Lead-free radiation protective fabric has been 100 % imported from other countries so far until SME company, STS networks, developed their own and commercialize it.

Many hospitals and nuclear station employees are usually wearing lead-material radiation shielding clothing. These are very harmful to human as well as environment but there was no better solution than using expensive materials from USA. STS networks finally solved this problem for the first time in Korea.

STS networks (CEO Bongwoo Lee) announced on June 3 that they have succeeded in developing lead-free radiation shielding fabric by using their own nanomaterials technology. This innovative non-lead radiation shielding fabric brand is called ‘RASGO’.

Lead-free material is coated on a fabric and this allows mass production of RASGO productss. RASGO’s fabric has high radiation shielding performance and its flexibility makes it easy to manufacture it. RASGO’s radiation shielding fabric has excellent durability as well. According to a test done by Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), RASGO’s fabric blocks X-ray and Gamma ray effectively.

This special material has been developed by combining organic and inorganic nano-ceramic fine particle, polymer resin and metallic oxide.

“RASGO’s radiation shielding fabric is thinner and lighter than American or Japanese products but has outstanding radiation shielding capacity. It can even block neutron radiation.”

Thanks to RASGO’s laminating technology, their radiation shielding fabric can be made in various thickness and different types. One of the hospitals in Seoul has just ordered an X-ray blocking lead-free apron.

STS networks is considering possibilities of offering RASGO’s radiation blocking vest and pants to Fukushima reconstruction workers. RASGO’s fabric is 2mm thick and weighs 2.78kg/㎡, which received better evaluations than the Japanese product of 2.4mm and 4 ~ 5.5kg respectively for thickness and weight. CEO Bongwoo Lee said “RASGO’s products will soon be available for purchase since it passed a performance test.”

Natural background radiation level increases when it rains and STS networks did not miss this important fact and launched raincoats that can effectively block radiation on daily basis. RASGO’s raincoats were available in some fashion stores in Seoul but its first edition has been all sold out.

STS networks is planning to make more RASGO products to meet the needs of foreign consumers especially in China and Japan. RASGO’s own technology applies to many products for instance medical X-ray shielding clothing, nuclear plant shielding clothing, functional outdoor clothing, radioactive waste disposal bags and building interior decoration materials such as curtain and wallpaper.

“We have process and materials technology and that is why RASGO has competitive price,” CEO Bongwoo Lee told reporters.

By Oh Eunji reporter (onz@heraldcorp.com)