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Lead
Lead (Pb) is a soft, heavy, malleable metal with a bluish-white color that tarnishes to a dull gray. Known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high density, lead has been widely used historically in pipes, batteries, radiation shielding, and construction materials. Despite toxicity concerns, lead remains critical in certain industrial and scientific applications, especially where shielding from radiation is essential.
Goodfellow offers a comprehensive range of Lead products, including Lead Coils (rolled sheets), Lead Foils, and Lead Sputtering Targets, designed for advanced laboratory research and industrial applications. Known for its high density and exceptional radiation shielding capabilities, Lead plays a critical role in fields such as nuclear physics, medical imaging, and material science. Our Lead products are widely used in applications like radiation protection, soundproofing, and specialized coatings. With additional uses in electronics, aerospace, and R&D laboratories, these metal materials provide reliable solutions for cutting-edge technological and material advancements.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 82 |
| Density | 11.34 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 327.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 1749 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 35.3 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 208 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Face-centered cubic (fcc) |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 1.5 Mohs |
| Elastic Modulus | 16 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.44 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good in air; forms protective oxide layer |
| Reactivity | Reacts with acids and oxidizes slowly in air |
| Oxidation States | +2 (most common), +4 (less common) |
| Surface Oxide | Lead oxide (PbO) |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pb |
| Atomic Number | 82 |
| CAS Number | 7439-92-1 |
| UN Number | UN3077 (metal); UN2291 (compound) |
| EINECS Number | 231-100-4 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pb-204 | Stable | 1.4% natural abundance |
| Pb-206 | Stable | 24.1% natural abundance |
| Pb-207 | Stable | 22.1% natural abundance |
| Pb-208 | Stable | 52.4% natural abundance |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Radiation Shielding | Widely used in labs and medical facilities to block X-rays and gamma rays |
| Battery Research | Lead-acid battery electrodes for energy storage studies |
| Environmental Studies | Tracer isotope studies in geological and environmental sciences |
| Analytical Chemistry | Lead salts used in qualitative analysis and reagent preparation |
| Geochronology | Lead isotope ratios applied in dating rocks and minerals |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Batteries | Main component of lead-acid batteries used in vehicles and backup power systems |
| Radiation Shielding | Protective barriers in nuclear reactors and medical equipment |
| Solders | Lead-based solders for electronics and plumbing (where allowed) |
| Construction | Used in roofing, cladding, and piping due to durability and corrosion resistance |
| Alloying | Mixed with other metals to improve machinability and corrosion resistance |
| Purity | Main Use |
|---|---|
| Pb 96% (1N6) | Used in industrial alloys and corrosion-resistant applications |
| Pb 97% (1N7) | General purpose applications, including low-cost alloys and casting |
| Pb 99.5% (2N5) | High-quality lead for battery manufacturing and radiation shielding |
| Pb 99.9% (2N9) | Electronics and precision casting; reduced impurities for better conductivity |
| Pb 99.95% (3N5) | Specialized scientific research, advanced battery components |
| Pb 99.99% (4N) | Ultra-pure lead for high-performance applications and analytical use |
| Pb 99.999% (5N) | Research-grade purity for semiconductor and experimental uses |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Pb |
| Elemental Lead |
| Lead Metal |
| Plumbum (Latin) |
| Plomb (French) |
| Piombo (Italian) |
| Plomo (Spanish) |
| Blei (German) |