Lead was one of the first metals discovered by humans and played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution. It has been used since ancient times for various purposes, including in paints, pipes, and even as writing tablets in Roman times.

Physical Properties

Lead is a soft, silvery-white or grayish metal that is very malleable and ductile. It has a relatively low melting point of 327.5 °C and is dense with a density of 11.29 gram/cm³ at 20 °C. Despite being a poor conductor of electricity, lead’s durability and resistance to corrosion have made it valuable in many applications2.

Modern Applications

Today, lead is used in a range of applications, including:

* Batteries: Particularly lead-acid batteries for vehicles.

* Radiation Shielding: For nuclear reactors and X-ray equipment due to its high density.

* Ammunition: In bullets and shot.

* Soldering Materials: As an alloy, lead is used in solders for joining metal parts.

* Sound Absorption: In construction to reduce noise.

* Crystal Glass Production: For fine crystal and flint glass.

* Alloys: Combined with other metals like antimony or copper to enhance its properties13.