What are the uses of lead?

Answer 1

•Lead has a number of uses, It can be processed into sheet lead, white lead or red lead.

•Sheet lead was used for lead piping and construction purposes for example used as roofing material or flashings (i.e. between the chimney and the roof or where a drain joins a gutter to stop weathering and leaks). It was also used for making leaded bronze ornaments and toys, Lead weights, bullets and shot, coffins, and to make leaded crystal glass.

•White lead was used for mixing in with the glazes for pottery to achieve a shiny and waterproof surface. It was used in medicinal ointments such as soothing lotions and most medicine was also thought to last better if kept in lead containers. White lead makes a long lasting white paint and was also used in cosmetics.

•Red Lead was a pigment used in paint and protective coatings for structural iron and steel work. It was also very much used, in the making of high quality lead crystal glass.

Lead has a risk of replacing iron in the blood, and perhaps other issues in the body that lead to toxicity. And thus the uses are being limited. However, a lot of lead is still in use today in a variety of industries.

Current Uses:

* Fishing Weights.

* Solders for electrical connections and for copper/brass radiators.

* Solders in non-potable pipes. Packing around drain pipes.

* Some older houses may have drain pipes made out of lead.

* Keel weights for sailboats

* Tire balancing weights

* Alloy components in low melting point alloys used to automatically activate sprinkler systems when they melt.

* Bullets

* Component in the majority of car batteries.

* Leaded Glass Crystal

* Radiation Shielding

* X-Ray Shielding from medical X-Rays including Lead aprons.

Past Uses:

* In the past lead solders and alloys have been used as car body fillers, now largely replaced by plastics (Bondo).

* In the past it has been used as a fuel additive, purportedly to soften the opening and closing of engine valves.

* In the past it has been used in paints (although recently there was a report of imported toys with lead based paints).

* Old houses may use lead solders on copper water pipes, now not legal

* Romans were said to have made lead potable water pipes in their cities.

* Many Russian and Middle Eastern Samovars are used to make hot tea water, and were assembled with lead based solders.

* Lead-Silver Alloy called pewter used in various cookware.

Answer 2

Lead is commonly used in batteries, ammunition, and radiation shielding due to its high density and ability to absorb vibration and radiation. It is also used in construction materials, such as lead flashing and solder, as well as in some types of artwork and stained glass. However, lead poses health risks when ingested or inhaled, so its use is becoming increasingly restricted.

Answer 3

lead is used in making pencils tips and also for making many alloys when mixed with other elements...