Lead and lead alloys

Abstract

Lead constitutes only about 12.5 wtppm (weight part per million) lead Pbwtppm (weight part per million) of the earth's crust, but concentrated lead ore deposits make it easy to mine. Lead and its alloys are used in a wide range of technical applications because of their low melting point, ease of casting, high density, softness and high formability at room temperature, excellent resistance to corrosion in acidic environments, attractive electrochemical behavior in many chemical environments, chemical stability in air, water and soil, and the high atomic number and stable nuclear structure. Despite their known toxicity, lead and its alloys can be handled safely and it ranks fifth in tonnage consumed (6 Mt ∕ yr), after Fe, Cu, Al, and Zn. The type of data available on different alloys depends to a great extent on the areas of application.