Tungsten Heavy Alloys For
Medical Components
Trusted by leading medical technology companies worldwide, we manufacture precision-engineered tungsten shielding and collimation components that protect patients, clinicians, and medical teams.
- Superior attenuation – for MRI/CT scanners, vial shields, isotope containers and generators.
- Complex designs and geometries – precision-engineered collimators in standard and bespoke forms, from prototypes through to full production runs.
- Durable, non-toxic, and easy to sterilise – no coatings or encasements required, with dimensional stability up to 1000°C.
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE
Wolfmet is the first choice for engineers and designers requiring compact, high-attenuation components for nuclear medicine and medical imaging equipment.
With a density 60% higher than lead, Wolfmet tungsten alloy components can be manufactured smaller and thinner without compromising protection against X-ray and gamma radiation – reducing bulk and weight while maintaining shielding performance.
From a quality assurance perspective, Wolfmet tungsten alloys are manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, with additional quality and materials traceability processes in accordance with AMS 7725 and ASTM B777 standards.
WOLFMET TUNGSTEN MEDICAL COMPONENTS
Vials & Containers
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS FOR
MRI / CT SCANNERS
Wolfmet tungsten alloys have been supplied to hybrid systems manufacturers of PET/MRI and SPECT/MRI scanners, shielding detectors from radiation scatter and improving diagnostic image quality.
Wolfmet also manufactures specific non-magnetic tungsten alloys – such as those blended with Nickel-Copper – for MR-compatible applications where ferromagnetic materials would create dangerous interactions with high-strength magnetic fields.
SPEAK TO AN EXPERT ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT
Whether you need a high-volume production run, or a prototype shielding component, our engineers are ready to help specify the right tungsten grade.
VIAL SHIELDS AND ISOTOPE CONTAINERS
Wolfmet tungsten alloys are widely used for vial containers designed to store, transport, and dispense radiopharmaceuticals – including drawing up doses into a syringe ready for patient treatment. Containers can be manufactured entirely from Wolfmet tungsten alloy, or a Wolfmet tungsten alloy core can be added to the main lead shield, providing a cost-effective way to enhance radiation capability.
In addition to protecting staff from harmful radioactive isotopes, Wolfmet tungsten alloy vials and containers offer several significant advantages over traditional lead alternatives.
WOLFMET BENEFITS:
- High radiation attenuation; good shielding capability
- Thinner and often lighter than equivalent lead shields
- Easy to sterilise & keep clean
- Non-toxic; non-radioactive
- Machined to close tolerances
- Dimensionally stable up to 1000°C
- Hard and durable – no need for steel or plastic coating
ISOTOPE GENERATORS
Medical isotopes are frequently transported over long distances, requiring higher initial activity levels to maintain optimal residual activity on arrival. This creates a direct challenge: increasing shielding capacity without adding unacceptable size or weight to transport containers
Thanks to its high density and superior attenuation, Wolfmet tungsten alloy offers effective shielding in a compact form that can also withstand the rigours of transportation.
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS FOR COLLIMATORS
Wolfmet tungsten alloys are used to manufacture compact, durable collimators for advanced imaging and radiotherapy applications, enabling highly targeted radiation beams that improve the accuracy of patient diagnosis and the quality of treatment outcomes.
We can produce collimators in a variety of forms, such as multi-pinhole, parallel, lofthole, dual-resolution, and divergent, using CNC precision machinery and newer Wolfmet 3D-printed (SLM) techniques for complex geometries. We can also manufacture coded-aperture masks, nested masks and round, square or hexagonal grids.
SPEAK TO AN EXPERT ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT
RADIOTHERAPY
Whether prescribed for external or internal treatment, radiotherapy must be delivered with precision to minimise damage to healthy tissue surrounding a tumour – while also protecting medical personnel from radiation exposure.
Wolfmet tungsten alloys are used for multi-leaf collimators that direct radiation beams as precisely as possible onto a target tumour. These collimators consist of thin tungsten leaves, manufactured to very tight tolerances, that move independently to form a frame for the beam of radiation.
High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy consists of implanting a radioactive seed directly into a tumour for a predetermined period. Thanks to its excellent attenuation characteristics, Wolfmet tungsten alloy provides reliable, safe containment of the radioactive seed both before and after the procedure.
Tungsten alloys for Medical FAQs
Does Wolfmet offer Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) as part of its manufacturing process?
Why should tungsten heavy alloy be preferred to lead for radiation shielding in MRI and CT scanners?
Are tungsten alloys used in Digital Radiography (DR) and Computed Radiography (CR) systems?
How can I reduce the weight of pig vials while maintaining radiation attenuation?
What options are available to make pig vials lighter and smaller without compromising shielding performance?
Can tungsten alloys be used for vials that also use lead as secondary containment fields?
Does Wolfmet tungsten alloy comply with ISO 13485 for medical equipment?
What tungsten alloy treatments does Wolfmet offer?
What is the best material for manufacturing portable vial pigs that carry PET (F-18) or SPECT (Tc-99m) radioactive doses?
DOWNLOAD OUR RADIATION ATTENUATION DATASHEET
We have a wealth of engineering knowledge and manufacturing experience. This helps us to work in partnership with customers to provide the perfect bespoke radiation shielding solution, where off the shelf items will not meet requirements
Copyright © 2000-2026 M&I Materials Ltd.
Copyright © 2000-2025 M&I Materials Ltd.