Review on flexible radiation-protective clothing materials

With the development of society and technology, machinery and equipment have enhanced our work efficiency but have also introduced various hazards, such as electromagnetic radiation, medical, industrial, and agricultural rays. The harms these radiations inflict on human health are significant, with severe cases leading to cancer, disability, or even life-threatening situations. Therefore, effective protective measures in some fields are crucial. This paper firstly summarized the basic principles of radiation protection for different rays, then systematically introduced the widely used manufacturing methods for flexible radiation shielding materials, including weaving with metal fibers, fiber blending, silver-plated fibers, and so on. Subsequently, the paper reviewed the testing methods of radiation-protective clothing materials. Finally, it comprehensively concluded the discussions on flexible radiation shielding materials and offered a perspective on their future development trends.