ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Which material is not commonly used for shielding in industrial radiography?

1. Lead

2. Steel

3. Depleted uranium

4. Copper

The correct answer is: Copper

In industrial radiography, shielding is crucial to protect personnel and the environment from harmful radiation emitted during the radiographic process. Various materials are utilized for this purpose, each selected for its density and atomic composition, which influence its effectiveness in attenuating radiation. Lead is a widely recognized shielding material due to its high density and ability to effectively absorb both gamma rays and X-rays. Steel, though less dense than lead, is also commonly used because it provides structural strength and can shield against certain types of radiation. Depleted uranium, with its high density, is sometimes used for specialized shielding applications, especially where space is limited. Copper, while it can offer some level of shielding, is typically not employed as a primary material for radiation shielding in industrial radiography. It is less effective than lead or depleted uranium for attenuating high-energy radiation, which is a critical consideration in this field. Therefore, the choice of copper as a shielding material is not common, making it the correct answer to the question regarding materials not typically used for shielding in industrial radiography.