Specific weight of lead, properties, applications and value table

Lead is an element of the fourth group of the main subgroup of the corresponding table of elements. Lead in its simple form is a low-melting, malleable metal of white color with a silvery shade and a bluish tint.

This type of material has been used for many millennia because it is easy to extract, easy to process and widespread in all parts of the world. Although native lead is very rare, it is widely found in various rocks. Approximately about eighty different types of rocks contain lead.

Table of the specific weight of lead

Since lead is a complex material, it is not possible to calculate its specific weight independently in field conditions. These calculations are carried out in special chemical laboratories. However, the average specific weight of lead is known and is equal to 11.336 g/cm³.

To simplify calculations, below is a table with values of the specific weight of lead, as well as such a parameter as the weight of lead depending on the units of calculation.

Properties of lead

At a temperature of about 0 °C, lead has the lowest thermal conductivity. Lead itself is a soft metal, easily processed, cut with a knife and scratched with a fingernail. The surface is usually covered with a protective oxide film. When cut, a shiny surface is formed, which tarnishes under the influence of air.

This material has increased resistance to corrosion, as well as excellent plasticity and flexibility. It is well suited for use in protecting electrical cables. Lead also absorbs X-rays very well, making it an ideal means of protection against their effects.

The melting point of this material is 327.46 °C, and the boiling point is 1749 °C. As the temperature rises, the density of this type of material decreases; in the normal state this parameter is equal to 11.3415 g/cm³ at 20 °C. Lead belongs to the group of heavy metals.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting low resistance to vibration and lack of resistance to the effects of decaying organic substances, concrete solutions and lime. However, this can be solved by adding various impurities such as copper, antimony, cadmium and others.

This element reacts well with alkalis and acids.

The application of lead is extensive. It is used in various types of construction and other work. The main areas include:

• Production of powerful explosive-mixture substances, where lead is used in the nitrate state
• Use of lead azide as a detonator for explosive substances
• Use of lead perchlorate in preparing a heavy-type liquid, as an oxidizer in explosive agents and as a cathode-type material in chemical current sources
• Use of lead bismuth in lithium batteries
• Lead telluride is used in the production of refrigerators
• Lead arsenite is used to control insects
• Lead borate is used as a coating for porcelain and glass
• Lead chloride is used for the production of ointments and paints
• Lead nitrate is widely used in match production
• Lead sulfate is used in the production of lithography, batteries and fabric stuffing technologies
• Lead sulfide is used for detecting lead ions and in the firing of clay dishes
• Use of lead as protection against gamma radiation

Many lead compounds are toxic, and some of the listed uses belong to industrial or historical technologies regulated by safety rules. For household work, removal of old coatings and melting lead, sanitary regulations and the material safety data sheet should be followed.