hot melt can be added after predispersion and before dispersing the metal component predispersed with the first constituent of the hot melt with the at least one further constituent of the hot melt. According to the invention, a further constituent of the hot melt can be added during dispersing the metal component predispersed with the first constituent of the hot melt with the at least one further constituent of the hot melt.

[0149] According to the invention, further other components of the hotmelt can be added when dispersing the metal portion predispersed with the first component of the hotmelt with the at least one further component of the hotmelt.

[0150] According to the invention, predispersion can be carried out with low shear.

[0151] According to the invention, dispersion can be carried out with low shear.

[0152] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be calendered.

[0153] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be calendered with a transfer roller.

[0154] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be calendered with a transfer roll, whereby only a portion of the material on the transfer roll is transferred by the transfer roll. In other words, the transfer roll is not run empty.

[0155] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be transferred to a carrier material. The carrier material can be, for example, a microfiber fabric.

[0156] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be extruded.

[0157] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be extruded using a planetary roller extruder.

[0158] The use of planetary roller extruders is advantageous because less shear forces and less pressure are exerted on the material, thus reducing the risk of re-agglomeration.

[0159] It is advantageous if there are no nozzles during application because this results in less shear force and less pressure is exerted.

[0160] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be fed to a calender. According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be fed to a 4-roll calender. According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be smoothed.

[0161] According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be smoothed with a calender. According to the invention, the metal-containing material can be smoothed with a 4-roll calender.

[0162] The applied metal-containing coating can have a layer thickness of 10 µm to 50 µm. Preferably, the layer thickness can be 25 µm.

[0163] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have a lead equivalent of at least 0.17.

[0164] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have a lead equivalent of at least 0.20.

[0165] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have a lead equivalent of at least 0.23.

[0166] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have a lead equivalent of at least 0.25.

[0167] According to one embodiment of the invention, a protective lamella for an X-ray device is also specified, wherein the protective lamella comprises at least one radiation protection device or fabric sheet according to the invention. This embodiment has the advantage over the prior art that a relatively high lead equivalent value can be provided, which eliminates the need to sew two layers of lamellae together. According to the invention, a lead equivalent value of 0.35 can be achieved with a radiation protection device thickness of 0.8 mm or a layer thickness of the metal-containing layer of 0.8 mm. Accordingly, according to the invention, a lead equivalent value of 0.175 can be achieved with a radiation protection device thickness of 0.4 mm or a layer thickness of the metal-containing layer of 0.4 mm, because the lead equivalent value is proportional to the thickness.

[0168] Such protective slats can be used, for example, in X-ray machines used at airport security checkpoints. These are used to scan checked suitcases or hand luggage, for example.

[0169] The invention also offers the advantage that the slats can be welded or laminated together, which is quicker and easier than conventional sewing and creates a more durable product.

[0170] According to the invention, a protective layer can be applied firmly to the metal-containing layer.

[0171] According to the invention, the protective layer can be made transparent.

[0172] According to the invention, the protective layer can be single-colored or multi-colored. According to the invention, the protective layer can be provided with a design and / or lettering.

[0173] According to the invention, the protective layer can be formed as a metal-containing coating.

[0174] The present invention further relates to a fabric web with a radiation protection device according to the invention.

[0175] The present invention further relates to radiation protection clothing comprising a radiation protection device according to the invention and / or one or more layers comprising a radiation protection device according to the invention and / or one or more fabric panels comprising a radiation protection device according to the invention. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the radiation protection clothing can be an apron, protective clothing, surgical clothing, work clothing, and / or a glove.

[0176] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can comprise one or more metal-containing layers. Each metal-containing layer can have at least two different structural components, namely an active coating structure and a binder structure. This metal-containing layer can be applied as a coating to any substrate material with strong adhesion, thus achieving a high level of effectiveness with minimal weight.

[0177] The active coating structure comprises a metallic base composition, wherein the element(s) of this base composition are selected according to a required effect. For example, and not limited to, lead and / or bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or lead and / or their oxides and / or an alloy of bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or lead and / or their oxides can act as a radiation protection layer. The metallic active elements can be mixed with one another in a single metal-containing layer and / or each separated in a separate metal-containing layer.

[0178] The binder structure therefore has the primary function of binding the particles of the active coating structure so that the latter can fulfill its function, namely radiation protection.

[0179] It has been found that it is advantageous for the proportion of the active coating structure of the at least one metal-containing layer to be between fifty and sixty-eight percent by weight of the metal-containing layer, and for the proportion of the binder structure of the metal-containing layer to be between two and ten percent by weight of the metal-containing layer. Such a small proportion of the binder structure may be surprising, but tests have shown that this creates a sufficient binding effect, allowing the focus to be on the functionally fulfilling active coating structure. To reduce weight, it is advantageous to apply as little metal-containing layer as possible but with as high a proportion of the active coating structure as possible.

[0180] According to the invention, the metal-containing layer can be applied firmly to the carrier material using an extrusion process.

[0181] In the context of this disclosure, the percentages by weight always refer to the dry weight, unless otherwise stated.

[0182] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can have two or more metal-containing layers firmly adhered to one another. These metal-containing layers can have different or identical compositions. If the metal-containing layers have different compositions, different functions of different active coating structures can be utilized, for example. Accordingly, an active coating structure with copper can be provided as the outermost coating layer for disinfection, wherein one or more coating layers with lead and / or bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their oxides can be arranged between this coating layer and the carrier material for radiation protection. Thus, a self-disinfecting and simultaneously radiation-protective radiation protection device can be created.Several identical metal-containing layers can be applied consecutively to ensure and / or enhance the effect of the specific coating structures. Even if the coating layers each have the same composition, this can ensure and / or enhance the effect of the specific coating structures. Furthermore, the configuration of the coating layers can also be used to achieve a specific haptic and / or visual effect.

[0183] According to the invention, the at least one coating layer can have a layer thickness of between 0.1 millimeters and 2 millimeters, preferably 0.8 millimeters.

[0184] According to the invention, the at least one metal-containing layer can have a layer thickness between 10 micrometers and 300 micrometers. It has been found that this makes it possible to provide a radiation protection device that is weight-optimized and yet still has an effective function.

[0185] According to the invention, the respective layer thickness can be varied in the case of multiple metal-containing layers. Thus, the effective function can be adjusted as needed, taking into account coating material costs.

[0186] According to the invention, the active coating structure can comprise barium, antimony, tin, bismuth, their oxides, and / or an alloy thereof. It can also comprise lead and its oxides if 100% lead-containing or lead-reduced materials and devices are to be manufactured.

[0187] Barium has a density of 3.62 g / cm^3 at 20 degrees Celsius, making it a light metal. With a Mohs hardness of 1.25, it is comparatively soft and also the softest of the alkaline earth metals.

[0188] Bismuth, also known as bismuth, has a density of 9.78 g / cm^3 at twenty degrees Celsius.

[0189] It has been found that a combination or individual use of the elements barium, antimony, tin, and bismuth enables an advantageous effective coating structure for radiation protection. Such a radiation protection device can be used, for example, for X-ray aprons. According to one embodiment of the invention, more than one coating layer with the above alloy configuration is used to ensure that radiation that has passed through an outer coating layer is intercepted by one or more underlying coating layers. Particularly according to one embodiment of the invention, and not by way of limitation, the outermost coating layer can comprise a decontaminating metal, for example, copper or an alloy thereof. Thus, this can represent a lightweight replacement for the otherwise very heavy and bulky lead apron as an X-ray apron.In addition to the equally effective radiation protection, the alternative to the lead apron offers the advantage of lower weight and optional self-disinfection.

[0190] The metal-containing layer closest to the carrier material can optionally be selected such that the metallic active coating structure interacts with the carrier material so that certain active functions can be promoted or that undesired active functions can be neutralized by an appropriately selected metal-containing layer.

[0191] According to the invention, the proportion of microactive particles can be between one and six percent by weight of the total binder structure per metal-containing layer. It has been found that such a distribution enables the microactive particles to exert a beneficial effect without significantly negatively impacting the binding effect of the binder structure.

[0192] According to the invention, in the case of multiple metal-containing layers, the proportion of micro-active particles in the metal-containing layers can vary. This increases the usability of the radiation protection device and the ability to influence the effects of individual metal-containing layers of the radiation protection device. For example, micro-active particles can be present primarily in the lower metal-containing layers. This reduces costs due to the reduced use of micro-active particles, whereby the effect of the micro-active particles is only utilized in the deeper metal-containing layers, so that in the overlying metal-containing layers, the function of the binder structure can be focused exclusively on the binding effect.

[0193] According to the invention, in the case of several coating layers, the proportion of micro-active particles in a metal-containing layer located further away from the carrier material can be smaller than in a metal-containing layer located closer to the carrier material.

[0194] According to the invention, at least 80 percent of the particles of the active coating structure can have an average cross-section of between 10 and 100 micrometers. It has been found that this allows for optimal active function.

[0195] According to the invention, at least 80 percent of the particles of the active coating structure can have an average cross-section of 20 micrometers to 80 micrometers inclusive. It has been found that this allows for a particularly optimal active function.

[0196] Also advantageous is a device for covering a body portion, the device comprising a radiation protection device according to at least one of the aforementioned features. By way of example and not limitation, the device can be a protective mask or a wearable apron element. By way of example and not limitation, the device for covering a body portion can also be designed as a jumpsuit, neck brace, jacket, vest, trousers, dungarees, gloves, boots or even rubber boots. Or can also be made from the manufactured material. By way of example, it is possible for the device for covering a body portion to be subsequently attached to a piece of clothing, for example sewn on, or for the piece of clothing to have the device for covering a body portion inert.

[0197] According to the invention, the metallic layer can be arranged as an insert and / or overlay in or on a textile. When used as X-ray protection, the metallic layer can preferably comprise bismuth. The binding agent can be a hot melt. Alternatively or in addition to bismuth, lead and / or barium and / or antimony and / or tin and / or their oxides can be included in the metal-containing coating for radiation protection.

[0198] The metal-containing layer can be applied firmly to a carrier or a carrier material or a fabric web using a powder coating process and / or calendering process. According to the invention, the carrier can be left with the metal-containing layer, and the metal-containing layer with the carrier can be arranged as an insert and / or overlay in or on a textile. Alternatively or additionally, the metal-containing layer can also be applied or arranged directly onto a part of the textile and / or an overlay or insert for the textile using a powder coating process and / or calendering process. The part of the textile and / or the overlay or insert then serves as a carrier for the metal-containing layer.

[0199] The invention offers the advantage that high elasticity can still be achieved even with a high metal content (pure metal or its compounds). As a rule, the weight percentages are always specified, with the ratio of metal content to binder content being in the range of 7:3, or 70% metal and 30% binder.

[0200] According to the invention, the at least one metal-containing layer or layers can be applied or applied in a firmly adhering manner to a carrier or a carrier material or a fabric web, for example by means of a powder coating process and / or calendering process and / or a laminating process.

[0201] According to the invention, the at least one metal-containing layer or layers can be applied in a firmly adhering manner between at least two carrier materials or fabric webs, for example by means of a powder coating process and / or calendering process and / or a laminating process.

[0202] According to the invention, the carrier material or fabric web can comprise TPU. This applies to all embodiments of the invention, including the embodiments with a carrier material or fabric web, or the embodiments with a carrier material or fabric web on both sides of the at least one metal-containing layer or the plurality of metal-containing layers.

[0203] According to the invention, the metal-containing layer or the plurality of metal-containing layers can have a thickness of more than 0.1 mm.

[0204] According to the invention, the metal-containing layer or the plurality of metal-containing layers can have a minimum thickness of 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm or 0.8.

[0205] According to the invention, the metal-containing layer or the plurality of metal-containing layers can have a maximum thickness of 2 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.1 mm, 1 mm or 0.9 mm

[0206] The layer thickness is preferably in the range of 0.8 to 0.9 mm, in particular approximately 0.8 mm.

[0207] According to the invention, the carrier material or the fabric web can have a minimum thickness of 50 µm, 60 µm, 70 µm, 80 µm or 90 µm.

[0208] According to the invention, the carrier material or the fabric web can have a maximum thickness of 150 µm, 140 µm, 130 µm, 120 µm or 110 µm.

[0209] The layer thickness of the carrier material or fabric is preferably in the range of 90-110µm, in particular approximately 100µm.

[0210] According to the invention, the radiation protection device can be or become multi-layered. The radiation protection device can be or become formed, for example, by a coextrusion process. One or more layers can be the carrier material or the fabric web, which can be or become formed, for example, on one side or on both sides. The layered composite can, for example, comprise outer layers comprising TPU. At least one layer or more layers can be or become provided with hotmelt in the middle.

[0211] The metal component, or the majority of the metal component, can preferably be provided there. A metal component can also be provided in the outer layers. According to the invention, the radiation protection device can be designed such that it can be applied to a carrier material.

[0212] The invention thus also relates to a radiation protection device for textiles comprising a metallic layer containing a metal component (lead and / or bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or their oxides) and a binder. The invention thus also relates to an X-ray apron with a protective device comprising a metallic layer containing a metal component and a binder.

[0213] The binder may comprise, for example, polyurethane. Regarding the relative proportions, reference is made to the proportions mentioned in the present disclosure. For example, approximately 70% bismuth may be provided. The textile may be an X-ray protective textile, for example, an X-ray apron. Alternatively or in addition to bismuth, barium and / or antimony and / or tin and / or their oxides may be provided in the metallic layer for radiation protection.

[0214] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, without limiting the general inventive concept. In the various exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals designate identical or corresponding components or features. Reference is made to the description of the other exemplary embodiments of the invention, with the emphasis being placed on the differences from the other exemplary embodiments. The following reference numerals are used: 10Radiation protection device 12Support material or fabric 12aSupport material or fabric 12bSupport material or fabric 14aMetal-containing layer 14bMetal-containing layer 16Active coating structure 18Binder structure 20Microactive particles 100Radiation protection clothing S1Layer thickness S2Layer thickness

[0215] Short description of the characters: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a radiation protection device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of radiation protection clothing with a radiation protection device according to an embodiment of the invention.Figure 8 shows a comparison table indicating which Shore 00, Shore 0, Shore A, Shore B, Shore C, and Shore D values ​​correspond to the other Shore values; the material examples are for comparison purposes only.

[0216] The embodiments described below are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in a variety of ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a specific embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a specific claim category can also be used correspondingly in an embodiment of a different claim category.

[0217] The Fig. 1 to Fig. 4each show an embodiment of a radiation protection device 10 according to the invention, which can be applied to a carrier material or a fabric web 12 or with a carrier material or a fabric web 12 to which one or more metal-containing layers 14a, 14b are applied.

[0218] For this purpose, the radiation protection device 10 has at least one metal-containing layer 14a, 14b, each with a metallic active coating structure 16 and a binder structure 18 binding the active coating structure 16; wherein the proportion of the active coating structure 16 of the at least one metal-containing layer 14a, 14b is between sixty percent by weight and eighty percent by weight, preferably sixty-eight percent by weight, of the metal-containing layer 14a, 14b; and wherein the proportion of the binder structure 18 of the same metal-containing layer 14a, 14b is between twenty percent by weight and forty percent by weight, preferably thirty-two percent by weight, of the metal-containing layer 14a, 14b.

[0219] As schematically shown in the figures, the proportion of the binder structure 18 of the at least one metal-containing layer 14a, 14b is between twenty percent by weight and forty percent by weight of the entire metal-containing layer 14a, 14b.

[0220] At least according to the illustrated embodiments, it is provided that the metal-containing layer 14a, 14b consists only of the active coating structure 16 and the binder structure 18.

[0221] Not recognizable, but according to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the binder structure 18 comprises hotmelt or a mixture of different hotmelts and optionally another component, such as silicone, as a binder.

[0222] In Fig. 3It is shown by way of example and not by way of limitation that the radiation protection device 10 has two metal-containing layers 14a, 14b applied to one another in a firmly adhering manner. The actual number depends on the requirements. Several metal-containing layers are advantageous if, for example, high radiation protection is required. In the simplified embodiment according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and / or Fig. 4Radiation could, with increased probability, penetrate between the particles of one metal-containing layer 14a of the active coating structure 16. Due to the active coating structures 16 of the two metal-containing layers 14a, 14b, radiation that has penetrated through the first metal-containing layer 14a can be intercepted by the second metal-containing layer 14b. In principle, the protective effect increases with the number of metal-containing layers. However, attention must be paid to the quantity and thus the weight of the layers in order to create a lightweight and simultaneously inexpensive radiation protection device 10.

[0223] Furthermore, for example, in Fig. 3 It is schematically shown that the two coating layers 14a, 14b each have a layer thickness S1, S2 between 10 micrometers and 300 micrometers. This is self-explanatory and is shown significantly enlarged.

[0224] In all embodiments, according to one embodiment of the invention, the active coating structure 16 comprises one or more of the metals barium, bismuth, lead, antimony, tin, their oxides and / or an alloy thereof or their ions.

[0225] The examples of the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 schematically provide that the binder structure 18 comprises micro-active particles 20, in particular metals or their ions.

[0226] Furthermore, the implementation examples of the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 schematically proposes that the proportion of micro-active particles 20 is between one and six percent by weight of the total binder structure 18 per coating layer 14a, 14b.

[0227] The embodiment of the Fig. 3 provides that the radiation protection device 10 is at least blasted, ground and / or polished on its surface remote from the carrier material 12.

[0228] The examples of the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 schematically provide that at least eighty percent of the particles of the active coating structure 16 have an average cross-section of 10 micrometers up to and including 100 micrometers. Furthermore, the embodiments of the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 schematically proposes that at least eighty percent of the particles of the active coating structure 16 have an average cross-section of between twenty micrometers and eighty micrometers inclusive.

[0229] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6each show an embodiment of a radiation protection device 10 according to the invention, wherein one or more metal-containing layers 14a, 14b are arranged between a carrier material or a fabric web 12a and another carrier material or another fabric web 12b. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar features. The description of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 is referred to.

[0230] The one or more metal-containing layers 14a, 14b can be arranged between two fabric webs 12a, 12b made of polyester.

[0231] According to an alternative embodiment, the one or more metal-containing layers 14a, 14b can be arranged between a fabric web 12a made of polyester and a fabric web 12b made of microfiber or TPU.

[0232] The one or more metal-containing layers 14a, 14b can be arranged between two fabric webs 12a, 12b made of microfiber or TPU.

[0233] Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of radiation protection clothing 100 comprising one or more radiation protection devices according to an embodiment of the invention. An upper body garment is shown. Accordingly, other suitable garments can also be provided depending on the task and purpose of the application.

[0234] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. The above description is therefore not to be considered restrictive, but rather explanatory. The following claims are to be understood as meaning that a stated feature is present in at least one embodiment of the invention. This does not exclude the presence of further features. Where the claims and the above description define "first" and "second" features, this designation serves to distinguish between two similar features without establishing a priority.

Claims

1. Radiation protection device (10) with at least one metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) with a metal portion and a binder structure (18), wherein the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is at least 50 wt.%, characterized in that the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness of maximum 100, and / or the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a density of maximum 1.1 g / cm 3 wherein the binder of the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) contains a hot melt adhesive.

2. Radiation protection device according to claim 1, wherein the binder is a hot melt adhesive containing a base polymer selected from a group consisting of polyamides (PA), polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), atactic polypropylenes (a-PP), polyolefins, amorphous polyolefins (APAO), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers EVAC, polyesters, polyester elastomers (TPE-E), polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U), copolyamide elastomers (TPE-A), vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene block copolymers SEBS, polyethylene and / or polystyrene.

3. The radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the binder structure (18) of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a Shore 00 hardness in the range of 30 to 95 and at least 25% and at most 80% of the metal content of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) was introduced in the form of a metal oxide.

4. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal portion of the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) contains metallic metal-containing particles with a grain size in the range of 110 µm to 35 µm.

5. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) has a metal content or a solid content of at least 50 wt.% and metallic metal-containing particles with an average diameter in the range of 5 µm to 100 µm.

6. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) contains bismuth and / or antimony and / or tin and / or barium and / or lead (Pb) in elemental, ionic or complexed form, and optionally further ions such as counterions or oxygen ions are present, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) contains at least 50 wt.% of the aforementioned metals in elemental or ionic form.

7. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal-containing layer (14a, 14b) is applied in a firmly adhering manner (strongly adhering) to a carrier, a carrier material or a fabric web (12, 12a, 12b), optionally by using a powder coating process and / or a calendering process and / or a laminating process.

8. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is formed in multiple layers, optionally by the use of a multi-stage powder coating process and / or a calendering process and / or a combined process of these.

9. Radiation protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation protection device has at least one coating layer, each with a metallic active coating structure and a binder structure binding the active coating structure, wherein the proportion of the active coating structure is in the range from 50 wt.% to 90 wt.% of the coating layer, and wherein the proportion of the binder structure of the same coating layer is in the range from 8 wt.% to 50 wt.% of the coating layer.

10. Radiation protection device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in thatat least one coating layer has a layer thickness in the range of 0.1 millimeters to 2 millimeters.

11. Protective lamella for an X-ray device or radiation protection clothing (100), in particular an apron, protective clothing, surgical clothing, work clothing or glove comprising a radiation protection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for producing a material for a radiation protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the metal portion is predispersed with a first component of the binder and the metal portion predispersed with the first component of the binder is dispersed with the other components of the binder.

13. A method according to claim 12 for producing a radiation protection device according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a carrier, in particular a fabric layer or a textile fabric, and (c) applying a metal-containing material to the carrier, in particular to the fabric layer or to the textile fabric to form a metal-containing layer, wherein the metal-containing material comprises a metal portion and a binder, characterized in that the metal-containing material is prepared for application to the carrier by the following steps: (b) dispersing the metal portion with the binder comprising a hot melt adhesive.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the material of the metal-containing layer is applied in an adhesive manner by means of a powder coating process and / or a calendering process and / or an injection molding process and / or a blow molding process and / or a laminating process, wherein when using a calendering process the material is calendered with a transfer roller or the metal layer is printed onto a carrier and / or a carrier material and / or a fabric web.

15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 for producing the metallic layer of a radiation protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the metallic layer is applied to a part of a textile or an X-ray protection device and / or an overlay or an insert for the textile or X-ray protection device.

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