Lead Glass / X-Ray Glass

Lead glass, also called x-ray glass, radiation shielding glass or leaded glass, is often used for creating barriers or windows to contain radiation sources. Lead glass can be used for viewing windows in stationary or portable wall x-ray barriers, as well as for windows in doors. Nuclear plants and industrial companies facilities commonly use lead glass to protect workers from over exposure to radiation sources. Medical and dental facilities use lead glass in x-ray control booths, radiation therapy rooms, mammography rooms, and laboratories to protect workers and patients.

Lead Glass Manufacturers

• Radiation Protection Products is a manufacturer of industrial lead products. They offer many types of radiation shielding construction materials including lead glass windows and window frames, lead lined sheetrock, radiation shielding doors, and more.
• Ray-Bar Engineering is a leader in the design and manufacturing of x-ray protection and radiation shielding materials. For more than 80 years, they've been providing the medical healthcare industry with superior x-ray protection products, radiation shielding designs, systems, and materials.

Lead Glass Properties

In lead glass the calcium content of standard glass is replaced with lead. This infusion of lead raises the refractive index of the glass as well as lowering the working temperature. The high weight of lead raises the density of lead glass. Lead glass is often used for its decorative advantages in addition to the safety features that lead glass offers for x-ray protection. Often erroneously referred to as "lead crystal" (glass cannot be crystalline) lead glass dishes and decanters were once highly sought after due to the heightened refractive index and dispersion of the lead glass, which allowed cutting technique to generate a brilliant sparkling effect. The popularity of lead glass in drinking glasses and decanters has declined greatly from it's height among European nobility, especially since it is now known that alcohol and some other liquids can leech the lead from the glass and contribute to lead poisoning and other ailments.