antimonial lead

alloy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Antimonial lead is an alloy primarily composed of lead and antimony, typically containing 1-6% antimony but sometimes up to 25%. This alloy is also known as "hard lead" due to its improved hardness and strength compared to pure lead.1

Key applications for antimonial lead include:
* Lead-acid storage batteries: It is used for cast grids and terminals, with antimony content up to 8%.1
* Cable sheathing: Used for protecting electrical cables.1
* Ammunition: Employed in the manufacturing of bullets and shot.1
* Tank linings: Used for lining tanks due to its corrosion resistance.2

Antimonial lead's strength diminishes significantly at temperatures above 120°C (250°F).1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

lead processing
Antimonial lead
The most common and important metal alloyed with lead is antimony. Antimonial lead alloys usually contain from 1 to 6 percent antimony, but they may contain as much as 25 percent. Other components usually include tin, iron, copper, zinc, silver, arsenic, or traces…
Read More
The most common and important metal alloyed with lead is antimony. Antimonial lead alloys usually contain from 1 to 6 percent antimony, but they may contain as much as 25 percent. Other components usually include tin, iron, copper, zinc, silver, arsenic, or traces…
Read More