corroding lead
Quick Summary
Corroding lead is a designation for lead refined to at least 99.94 percent purity. This purity level was historically achieved through a process called corroding, though this is not indicative of the metal's current properties. Pure lead has relatively poor mechanical properties, so it is often alloyed with other elements to enhance its strength and hardness.12
Common lead alloys include:
* Antimonial lead: Contains 1-6% antimony, improving hardness and strength. It's used in lead-acid batteries.1
* Lead-silver alloys: Used for solder joints requiring higher temperature resistance.3
* Bearing alloys: These include lead-based babbitt metals and bronzes, which are soft enough to prevent damage to bearings during lubrication failure.4
Lead alloys are versatile and can be fabricated into various forms like pipes, sheets, and shielding for X-rays and sound isolation. However, lead exposure can lead to lead poisoning, a serious health concern affecting the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood.15
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