Radiation - shielding material

A radiation-shielding element for shielding against .gamma.-rays and X-rays having a wavelength not greater than about 0.1 .ANG., said element comprising a dense self-supporting flexible sheet laminate which is about 5 mm to about 20 mm thick and comprises a flexible inner layer of plastic material filled with particles of material capable of shielding against radiation having a wavelength of about 0.1 .ANG. or less, said particles forming at least about 50% by weight of said inner layer, said inner layer being interposed between two flexible skins comprising silicone elastomer, said skins forming the outermost layer of the laminate and each being 2 mm or less thick, the respective compositions of the inner layer and the skins being such that a 9 mm thick laminate consisting of an inner layer having said inner layer composition interposed between two skins each about 1.5 mm thick and having said skin composition can be wrapped around a 25.4 mm diameter pipe without tearing or splitting.