Defining radiolucent

Published On: July 1, 2010

I’m replacing the pad on an X-ray table and my client has specified that the material we use be “radiolucent.” What does that mean?

Radiolucent is a medical term and is used for any item that permits X-rays to shine right through it. This would be important for a pad used on an X-ray table because radiolucent items appear black on the exposed film. In other words, your client is asking you to use a material that will not interfere with the X-ray itself. Plastics such as a vinyl coating or film are typically radiolucent, but the backing material may not be. Be sure to check with your fabric supplier, who should be aware if their fabric is appropriate for this particular end use.

Juli Case is ATA‘s information and technical services manager.