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Ordering Sheet Lead in 2026 – In 6 Easy Steps

Jul 2, 2026

Whether you’re shielding a new X-ray room, upgrading a nuclear medicine facility, or specifying an industrial radiography environment, ordering sheet lead correctly from the start saves time, money, and costly rework. This guide walks you through every step, from confirming your shielding requirements to receiving your order.

 

Why Sheet Lead Remains the Standard for Radiation Shielding

 

Lead’s density, malleability, and long-term durability make it the most widely specified material for radiation shielding in medical, nuclear, and industrial environments. 99.9% pure sheet lead manufactured to ASTM B749 / QQ-L-201F standards is trusted by hospitals, nuclear labs, and NDT facilities across North America. It reliably blocks X-ray and gamma radiation, cuts and forms easily into complex assemblies, and performs in both interior and exterior applications without corrosion concerns.

Key reasons facilities continue to use sheet lead for radiation protection:

  • Reliable attenuation of X-ray and gamma radiation
  • Highly malleable, easy to cut, form, and integrate into complex assemblies
  • Compatible with lead-lined drywall, plywood, doors, windows & frames, and mobile barriers
  • Available in common, chemical, and antimonial grades to suit different environments
  • Corrosion-resistant for long-term interior and exterior use

 

Step 1: Confirm Your Shielding Requirements

 

Before ordering lead sheets, you need a shielding design, ideally reviewed or signed off by a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or medical physicist. This will specify:

  • Required lead thickness (expressed in lbs/SF or mm)
  • Room dimensions and wall layout
  • Radiation source type and energy level (diagnostic X-ray, fluoroscopy, gamma, etc.)
  • Occupancy factors for adjacent spaces

Do not skip this step. Ordering the wrong thickness wastes material and may require a full tear-out.

 

Step 2: Choose the Right Lead Type

 

Once your shielding design is confirmed, match your specified thickness to the correct sheet lead weight. The table below covers the most common specifications:

Type

Best For

Common Lead

General radiation shielding, standard construction

Chemical Lead

Environments requiring enhanced corrosion resistance

Antimonial Lead

Higher-hardness applications requiring added structural rigidity

Three grades are available. Common lead suits most medical and industrial shielding applications. Chemical lead is specified where enhanced corrosion resistance is required. Antimonial lead is used in higher-hardness applications requiring added structural rigidity. Confirm your grade with your RSO or project engineer if you are unsure.

 

Step 3: Select Your Thickness

 

Use the table below to match your shielding specification to the correct sheet lead thickness. Thickness is typically prescribed in lbs/SF by a shielding design report.

Sheet Lead Weight, Thickness and Size Reference

Weight (lbs/SF)

Max Sheet Size

Thickness (mm)

Thickness (inches)

1.0

1/64

0.4

0.016

2.0

1/32

0.8

0.033

2.5

1/24

1.0

0.041

3.0

N/A

1.3

0.050

3.5

N/A

1.5

0.058

3.75

1/16

1.6

0.063

4.0

N/A

1.7

0.066

5.0

1/12

2.1

0.082

6.0

1/10

2.5

0.100

6.5

N/A

2.7

0.105

7.0

N/A

3.0

0.117

7.5

1/8

3.2

0.125

8.0

N/A

3.4

0.133

10.0

1/6

4.2

0.167

11.25

3/16

4.7

0.187

12.0

1/5

5.1

0.200

15.0

1/4

6.4

0.250

16.0

N/A

6.8

0.267

20.0

1/3

8.5

0.333

24.0

2/5

10.2

0.400

30.0

1/2

12.7

0.500

40.0

2/3

16.9

0.667

45.0

3/4

19.1

0.750

60.0

1

25.4

1.000

 

 

Step 4: Choose Your Sheet Lead Format and Size

 

Sheet lead is supplied in both panel and roll formats. Lead rolls are well-suited for large-scale wall installations, while sheet panels are commonly used for custom fabrication and penetration lining.

Common Sheet Lead Sizes

Thickness

Available Sizes

1/32″

4’x7′, 4’x8′, 4’x10′

1/16″

4’x7′, 4’x8′, 4’x10′

5/64″

4’x7′, 4’x8′

3/32″

4’x7′, 4’x8′

1/8″

4’x7′, 4’x8′

1/4″

4’x4′

Maximum sheet dimensions: up to 8 ft wide and 25 ft long. Custom sizes are available upon request.

If your project requires non-standard dimensions, Ultraray offers precision cutting and custom fabrication services to minimise waste and fit complex layouts.

 

Step 5: Calculate Your Quantity

 

Once you have your room layout and specified thickness, calculate the total square footage of sheet lead for radiation protection required. Add 10 to 15% overage for seams, overlaps, and cuts, especially in rooms with multiple penetrations such as electrical boxes, HVAC, and plumbing.

Account for:

  • Full wall coverage (floor to ceiling)
  • Overlap at seams (minimum 1 inch, covered by lead batten strips)
  • Lead caps over all screw heads
  • Lining behind electrical boxes, HVAC vents, and plumbing penetrations

 

Step 6: Request a Quote or Place Your Order

 

With your thickness, format, and quantity confirmed, contact Ultraray to place your order or request a quote. With 100 tonnes of lead rolls and lead sheets in stock, Ultraray supports fast fulfillment across Canada and the United States.

When placing your order, be prepared to provide:

  • Lead type (common, chemical, or antimonial)
  • Thickness (lbs/SF or mm)
  • Sheet format (panels or sheet lead rolls)
  • Dimensions (standard or custom)
  • Total quantity (SF or number of sheets)
  • Delivery location and required timeline

For regulated facilities, Ultraray’s technical and QA team can provide:

  • Certificates of Conformance (CofC)
  • First Articles of Inspection (FAI)

Request a quote for sheet lead here.

99.9% pure lead sheets and lead rolls stacked for medical and radiation shielding

Or, should you require sheet lead for uses other than radiation protection? For flashing and roofing, or soundproofing of a construction building click here.

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