What is lead used for?

Lead and rolled lead: properties, applications and prices

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Lead smelting was the first metallurgical process known to man. It began to be practiced three thousand years BC. Until the 18th century, lead was used to make water pipes. The revealed toxic properties of this metal forced humanity to rethink the approach to its use and processing.

Despite the impossibility of using lead for the manufacture of water pipes or in the food industry, it still remains one of the most popular non-ferrous metals, in demand in a wide variety of sectors of the national economy.

Characteristics of the metal and main alloying additives

Lead is a well-known metal; it has a bluish-gray color, is plastic, and is chemically passive. Easily oxidizes to form a protective film, which allows the metal to successfully withstand the effects of aggressive environments and corrosion.

With a fairly high specific gravity, lead is easily melted and processed. It has a density 1.5 times higher than that of iron and 4 times higher than that of aluminum. The alloying elements are mainly tin, copper, antimony, nickel, calcium, arsenic and cadmium.

With their help, lead acquires additional beneficial properties:

• arsenic increases thermal stability;
• copper minimizes segregation during casting;
• nickel protects the surface from wear;
• calcium increases density and thermal stability;
• sodium and magnesium give high strength;
• copper protects against the effects of sulfuric acid;
• cadmium increases anti-corrosion properties;
• Tin protects against metal fatigue.

During primary production, the technology of oxygen roasting of lead sulfate is used with further refining of the resulting metal to an almost pure state. Lead is also known to have the highest recycling rate of any metal. Depending on the residual content of impurities, different grades of lead are distinguished.

Worth knowing

Recycling scrap non-ferrous metals to produce secondary lead not only benefits the environment, but is also an economically viable solution: energy consumption when processing batteries is 3.5-4 times less than when extracting lead from natural ores.

Lead grades

There are three main grades of high purity lead alloy:

• C1 – primary lead with impurity content not exceeding 0.015%. This brand is characterized by high resistance to aggressive environments and corrosion. The high ductility of C1 makes it easy to melt and process.
• C2 – primary lead with impurity content not exceeding 0.05%. The brand is close in properties to C1, but compares favorably in cost.
• C3 – primary lead with impurity content not exceeding 0.1%. Used for the production of ingots, pigs and semi-finished products.

Lead sheet, roll

Lead sheets and lead rolls are used for wall cladding in laboratories and X-ray rooms for protection against radiation. They are also used in the production of battery plates. Lead sheets and rolls are manufactured in accordance with GOST 9559-89. Sheet thickness – 0.5-10 mm. The width of rolled lead is usually 0.5 m, length - 10-20 m. The dimensions of the lead sheet are 500x1000 mm. Lead grade C1 is used for production.

Lead ingots, ingots

Raw materials for the production of rolled or cast products. Manufactured according to GOST 3778-98 from lead grades C1, C2, C3.

Lead pipes

Due to their corrosion resistance, they are widely used in the chemical industry. Their sound-conducting properties make them suitable for making organs. Lead pipes are produced in accordance with GOST 167-69 of various diameters and with different wall thicknesses.

Lead wire

Produced according to GOST 3778-98 from lead grades C1 and C2, diameter 0.25-3 mm. It is used for caulking seams of tubes and pipelines, for the manufacture of counterweights and fishing weights, as well as in the glass industry.

Lead shot

It is used mainly by hunters and fishermen - for loading cartridges and making sinkers. It is also used in the production of high-precision counterweights. Lead shot is cheaper than steel shot, which is why it is very popular. It is produced according to GOST 7837-76 from lead grade C1 with the addition of antimony and arsenic.

Forecast for the future

Despite the high prevalence of lead shot, it may soon be replaced by its steel counterpart. This is due to the fact that the destructive power of lead shot does not exceed 25%; moreover, it pollutes the environment and causes poisoning of birds that swallow it along with pebbles.

Application

Depending on the scope of application, there are several types of lead alloys:

• Battery alloys. Contains lead and antimony. They are widely used in electrical engineering, cable production, and battery production.
• Protective alloys. Alloys with tellurium, copper and antimony. They are used for lining acid-resistant equipment and pipelines, as well as for sheathing electrical cables.
• Pigment alloys. Chrome connections. Used as a primer when painting copper alloys.
• General purpose alloys. Lead alloys of different compositions have a huge range of applications: construction, mechanical engineering, manufacturing of household utensils, chemical and nuclear industries, medicine.
• Military alloys. For the manufacture of ammunition, alloys of lead with tin, tungsten, and antimony are used.

Due to small doses of lead poisoning through plumbing, dishes and cosmetics, the average life expectancy of the Roman aristocracy did not exceed 25 years. Nowadays, lead pollution is considered one of the global problems of mankind. 80% of lead goes into the production of electric batteries, which must be disposed of in a special way.

Lead and rental prices

If you are going to purchase rolled lead and lead alloys, keep in mind the following pricing factors:

• grade of lead or alloy;
• type of rental;
• batch size.

The price for lead and its alloys is usually set per kg. On average, a kilogram of rolled lead costs 160-170 rubles. Lead in pigs and ingots costs 120-130 rubles. per kilogram, and it is often more convenient to buy it this way and then order processing separately.

Source: https://www.kp.ru/guide/svinets-i-svintsovyi-prokat.html

Lead

   Lead Ingots

Lead has been used for thousands of years because it is widespread and easy to mine and process. It is very malleable and melts easily. Lead smelting was the first metallurgical process known to man. Lead beads dating back to 6400 BC. BC, were found in the Çatalhöyük culture.

The oldest object made of lead is often considered to be a figurine of a standing woman in a long skirt from the First Dynasty of Egypt, dating back to 3100-2900. BC BC, stored in the British Museum (stock number EA 32138). It was found in the Temple of Osiris at Abydos and brought from Egypt in 1899. In Ancient Egypt, lead medallions were used.

In the Early Bronze Age, lead was used along with antimony and arsenic. Lead is referred to as a specific metal in the Old Testament.

Lead pipes of an ancient Roman water supply with inscriptions

The largest producer of lead in the pre-industrial era was Ancient Rome, with an annual production of 80,000 tons.

Roman mining of lead took place in Central Europe, Roman Britain, the Balkans, Greece, Asia Minor and Spain. The Romans widely used lead in the production of pipes for water supply systems, and lead pipes often bore the inscriptions of Roman emperors.

True, even Pliny and Vitruvius believed that this was not good for public health.

Papal bull of 1637 with lead seal

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. n. e. Lead use in Europe fell and remained low for about 600 years. Then lead began to be mined in eastern Germany.

Lead sugar has been added to wine since Roman times to improve its taste; this became widespread and continued even after the ban by a papal bull in 1498. This use of lead in the Middle Ages led to epidemics of lead colic.

In Ancient Rus', lead was used to cover the roofs of churches, and was also widely used as a material for hanging seals on letters. Later, in 1633, a water supply system with lead pipes was built in the Kremlin, through which water came from the Vodovzvodnaya Tower; it existed until 1737.

In alchemy, lead was associated with the planet Saturn and was represented by its symbol ♄. In ancient times, tin, lead and antimony were often not distinguished from each other, considering them to be different types of the same metal, although Pliny the Elder distinguished between tin and lead, calling tin “plumbum album” and lead “plumbum nigrum”.

The Industrial Revolution led to a new increase in the demand for lead. By the beginning of the 1840s. annual production of refined lead exceeded 100,000 tons for the first time and grew to over 250,000 tons over the next 20 years. Until the last decades of the 19th century, lead mining was primarily carried out by three countries: Britain, Germany and Spain.

By the beginning of the 20th century, lead mining in Europe had become less than in the rest of the world, thanks to increased production in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Until 1990, large quantities of lead were used (together with antimony and tin) to cast typographical fonts, and also in the form of tetraethyl lead to increase the octane number of motor fuels.

origin of name

The origin of the word "lead" is unclear. This metal is called “tin” in Bulgarian; in most other Slavic languages ​​(Serbo-Croatian, Czech, Polish) lead is called a word similar in sound to “tin”: volava , olovo , ołów , etc.

A word with the same meaning, but similar in pronunciation to “svints”, is found in the Baltic languages: švinas (Lithuanian), svins (Latvian), as well as in several Slavic languages ​​- Russian, Ukrainian ( svinets ), Belarusian ( svinets ) and Slovenian ( svinec ).

The Latin plumbum gave the English word plumber - plumber (in Ancient Rome, water pipes were made of this particular metal, as the most suitable for casting), and the name of the Venetian prison with a lead roof - Piombi, from which, according to some sources, Casanova managed to escape.

Finding lead in nature

in the earth's crust 1.6·10-3% by mass. Native lead is rare; the range of rocks in which it is found is quite wide: from sedimentary rocks to ultramafic intrusive rocks. Mainly found in the form of sulfides.

Getting Lead

Countries are the largest producers of lead (including secondary lead) in 2004 (according to ILZSG), in thousand tons:

EU	2200
USA	1498
China	1256
Korea	219

Physical properties of lead

Lead has a rather low thermal conductivity, it is 35.1 W/(m K) at 0°C. The metal is soft and can be easily cut with a knife. On the surface it is usually covered with a more or less thick film of oxides; when cut, a shiny surface is revealed, which fades over time in air.

Density - 11.3415 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)

Melting point - 327.4 °C

Boiling point - 1740 °C

Chemical properties of lead

Electronic formula: KLMN5s25p65d106s26p2, according to which it has oxidation states +2 and +4. Lead is not very reactive chemically. A metallic section of lead shows a metallic luster, which gradually disappears due to the formation of a thin film of PbO.

With oxygen it forms a number of compounds Pb2O, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4. Without oxygen, water at room temperature does not react with lead, but at high temperatures lead oxide and hydrogen are produced by the interaction of lead and hot water vapor.

The oxides PbO and PbO2 correspond to the amphoteric hydroxides Pb(OH)2 and Pb(OH)4.

Source: http://himsnab-spb.ru/article/ps/pb

The use of lead metal in the national economy and construction

Lead is a soft, malleable, chemically inert metal that is very resistant to corrosion. It is these qualities that mainly determine its widest use in the national economy. In addition, the metal has a fairly low melting point and easily forms various alloys.

Let's talk today about the properties of lead and its use in construction and industry: alloys, lead cable sheaths, paints based on it,

The first use of lead was due to its excellent malleability and resistance to corrosion. As a result, the metal was used where it should not have been used: in the manufacture of dishes, water pipes, washbasins, and so on. Alas, the consequences of such use were the saddest: lead is a toxic material, like most of its compounds, and when it enters the human body, it causes many serious injuries.

• The metal became truly widespread after experiments with electricity switched to the widespread use of electric current. Lead is used in numerous chemical power sources. More than 75% of the total share of the melted substance is spent on the production of lead batteries. Alkaline batteries, despite their greater lightness and reliability, cannot replace them, since lead batteries create a higher voltage current.
• Lead forms many low-melting alloys with bismuth, tin, cadmium, etc., and all of them are used to make electrical fuses.

Lead, being toxic, poisons the environment and poses a considerable danger to humans. Lead-acid batteries need to be disposed of or, which is more promising, recycled. Today, up to 40% of the metal is obtained by recycling batteries.

• Another interesting application of the metal is the winding of a superconducting transformer. Lead was one of the first metals to exhibit superconductivity, and at a relatively high temperature - 7.17 K (for comparison, the superconductivity temperature for zinc is 0.82 K).
• 20% of the volume of lead is used in the production of lead sheaths for power cables for underwater and underground installation.
• Lead, or rather its alloys - babbits, lead bronzes, are anti-friction. They are widely used in the production of bearings.
• In the chemical industry, the metal is used in the production of acid-resistant equipment, since it reacts very reluctantly with acids and with a very small number of them. For the same reasons, it is used to produce pipes for pumping acids and wastewater for laboratories and chemical plants.
• It is difficult to downplay the role of lead in military production. Lead balls were thrown by catapults dating back to Ancient Rome. Today it is not only ammunition for small arms, hunting or sporting weapons, but also initiating explosives, for example, the famous lead azide.
• Another common use is solders. The alloy of lead and tin provides a universal material for joining all other metals that cannot be alloyed in the usual way.
• Lead, although soft, is a heavy metal, and not just heavy, but the most accessible to obtain. And this is associated with one of its most interesting properties, although relatively recently discovered - the absorption of radioactive radiation, of any severity. Lead protection is used wherever there is a threat of increased radiation - from the X-ray room to the nuclear test site.

Hard radiation has greater penetrating power, that is, a thicker layer of material is required to protect against it. However, lead absorbs hard radiation even better than soft radiation: this is due to the formation of an electron-positron pair near the massive nucleus. A layer of lead 20 cm thick can protect against any radiation known to science.

In many cases, there is simply no alternative to metal, so it is impossible to expect a suspension of production due to its environmental hazard. All efforts of this kind should be directed towards the development and implementation of effective cleaning and recycling methods.

This video will tell you about the extraction and use of lead:

Metal is rarely used in construction work: its toxicity limits its range of applications. However, the substance is used in alloys or in the construction of special structures. And the first thing we'll talk about is lead roofing.

Roof

Lead has been used as a roofing material since time immemorial. In Ancient Rus', churches and bell towers were covered with lead sheet, since its color was perfect for this purpose. The metal is plastic, which makes it possible to obtain sheets of almost any thickness, and, most importantly, shape. When covering non-standard architectural elements or constructing complex cornices, lead sheet is simply ideal, so it is used constantly.

Rolled lead is produced for roofing, usually in rolls. In addition to sheets with a standard flat surface, there is also a wavy material - pleated, painted, tinned and even self-adhesive on one side.

In air, the lead sheet quickly becomes covered with a patina consisting of a layer of oxide and carbonates. Patina protects the metal from corrosion. But if for some reason you don’t like its appearance, the roofing material can be coated with a special patination oil. This is done manually or in production conditions.

Sound absorption

Soundproofing a home is one of the enduring problems of old and many modern houses. There are many reasons for this: the structure itself, where walls or ceilings conduct sound, the material of floors and walls that does not absorb sound, innovation in the form of a new elevator design, which is not provided for by the design and creates additional vibration and many other factors. But in the end, the apartment dweller is forced to cope with these problems on his own.

At an enterprise, in a recording studio, or in a stadium building, this problem takes on much larger dimensions, and is solved in the same way - by installing sound-absorbing finishes.

Lead, oddly enough, is used precisely in this role - as a sound absorber. The design of the material is almost the same. A lead plate of small thickness - 0.2-0.4 mm - is covered with a protective polymer layer, since the metal is still classified as dangerous, and organic material is fixed on both sides of the plate - foam rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene. The sound insulator absorbs not only sound, but vibration.

The mechanism is as follows: a sound wave, passing through the first polymer layer, loses some of the energy and excites vibrations of the lead plate. Part of the energy is absorbed by the metal, and the remainder is extinguished in the second foam layer.

It is worth noting that the direction of the wave in this case does not matter.

This video will tell you how lead is used in construction and farming:

X-ray radiation is extremely widely used in medicine, essentially forming the basis for instrumental examination. But if in minimal doses it does not pose any particular danger, then receiving a large dose of radiation poses a threat to life.

When setting up an X-ray room, it is lead that is used as a protective layer:

• walls and doors;
• floor and ceiling;
• mobile partitions;
• personal protective equipment - aprons, shoulder pads, gloves and other items with lead inserts.

Protection is provided thanks to a certain thickness of the shielding material, which requires accurate calculations taking into account the size of the room, the power of the equipment, the intensity of use, and so on. The ability of a material to reduce radiation is measured in “lead equivalent” - the thickness of a layer of pure lead that is capable of absorbing the calculated radiation. Protection that exceeds the specified value by ¼ mm is considered effective.

X-ray rooms are cleaned in a special way: timely removal of lead dust is important here, since the latter is dangerous.

• One of the most extraordinary uses of metal is the construction of earthquake-resistant foundations and the sealing of masonry joints. Metal has been used in this way since ancient times, but even today this method of imparting vibration resistance to a structure is not outdated.
• Paints containing lead and lead compounds are not used in residential premises. However, they perfectly protect steel and iron from corrosion, so they continue to be used on technical structures: bridges, railway supports, frame structures, and so on.
• Lead-based stabilizers are used in the manufacture of metal-plastic profiles, from which, in turn, windows and doors of various types are made. Leading companies, in light of the trend of abandonment in favor of lead-free technologies, are introducing into production a profile in the production of which lead is not used. However, most manufacturers have not yet abandoned this technology.

Lead is a heavy, malleable, corrosion-resistant metal, and most importantly: accessible and fairly cheap to produce. In addition, metal is indispensable for protection against radiation. So a complete cessation of its use is a matter of a rather distant future.

Elena Malysheva will talk about health problems caused by lead use in the video below:

Source: http://stroyres.net/metallicheskie/vidyi/tsvetnyie/svinets/primenenie-v-hozyaystve-i-stroitelstve.html

Lead metal. Properties and uses of lead

Atomic radius 175 pm Ionization energy (first electron) 715.2 (7.41) kJ / mol (eV) Electronic configuration 4f 14 5d 10 6s 2 6p 2 Chemical properties Covalent radius 147 pm Ion radius (+4e) 84 (+2e ) 120 pm Electronegativity (according to Pauling) 1.8 Electrode potential Pb←Pb 2+ -0.126 V Pb←Pb 4+ 0.80 V Oxidation states 4, 2 Thermodynamic properties of a simple substance Density 11.3415 /cm³ Molar heat capacity 26, 65 J /( mol) Thermal conductivity 35.3 W /( ) Melting point 600.65 Heat of fusion 4.77 kJ / mol Boiling point 2,013 Heat of evaporation 177.8 kJ / mol Molar volume 18.3 cm ³ / mol Crystal lattice of a simple substance Lattice structure cubic face-centered Lattice parameters 4.950 Ratio c/an/a Debye temperature 88.00

Pb	82
207,2
4f 14 5d 10 6s 2 6p 2
Lead

Lead is an element of the main subgroup of the fourth group, the sixth period of the periodic table of chemical elements of D.I. Mendeleev, with atomic number 82. It is designated by the symbol Pb (Latin: Plumbum). The simple substance lead (CAS number: 7439-92-1) is a malleable, relatively fusible gray metal.

The origin of the word "lead" is unclear. In most Slavic languages ​​(Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian, Czech, Polish) lead is called tin. A word with the same meaning, but similar in pronunciation to “lead”, is found only in the languages ​​of the Baltic group: švinas (Lithuanian), svins (Latvian).

The Latin plumbum (also of unclear origin) gave the English word plumber - plumber (once pipes were caulked with soft lead), and the name of the Venetian prison with a lead roof - Piomba, from which, according to some sources, Casanova managed to escape. Known since ancient times.

Products made from this metal (coins, medallions) were used in Ancient Egypt, lead water pipes - in Ancient Rome. Lead is referred to as a specific metal in the Old Testament. Lead smelting was the first metallurgical process known to man. Until 1990

Large quantities of lead were used (together with antimony and tin) for casting typographical fonts, and also in the form of tetraethyl lead to increase the octane number of motor fuel.

Getting Lead

Countries are the largest producers of lead (including secondary lead) in 2004 (according to ILZSG), in thousand tons:

EU	2200
USA	1498
China	1256
Korea	219

Physical properties of lead

Lead has a rather low thermal conductivity, it is 35.1 W/(m K) at 0°C. The metal is soft and can be easily cut with a knife. On the surface it is usually covered with a more or less thick film of oxides; when cut, a shiny surface is revealed, which fades over time in air.

Density - 11.3415 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)

Melting point - 327.4 °C

Boiling point - 1740 °C

Chemical properties of lead

Electronic formula: KLMN5s 2 5p 6 5d 10 6s 2 6p 2, according to which it has oxidation states +2 and +4. Lead is not very reactive chemically. A metallic section of lead shows a metallic luster, which gradually disappears due to the formation of a thin film of PbO.

With oxygen it forms a number of compounds Pb2O, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4. Without oxygen, water at room temperature does not react with lead, but at high temperatures lead oxide and hydrogen are produced by the interaction of lead and hot water vapor.

The oxides PbO and PbO2 correspond to the amphoteric hydroxides Pb(OH)2 and Pb(OH)4.

Source: https://heating.ru/electricity/svinec-metall-svoistva-i-primenenie-svinca-chto-takoe-svinec-ego/

News: How is lead obtained? Properties of Lead - Public platform for the development of science and technology - Science4Technology.com

         Lead (Pb) is a chemical element of the sixth period, ninth row, fourth group of the periodic table. Atomic number - 82, atomic mass - 207.21.

         Lead density - 11.344 g/cm3, melting point - 327°C, boiling point - 1525°C, linear expansion coefficient - 29.5 * 10-6, electrical conductivity - 4.9 m/ohm.mm2, electrical resistance from 20.6 up to 36.5 µcom.cm3, in the temperature range from 20°C to 200°C, temperature coefficient of electrical resistance - 4.22*10-6, elastic modulus 1500-1700kg/mm2, Brinell hardness 4.2-6.9kg/mm2.

In its pure form, lead is a bluish-gray soft metal . It has been known since ancient times and was valued for its good fusibility, high density and easy workability.

In nature , lead is present in the form of four stable isotopes, including three of them - the final decay products of the radioactive elements uranium, actinium and thorium. The presence of these isotopes in geological rock deposits allows us to find out how long lead has accumulated and, therefore, measure the age of these rocks.

The ores contain lead along with zinc, silver, copper, gold, bismuth and cadmium. lead in ores ranges from 0.4 to 14%. The largest amount of lead is found in sulfide ores.

         The total world reserves of lead identified today are approximately 150 million tons.

Effect of impurities on lead

         Impurities in lead reduce its density, increase hardness, reduce ductility, and affect chemical resistance.

         Lead of the highest purity, containing a negligible amount of impurities such as gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, is used for the manufacture of batteries, in which the possibility of self-discharge should be minimal.

COPPER

         Copper is especially undesirable in lead used for the production of lead chemical compounds such as white lead, red lead, and nitride. copper in an amount of 0.01% makes litharge (lead additive) unsuitable for making crystal, to which it should give a bluish tint. Lead white gets a bluish tint from copper. Small amounts of copper do not affect the mechanical properties of lead.

ANTIMONY

         Antimony increases the hardness of lead, while simultaneously reducing its malleability and viscosity. Lead alloys with a small amount of antimony are widely used in technology.

Thus, lead alloys with 0.5-1% Sb are used for the manufacture of telephone cable sheaths, with 1-2% Sb - for battery grids, with 4-8% Sb - in the form of sheets and pipes, for chemical and metallurgical equipment, with 10% Sb - for injection molding. Lead-antimony alloys have the property of “aging”.

The electrical conductivity of lead from antimony additives is noticeably reduced. The density of Pb-Sb alloys, depending on the amount of antimony, varies linearly from 11.3 to 6.7 g/cm3.

BISMUTH

         Bismuth reduces the ductility of lead and is a harmful impurity in the manufacture of chemical lead compounds (white lead, red lead, nitride). bismuth in tenths of a percent makes lead unsuitable for the manufacture of high-quality copper-based alloys, leaded brass, tape and automotive bronze.

ARSENIC

         Arsenic forms a low-melting eutectic with lead (292OC) and, even in small quantities, increases the hardness and brittleness of the base metal. This property is used in the manufacture of shot by adding 0.3-0.5% As, and the presence of arsenic increases surface tension and promotes solidification of the shot in the correct spheroid shape.

IRON

         Iron does not fuse with lead and is easily separated during refining.

ZINC

         Zinc imparts hardness to lead and makes it able to accept polishing without reducing the viscosity of the lead, however, the presence of zinc reduces the corrosion resistance of lead.

SULFUR AND OXYGEN

         Sulfur and oxygen, present in the form of lead sulfides and oxides insoluble in solid metal, make the metal hard and reduce its malleability; the presence of sulfur is especially undesirable in the presence of copper and iron.

TIN

         Tin forms a low-melting eutectic with lead (181°C); it is an undesirable impurity for lead used for important purposes (reduces the chemical resistance of lead). The addition of a noticeable amount of tin greatly changes the properties of lead, which is widely used in technology.

Thus, from an alloy with 1-3% Sn, lead foil is made for electrical capacitors, for packing sheaths for cables; alloys with 3-8% Sn are used for hot leading of iron and copper products (sheets and pipes for lining and reinforcing tanks of chrome plating baths) , alloys with 15-25% Sn are used for hot coating of iron and as solders.

Creep of an alloy with 2% Sn, pressed on a press, occurs at a stress of 0.46 kg/mm2.

CALCIUM

         Calcium, introduced artificially, greatly changes the mechanical properties of lead, and these changes become noticeable already at a content of 0.01% Ca. Lead with a content of 0.025-0.04% Ca is used for the sheaths of telephone and power cables, and with a content of 0.045-0 .1%Ca—for battery grids. Alloys of lead and calcium have the ability to “age.”

Action of chemical reagents

AIR and SO2

         In dry air, lead retains a metallic luster, but in humid air it becomes dull, becoming covered from the surface with a thin film of oxides. Lead is very resistant to sulfur dioxide (SO2).

WATER

         Distilled water, which does not contain oxygen, has no effect on lead, but in the presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide, the main carbon-lead salt is formed. The salts present in ordinary water form a dense crust of insoluble carbon-lead salts on the surface of lead, which makes it possible to use lead pipes for transporting process water. Sea water eats away lead.

ACIDS

         Lead is very resistant to sulfuric acid: concentrated H2SO4 begins to react with lead only when heated above 200°C. In the presence of nitric acid, the effect of sulfuric acid on lead is enhanced.

Dilute nitric acid easily dissolves lead; dissolution is accompanied by the release of nitrogen oxides. Hydrochloric acid in weak solutions acts slowly on lead even when heated to 80°C; hot concentrated hydrochloric acid very quickly dissolves lead with the release of hydrogen.

Hydrofluoric acid below its boiling point has no effect on lead. Acetic, citric and tartaric acids slowly dissolve lead.

ALKALI

         A weak solution of caustic soda, with access to air and ammonia solution, slowly dissolves lead. When exposed to air, limewater slightly corrodes lead; ammonia gas has almost no effect on it.

SALT

         Nitric acid and chloride salts are corrosive to lead. Sulfate salts of potassium, sodium, and ammonium have no effect on lead, as well as iron and copper sulfate. Solutions of soda, potash, and potassium cyanide have no effect on lead.

OTHER REAGENTS

         Mineral oils have no effect on lead. Alcohol (96%) and vinegar corrode it. Rapeseed oil also has some effect on lead. Most weak organic acids have no noticeable effect on lead.

What are lead sheets used for?

Lead is widely used in industrial production and construction due to its resistance to corrosion over many years. Over time, this non-ferrous metal is coated with a special gray oxide film, which prevents rust. That is why lead sheet and other products made from this material can be used in places where the microclimate is characterized by high humidity.

Lead sheet in construction

Lead sheets have become an excellent roofing material. Lead sheeting is a durable roofing material that is also used to secure stove and fireplace pipes and as a protective covering for walls or stone.

Lead sheets – radiation protection

Lead sheets have good soundproofing properties and can dampen sound waves. So, doors made of lead are absolutely soundproof. In addition, it prevents the spread of gamma rays, and if necessary, lead sheets can be used as protective screens against ionizing radiation and its other varieties.

Lead shielding can be seen in a laboratory, an X-ray room, and other facilities where it is necessary to neutralize the effects of radiation. Lead sheet is used as a material for the production of doors, screens, screens, as well as anti-radiation “clothing”: aprons, collars, vests.

Rolled lead in mechanical engineering

Low thermal conductivity as one of the qualities of rolled lead explains its demand in the metallurgical and mechanical engineering fields. Lead sheets and rolls can be used to create batteries and cables.

The most common product, the manufacture of which cannot be imagined without a lead sheet, is the battery plate. Its production takes up to 30% of the total volume of lead mined in the world. Thus, mechanical engineering (automotive industry, aviation industry, etc.) cannot do without the use of rolled lead.

You can purchase lead sheets and other products made of non-ferrous metals from our company. We offer reasonable prices and reasonable conditions! Contact us and order!

Source: https://www.alfa-sous.ru/dlya-chego-ispolzuyutsya-svinczovyie-listyi.html

NPP Firm Sodby - NPP Firm Sodby

Lead is widely used in the production of electrical cables, lead acid batteries, and in the military industry. It is part of many alloys: for bearings (babbitt), printing alloy, etc., it absorbs gamma rays well and is used for protection against gamma radiation when working with radioactive substances and x-rays.

Chemical composition of various grades of lead:

Brand Components Pb, no less than Ag, no more than Cu, no more than Zn, no more than Bi, no more than As, no more than Sn, no more than Sb, no more than Fe, no more than Mg, Ca, Na Amount

C0	99,992	0,0003	0,0005	0,001	0,004	0,0005	0,0005	0,0005	0,001	0,002	0,008
S1S	99,99	0,001	0,001	0,001	0,005	0,0005	0,0005	0,001	0,001	0,002	0,01
C1	99,985	0,001	0,001	0,001	0,006	0,0005	0,0005	0,001	0,001	0,003	0,015
С2С	99,97	0,002	0,002	0,002	0,02	0,002	0,001	0,005	0,001	0,003	0,08
C2	99,95	0,0015	0,001	0,001	0,03	0,002	0,002	0,005	0,002	0,015	0,05
С3С	99,5	0,01	0,09	0,07	0,15	0,05	0,1	0,2	0,01	—	0,5
C3	99,9	0,0015	0,002	0,005	0,06	0,005	0,002	0,005	0,005	0,04	0,1

Notes:

1. In C0 grade lead intended for the production of red lead, the mass fraction of chromium impurity should not exceed 0.0001%. The mass fraction of chromium in C0 grade lead is guaranteed by the manufacturer.
2. Lead of the C1C, C2C and C3C grades is produced at the consumer’s request.

Lead delivery form:

Lead is produced in the form of pigs with a flat base or interlocking shape, ingots and blocks. Ingots are produced weighing from 30 to 40 kg, blocks - 1, 2 and 3 tons. Permissible deviations in the weight of blocks are ±10%. The shape and dimensions of blocks and ingots, as well as the weight of the ingots, are established by agreement between the manufacturer and the consumer.

The surface of lead ingots, blocks and ingots must be free of powdered oxides and foreign inclusions (slag, bricks, etc.). Tempered colors, white coating and shrinkage cavities are allowed. Pigs, blocks and ingots should not be layered.

Each pig, block and ingot of lead must be marked with the manufacturer's trademark and batch number.

Areas of application of various grades of lead:
C0 - for the production of red lead
C1, C2, C3 - production of batteries (for grinding into powder), in the chemical industry for the production of rolled lead and lining of equipment containers, for anti-corrosion lining, for the production of babbitts and solders, for the production lead anodes and cathodes.

Color marking when supplying lead On pigs, ingots and blocks, one stripe of the following color is applied with indelible paint along the end: C0 - red C1 - not marked C1 - green C2 - yellow C2 - white C3 - blue

C3C - brown

1. Each package must indicate: the number of pigs in the package, the serial number of the package, net weight.
2. On each block and ingot of lead intended for long-term storage, the serial number of the block or ingot and the net weight must be indicated on the top surface. By agreement between the manufacturer and the consumer, when forming ingots into bags, it is allowed to apply color markings only to one ingot in the top row of the bag.
3. Lead intended for export is marked in accordance with the order of the foreign trade association.
4. It is allowed to apply waterproof digital markings by hand on the top surface of the bag.

Lead transportation conditions:

1. Lead in ingots is transported in universal containers in accordance with GOST 18477 or formed into bags. Packages of ingots must meet the following requirements:
   • number of rows in the package - from 5 to 7;
   • number of ingots in a row - 5 pcs.;
   • number of pigs in a bag - from 25 to 35 pcs.;
   • package weight is no more than 1500 kg. To avoid overloading the car, it is allowed to reduce the number of rows of ingots in separate packages.
2. Packages of flat ingots and ingots of interlocking shape must be tied with steel packaging tape, stretched and fastened into a lock with clamping machines.
3. The lock is located on the upper base of the package. The upper free end of the tape in the belt is cut off at the lock at an angle of 90°. The length of the lower curved end of the tape should not exceed 70 mm from the lock. Tape thickness 0.9-1 mm, width 30 mm, tensile strength of at least 35 kg*s/mm2 according to GOST 3560.
4. Devices for securing packages in covered cars must comply with GOST 22477.

Safety requirements:

Safety requirements for working with lead for the manufacturer and consumer are according to technological documentation in accordance with GOST 12.3.002 and GOST 3.1120.

Acceptance rules:

1. Lead is taken in batches. The batch must consist of lead of the same brand and must be issued with one quality document containing:
   • trademark or name and trademark of the manufacturer;
   • name of the product and its brand;
   • batch number;
   • lot weight and number of packages, blocks or ingots;
   • analysis results;
   • release date;
   • designation of this standard.

   The batch weight should not exceed 500 tons.

2. To check the mass and chemical composition of lead, 2% of the pigs are selected from each batch, but not less than 5 pieces. and 10% blocks and ingots, but not less than 3 pcs. At the manufacturing plant, a lead sample is taken from the liquid metal evenly during the pouring process of a batch of metal at the beginning, in the middle and at the end.

   The manufacturer determines the mass fraction of arsenic, tin, antimony, as well as the amount of magnesium, sodium and calcium in all grades of lead periodically, at least once a month. The mass fraction of chromium in C0 grade lead intended for the production of red lead is determined periodically by the manufacturer, at least once every 6 months.

3. All pigs, blocks and ingots included in the batch are subjected to surface quality testing.

4. If unsatisfactory test results are obtained for at least one of the indicators, repeated tests are carried out on it on a double sample taken from the same batch. The results of repeated tests are applied to the entire batch.

Control methods:

1. To control the chemical composition of lead, selected pigs are drilled with a drill with a diameter of 10 - 20 mm. The entry and exit points of the drill are cleaned to a depth of 0.3 - 0.5 mm. The pigs are drilled at six points - three each on the top and bottom surfaces, with one drilling made in the middle and two at a distance of 1/6 diagonally from the corner to a depth equal to half the height of the pig. It is allowed to take a sample by sawing or milling.

   Each pig is sawn or milled in three places - in the middle and at equal distances from the middle, approximately at a distance of 1/4 of the length of the pig. The surface of the pigs at the sampling sites is cleaned of dirt and oxides with a metal brush, grinding or scraping until a clean metal surface is obtained. Sampling is carried out dry, without the use of coolants and lubricants, at a moderate speed (to avoid overheating and oxidation).

   A sample from blocks and ingots is taken by cutting off two diagonally opposite corners along the entire height of the block or ingot. The shavings and sawdust taken from all ingots, ingots or blocks are mixed. The resulting combined sample is crushed with scissors to particles 3-5 mm in size, thoroughly mixed and treated with a magnet, after which it is reduced by quartering to obtain a laboratory sample weighing at least 2 kg.

   The laboratory sample is divided into two equal parts, one of which is submitted for analysis, the other is stored as a duplicate.

2. Sampling from liquid metal is carried out by casting test ingots. The shape and weight of test ingots are not regulated. At the manufacturing plant, it is allowed to prepare the combined sample in the form of cylinders in an amount of at least three.

   If necessary, the selected combined sample is reduced to obtain a sample weighing at least 3 kg. The laboratory sample is divided into two parts, placed in plastic bags, into which labels are inserted indicating the date of sampling, batch number and the name of the sampler. One part of the sample is submitted for analysis, the other is stored at the manufacturer for 6 months.

3. Lead analysis is carried out according to GOST 20580.0 - GOST20580.

   8, GOST 26880.1, GOST 26880.2 or GOST 8857. The manufacturer is allowed to carry out analyzes using other methods that are not inferior in accuracy to the standard ones. If disagreements arise in assessing the quality of lead, the chemical composition is determined according to GOST 20580.0 - GOST 20580.8, GOST 26880.1, GOST 26880.2 or GOST 8857.

4. The mass fraction of lead is determined by the difference between 100% and the sum of the mass fractions of standardized impurities as a percentage.

5. The surface quality of lead ingots, ingots and blocks is checked visually, without the use of magnifying devices.

Transportation and storage:

1. Lead in ingots is transported by all types of transport in covered vehicles, in accordance with the rules of cargo transportation in force for this type of transport. It is allowed, by agreement of the manufacturer, the consumer and transport organizations, to transport lead ingots in open vehicles.
2. Preparation of lead for transportation by sea - in accordance with GOST 26653.
3. Lead in blocks, ingots and containers is transported by all types of transport.
4. Lead intended for long-term storage is transported only in packages, blocks or ingots.
5. Transport vehicles for lead intended for long-term storage must be clean.
6. Lead is transported to the Far North and hard-to-reach areas in containers in accordance with GOST 18477 or in packages in accordance with the requirements of GOST 15846.
7. Transportation of packages - according to GOST 21399.
8. Lead is stored under a shed.

   It is allowed to store lead in blocks and ingots in specially prepared areas.

Manufacturer's warranty:

The manufacturer guarantees that the quality of lead meets the requirements of this standard subject to the conditions of transportation and storage established by the standard.

Guaranteed shelf life of lead in blocks and ingots in open areas: with a sulfur dioxide content of 0.22 - 10 mg/m 3 - 5 years; with a sulfur dioxide content of 0.02 - 0.21 mg/m 3 - 10 years; with a sulfur dioxide content of less than 0.02 mg/m 3 - 15 years.

Chemical properties of lead:
In terms of chemical properties, lead is a low-active metal: in the electrochemical series of voltages it stands immediately before hydrogen. Therefore, lead is easily replaced by other metals from solutions of its salts.

If you dip a zinc stick into an acidified solution of lead acetate, lead is released on it in the form of a fluffy coating of small crystals, which has the ancient name “Saturn wood”. If you slow down the reaction by wrapping the zinc in filter paper, larger lead crystals grow.

The most typical oxidation state for lead is +2; Lead(IV) compounds are much less stable. Lead is practically insoluble in dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, including due to the formation of an insoluble film of chloride or sulfate on the surface.

Lead reacts with strong sulfuric acid (at a concentration of more than 80%) to form soluble hydrosulfate Pb(HSO 4) 2, and in hot concentrated hydrochloric acid, dissolution is accompanied by the formation of complex chloride H 4 PbCl 6. Lead is easily oxidized with dilute nitric acid: Pb + 4HNO 3 => Pb(NO 3 ) 2 + 2NO 2 + H 2 O.

Source: https://www.armada-met.ru/component/content/article?id=15:gost-izgotovlenie-svintsa

What is lead and where is it used?

Lead (Latin name plumbum ) is a chemical element, a metal with atomic number 82. In its pure form, the substance has a silvery, slightly bluish tint.

Due to the fact that lead is widespread in nature, it is easy to mine and process, this metal has been known to mankind since ancient times.

It is known that people used lead as early as the 7th millennium BC. In Ancient Egypt, and later in Ancient Rome, lead was mined and processed. Lead is quite soft and malleable, so even before the invention of smelting furnaces, it was used to make metal objects.

For example, the Romans made pipes for their water supply network from lead.

In the Middle Ages, lead was used as a roofing material and for the production of seals. For a long time, people did not know about the dangers of the substance, so it was mixed into wine and used in construction. Even in the 20th century, lead was added to printing ink and gasoline additives.

Properties of lead

In nature, lead is most often found in the form of compounds included in ores. The ores are mined and then the pure substance is isolated industrially. The metal itself, as well as its compounds, have unique physical and chemical properties, which explains the widespread use of lead in various industries.

Lead has the following properties:

- very soft, obedient metal that can be cut with a knife;

- heavy, denser than iron;

— melts at relatively low temperatures (327 degrees);

- oxidizes quickly in air. A piece of pure lead is always coated with a layer of oxide.

Lead toxicity

Lead has one unpleasant feature: it itself and its compounds are toxic. Lead poisoning is chronic: with constant intake into the body, the element accumulates in the bones and organs, causing serious damage.

For a long time, the volatile compound tetraethyl lead was used to improve gasoline, which caused environmental pollution in cities. Now in civilized countries the use of this additive is prohibited.

Lead Applications

Nowadays, the toxicity of lead is well known. At the same time, lead and its compounds can be of great benefit if used rationally and competently.

The efforts of scientists and developers are aimed at maximizing the beneficial properties of lead, reducing its danger to humans. Lead is used in a variety of industries, including:

- in medicine and other fields where protection from radiation is necessary. Lead does not transmit any radiation well, so it is used as protection. In particular, lead plates are sewn into aprons that patients wear for safety during X-ray examinations. The protective properties of lead are used in the nuclear industry, science, and the production of nuclear weapons;

— in the electrical industry . Lead is slightly susceptible to corrosion - this property is actively used in electrical engineering. Lead-acid batteries are the most widely used. They contain lead plates immersed in electrolyte.

The galvanic process produces enough electrical current to start a car engine. The battery industry is the largest consumer of lead in the world.

In addition, lead is used to protect cables, produce cable trunkings, fuses, and superconductors;

- in the military industry . Lead is used to make bullets, shot and shells. Lead nitrate is included in explosive mixtures, lead azide is used as a detonator;

— in the production of dyes and building mixtures . Lead white, once extremely common, is now giving way to other paints. Lead is used in the production of putties, cement, protective coatings for glass and ceramics.

Due to the toxicity of lead, they are trying to limit the use of this metal, replacing it with alternative materials.

Much attention is paid to the safety of lead-related industries, the disposal of products containing this element, as well as to reduce the contact of lead parts with humans and the release of the substance into the environment.

Source: http://www.vseznaika.org/chemiks/chto-takoe-svinec-i-gde-on-primenyaetsya/

Use and production of lead

Lead is a metal that has a silvery-white color and a bluish tint. In the periodic table of chemical elements it is assigned number 82. The metal is quite popular. Not a shortage. Easy to extract and process.

Table 1. Characteristics of lead CharacteristicsValue

Properties of the atom
Name, symbol, number	Lead / Plumbum (Pb), 82
Atomic mass(molar mass)	207.2(1)[1] a. e.m. (g/mol)
Electronic configuration	[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2
Atomic radius	175 pm
Chemical properties
Covalent radius	147 pm
Ion radius	(+4e) 84 (+2e) 120 pm
Electronegativity	2.33 (Pauling scale)
Electrode potential	Pb←Pb2+ −0.126 VPb←Pb4+ 0.80 V
Oxidation states	4, 2, 0
Ionization energy(first electron)	715.2 (7.41) kJ/mol (eV)
Thermodynamic properties of a simple substance
Density (at normal conditions)	11.3415[2] g/cm³
Melting temperature	600.61 K (327.46 °C, 621.43 °F)[3]
Boiling temperature	2022 K (1749 °C, 3180 °F)[3]
Ud. heat of fusion	4.77 kJ/mol
Ud. heat of vaporization	177.8 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity	26.65[2] J/(K mol)
Molar volume	18.3 cm³/mol
Crystal lattice of a simple substance
Lattice structure	cubic face-centered
Lattice parameters	4.950 Å
Debye temperature	88.00 K
Other characteristics
Thermal conductivity	(300 K) 35.3 W/(mK)

Based on the content of various impurities, the following types of lead are distinguished:

1. C1 is primary lead, containing in its composition an amount of impurities equal to 0.015%. It is considered the highest quality product, resistant to aggressive environments and corrosion.
2. C2 - somewhat similar to the previous type, but has a slightly higher percentage of impurities - 0.05%. Its cost differs from the cost of C1 to a lesser extent.
3. C3 is primary lead, which contains a maximum amount of impurities equal to 0.1%. This type of lead is the main raw material for the production of ingots and pigs.

It is worth noting that humanity has been familiar with lead since ancient times. Evidence of this are archaeological finds, including lead beads from 6400 BC.

, a figurine of a standing young lady in a long skirt, which dates back to the first dynasty of Egypt and many other items. The figurine dates back to 3100 – 2900. BC. Currently it can be seen on display at the British Museum. Thus, scientists came to the conclusion that lead smelting was one of the first metallurgical processes mastered by people.

In those distant times, the lead in lead production belonged to Ancient Rome, which produced about 80 thousand tons of material per year.

Native lead is quite difficult to find in nature. However, the number of rocks in which lead has been found is vast, ranging from sedimentary to ultramafic intrusive.

In such formations, it usually forms intermetallic compounds and alloys with other elements. Lead is an integral element in 80 different minerals, the main ones being galena, cerussite, anglesite, tillite, betechninite, jamesonite, and boulangerite.

Also, its content in uranium and thorium ores is constant.

Lead mining

As already mentioned, lead is a fairly common element. Its deposits are found in many countries, including Russia, Australia, Kazakhstan and many others.

Lead is produced mainly by smelting from polymetallic ores: lead-zinc, copper-lead-zinc. As a rule, they also contain other components, for example, gold, silver, bismuth, arsenic.

Lead production is carried out according to a certain scheme, which consists of the extraction of raw materials, preparation of the charge, agglomerating roasting, shaft smelting, and fire refining of rough material.

In order to obtain a self-melting final product, during the calculation of the charge, whenever possible, calculations of its contents are made. This avoids the introduction of fluxes during melting.

Of all the minerals in the production of metal, galena - lead sulfide, cerussite - carbon salt, and anglesite - sulfate are preferred. The maximum metal content in the ore is 8-9%. This indicator indicates that the extraction of the product is economically unprofitable. In this regard, before extracting lead from it, the ore is enriched in various ways, after which lead is obtained from it. However, it is much more rational to use richer ore for lead mining - sulfide.

About 40% of the metal is obtained in the process of processing secondary raw materials. It is worth noting that lead has a very high toxicity, and therefore absolutely every finished product containing lead in its composition is subject to special disposal. In this regard, today there are technologies that make it possible not to dispose of heavy metal, but to recycle a dangerous product. Recycled materials are usually used for the manufacture of various alloys.

Among the main industrial methods for producing lead are:

1. Pyrometallurgical. In this case, absolutely all components of the material melt. This method is the most common in metallurgy.  
2. Hydrometallurgical. When using this method, the concentrates are decomposed, for which solvents are used, after which the lead is restored by chemical methods.

The first method includes various types of smelting:

• reduction smelting, which is a universal method used for ore that contains any amount of substance and any additives;
• shaft smelting, in which the melting of the product occurs in a reducing atmosphere;
• reflective melting. Currently not in use;
• furnace melting. Like reflective, not used;
• precipitation smelting. Thanks to its use, it is possible to obtain a substance from ore without pre-roasting;
• alkaline melting. Used for smelting lead concentrate, which is heated to 8500C with alkaline soda. The output is a fairly pure metal and an alkali alloy.

Where is lead used?

Lead (Latin name plumbum ) is a chemical element, a metal with atomic number 82. In its pure form, the substance has a silvery, slightly bluish tint.

Due to the fact that lead is widespread in nature, it is easy to mine and process, this metal has been known to mankind since ancient times. It is known that people used lead as early as the 7th millennium BC.

In Ancient Egypt, and later in Ancient Rome, lead was mined and processed. Lead is quite soft and malleable, so even before the invention of smelting furnaces, it was used to make metal objects.

For example, the Romans made pipes for their water supply network from lead.

In the Middle Ages, lead was used as a roofing material and for the production of seals. For a long time, people did not know about the dangers of the substance, so it was mixed into wine and used in construction. Even in the 20th century, lead was added to printing ink and gasoline additives.

PROPERTIES

Lead has a rather low thermal conductivity, it is 35.1 W/(m•K) at a temperature of 0 °C. The metal is soft, can be cut with a knife, and is easily scratched with a fingernail.

On the surface it is usually covered with a more or less thick film of oxides; when cut, a shiny surface is revealed, which fades over time in air. Melting point - 600.61 K (327.46 °C), boils at 2022 K (1749 °C). Belongs to the group of heavy metals; its density is 11.3415 g/cm 3 (+20 °C).

As the temperature increases, the density of lead decreases. Tensile strength - 12-13 MPa (MN/m2). At a temperature of 7.26 K it becomes a superconductor.

Reserves and production

Source: http://morewomen.ru/info/svinec-gde-ispolzuetsja/