15 Lead Uses in Different Industries (Need To Know Facts!)

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Lead is a shiny and soft metal that belongs post-transition metal group in the periodic table. Let us read about the uses of lead in industries in this article.

Lead (Pb) is denser and heavier than most general metals or non-metals. It has several uses in today’s world as discussed below:

  • Lead is being used in batteries to form different chemical compounds.
  • Pb is used as the weight for lifting and weight belts.
  • Pb is also used as protection against radiation.

We will see some major uses of lead and its compounds like tetraethyl lead, soldering lead, antimonial lead or lead acetate in the industries through this article.

Tetraethyl lead uses

Tetraethyl lead commonly abbreviated as TEL, is an organolead compound with the chemical formula Pb(C2H5)4. Tetraethyl lead was earlier used in engine oils to increase efficiency. The common uses of TEL are given below:

  • The TEL was used for cooling intakes in the engines and as a buffer solution for the micro welders.
  • Tetraethyllead was used in fuels of vehicles and in the aviation industry to provide efficiency by controlling the octane rating. Later industries stopped the usage of Pb(C2H5)4.

Soldering lead uses

Soldering lead is a mixture of lead and tin made in soldering wire to be used for the soldering process. The use of soldering lead is mentioned below:

  • Soldering lead is used for soldering electrical components that cannot bear high temperatures because soldering lead melts at a lower temperature.
  • Soldering lead also has good electrical conductivity and strength, so the welds are strong and working properly.

Antimonial lead uses

Antimonial lead is a common and useful alloy composed of lead and antimony in 1 to 6% but can also be added upto 25%. Some important industrial uses of antimonial lead are discussed below.

  • Antimonial lead is used to manufacture bearings, wheel weights, sheet leads and ballets.
  • Antimonial lead is also used in step soldering of metal pieces where different temperatures are needed.

Lead acetate uses

Lead acetate [Pb(CH3COO)2] is also known as lead diacetate, lead sugar, salt of Saturn and Goulard’s powder. Pb(CH3COO)2 has a slightly sweet taste and is soluble in water and glycerin. Some common uses of lead acetate are mentioned below:

  • In earlier ages, lead acetate was used as a substitute for sugar and honey to provide sweetness to food and drinkables.
  • Lead acetate was used in cosmetics like hair colour for men but was later stopped due to its adverse effects.
  • Pb(CH3COO)2 was used to detect the presence of hydrogen sulphide gas.
  • The aqueous solution of Pb(CH3COO)2 is used to clean the steel surfaces like compensators and suppressors.
  • Pb(CH3COO)2 was used to manufacture slow matches in the Middle Ages by combining lead acetate and vinegar.

Lead oxide uses

Lead oxides are composed of lead and oxygen in different proportions. The common lead oxides are PbO, Pb2O3 and PbO2. Some important uses of lead oxide are mentioned below.

  • Lead oxide is a very important compound widely used in batteries, gas sensors, ceramics, the glass industry and paints.
  • Lead oxide is sometimes used as a catalyst to change the rate of reaction.

Conclusion:

Lead and the compounds made from lead are widely used in many industries, but their use has also decreased in many areas over time due to the better alternatives available. Lead oxides, soldering, and antimonial lead are the major industrial compounds.

Read more about following uses in different industries

Hafnium Uses
Arsenic Uses		 Lead Uses
Hydrogen Uses		 Molybdenum Uses
Neon Uses		 Gold Uses Antimony Uses