Substances formed by the addition of one or more elements, usually metals, to lead. Lead alloys may exhibit greatly improved mechanical or chemical properties as compared to pure lead. The major alloying additions to lead are antimony and tin. The solubilities of most other elements in lead are small, but even fractional weight percent additions of some of these elements, notably copper and arsenic, can alter properties appreciably.
Lead is used as a sheath over the electrical components to protect power and telephone cable from moisture. Lead alloy grids are used in the lead-acid storage battery (the type used in automobiles) to support the active material composing the plates. Chemical-resistant alloys are used extensively in many applications requiring resistance to water, atmosphere, or chemical corrosion. Lead bearing metals (babbitt metals) find frequent application in cast sleeve bearings, and are used extensively in freight-car journal bearings. Lead-base solder contains large amounts of tin with selected minor additions to provide specific benefits. See also Alloy; Lead; Lead metallurgy; Soldering; Tin alloys.
