Lead Foil

Lead Foil is a soft, malleable, and dense metallic sheet material highly effective for radiation attenuation, particularly in the X-ray and gamma energy ranges due to its high atomic number (Z=82) and mass attenuation coefficient. It is widely used in radiological shielding, environmental radiation barriers, and vacuum system enclosures requiring EMI/RFI protection. Its low permeability also makes it useful in chemical shielding and nuclear gloveboxes. Thin lead foils are easily conformable to surfaces, making them ideal for lining irregular geometries in imaging suites or reactor infrastructure. In spectroscopy and synchrotron beamline facilities, lead foil acts as a localized shield to minimize scatter and dose exposure. Despite susceptibility to corrosion under acidic vapor exposure, it remains a staple in medical, nuclear, and aerospace sectors due to its unmatched shielding efficiency. Current research continues to refine lead-based multilayered structures and improve safe integration in composite systems.

Quick Links:

Tolerance

Properties

Reference & Citations

Serious health hazard

each

Tolerances

Foil

Thickness	<0.01mm	±25%
Thickness	0.01mm - 0.05mm	±15%
Thickness	>0.05mm	±10%

Material Properties for Metals

Atomic Properties

Element	Value
Atomic number	82
Crystal structure	Face centred cubic
Electronic structure	Xe 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p²
Valences shown	2, 4
Atomic weight( amu )	207.2
Thermal neutron absorption cross-section( Barns )	0.18
Photo-electric work function( eV )	4
Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% )	207/ 22.1
Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% )	208/ 52.4
Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% )	206/ 24.1
Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% )	204/ 1.4
Atomic radius - Goldschmidt( nm )	0.175
Ionisation potential( No./eV )	5/ 68.8
Ionisation potential( No./eV )	3/ 31.9
Ionisation potential( No./eV )	4/ 42.3
Ionisation potential( No./eV )	2/ 15.03
Ionisation potential( No./eV )	1/ 7.42

Mechanical Properties

Element	Value
Hardness - Mohs	1.5
Material condition	Polycrystalline
Material condition	Sand cast
Poisson's ratio	0.44
Poisson's ratio	0.44
Bulk modulus( GPa )	45.8
Bulk modulus( GPa )	45.8
Tensile modulus( GPa )	16.1
Tensile modulus( GPa )	16.1
Tensile strength( MPa )	12
Yield strength( MPa )	5.5

Electrical Properties

Element	Value
Electrical resistivity( µOhmcm )	20.6@20@20°C
Superconductivity critical temperature( K )	7.196
Temperature coefficient( K⁻¹ )	0.0042@0-100°C
Thermal emf against Pt (cold 0C - hot 100C)( mV )	0.44

Physical Properties

Element	Value
Boiling point( C )	1740
Density( gcm⁻³ )	11.35@20

Thermal Properties

Element	Value
Melting point( C )	327.5
Latent heat of evaporation( J g⁻¹ )	862
Latent heat of fusion( J g⁻¹ )	23.2
Specific heat( J K⁻¹ kg⁻¹ )	159@25°C
Thermal conductivity( W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ )	35.3@0-100°C
Coefficient of thermal expansion( x10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ )	29@0-100°C