elastic_gonzo Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Now, I'm wondering. As I've heard, materials with high dense structure, rich with hydrogen or metals with higher atomic number (denser structure) like osmium, could utterly prevent x ray scanners on customs to penetrate through them, as the strongest neutron scanner has 10MV strongest penetration ability so far (penetrating through 40cm of steel). I'm wondering which metals or other than metal materials, not lead, could be 100% protective against those scanners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Nothing is 100% protective against x-rays. Shielding reduces the transmission exponentially, but it doesn't stop it completely. Anything with a lot of electrons will be most effective. Lead is the choice because it is the heaviest stable element; lots of electrons and lots of atoms per unit volume, and it's cheap. Uranium would be effective but it's also radioactive, which sorta defeats the purpose of shielding for safety reasons. Gold and other heavy metals would be pretty good, but they are expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cuthber Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 What's the point? If the people operating the scanners see a big black blob on their screen they will just ask you to open the "magic Xray proof" box so they can see what's in it. All you would do would be to draw attention to what you were trying to hide. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elastic_gonzo Posted October 29, 2016 Author Share Posted October 29, 2016 Nothing is 100% protective against x-rays. Shielding reduces the transmission exponentially, but it doesn't stop it completely. Anything with a lot of electrons will be most effective. Lead is the choice because it is the heaviest stable element; lots of electrons and lots of atoms per unit volume, and it's cheap. Uranium would be effective but it's also radioactive, which sorta defeats the purpose of shielding for safety reasons. Gold and other heavy metals would be pretty good, but they are expensive. Nothing is 100% protective against x-rays. Shielding reduces the transmission exponentially, but it doesn't stop it completely. Anything with a lot of electrons will be most effective. Lead is the choice because it is the heaviest stable element; lots of electrons and lots of atoms per unit volume, and it's cheap. Uranium would be effective but it's also radioactive, which sorta defeats the purpose of shielding for safety reasons. Gold and other heavy metals would be pretty good, but they are expensive. Maybe, I could use something harder to penetrate. For example, if I paid something too expensive and want to avoid custom payment, I could put it in concrete column, small concrete blockhead, highly enriched with hematite elements to block the x ray penetration, make that blockhead as some sort of artistic obelisk or grave monument that is too precious to break. I know that concrete gets darkened color when mixed with such additives, but it could be painted to avoid suspicion. Also, it can be thinner than regular concrete and act as one monolith structure to hide whatever is inside. Since I've seen that these, 'special' concretes are having far more density than normal concrete. If they can protect nuclear reactor from dispersing its radiation, then it could be applied here too. If you see a blockhead which looks like any other concrete block, seeing nothing inside through x ray scanner, then there's no suspicion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 (edited) I don't believe it is a good policy for a forum to discuss methods to bypass x ray security systems. If your looking to protect some item from damage due to x-rays all you need to do is show the security officer the item itself and explain your concern on x ray damage. There is no need to hide legitimate items that x rays can be harmful to. I have regularly had to do so myself. Particularity sensitive time exposure films or other sensitive items. Attempts at hiding will cause more problems than simply being honest about your concerns on damage. Key note any attempt of hiding from customs can be considered an attempt to smuggle said item. Even if the item is legitimate. The attempt itself is illegal and can land you in jail. Maybe, I could use something harder to penetrate. For example, if I paid something too expensive and want to avoid custom payment this is an illegal act in and of itself. ! Moderator Note A little friendly reminder of the policy you agreed to. http://www.scienceforums.net/index.php?app=forums&module=extras§ion=boardrules section 3. Keep posts legal. References to the personal commitment of an illegal activity are forbidden, with the following qualifications: References to drug use are not permissible unless the references are scientific or otherwise useful as part of a discussion. References involving felonies are not acceptable and will be removed. Discussion of methods to circumvent restrictions made at any level, including school Internet filtering or parental controls, is prohibited. Descriptions of the construction or synthesis of illegal or hazardous devices or chemicals are subject to removal at the discretion of the staff. Remember that many SFN readers do not have the scientific background to know the appropriate precautions and safety procedures; all posts should contain a warning of the potential hazards and safety considerations of any dangerous procedure Edited October 29, 2016 by Mordred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imatfaal Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 ! Moderator Note This thread has taken a turn for the worse. If members want to discuss the shielding effects of various materials then please open a new thread. We cannot allow the discussion of an illegal act - even if only hypothetical. Thread Locked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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