Lead (Pb) - Granule & Lump - Material Information

Lead (chemical symbol Pb, from Latin plumbum) is a soft, dense, and corrosion-resistant post-transition metal. Its exceptional malleability, low melting point (327.5 °C), and high density (11.34 g/cm³) make it ideal for radiation shielding, chemical containment, and soundproofing. Lead was one of the first metals to be smelted by humans and remains an important industrial material despite restrictions due to its toxicity.

Material Overview

In its pure form, lead is bluish-gray and easily deformable, forming a dull oxide layer when exposed to air. It exhibits poor electrical and thermal conductivity compared to other metals but is chemically inert to water and many acids. According to Boldyrev (2018), its amphoteric nature allows it to react with both acids and bases, forming diverse compounds like lead oxides and lead salts. Historically, lead was widely used in plumbing, paints, and fuels, but modern usage has shifted toward specialized applications in batteries, shielding, and electronics due to awareness of its neurotoxicity, particularly in children.

Lead’s remarkable attenuation properties make it indispensable for radiation protection. Duan et al. (2010) demonstrated that boron-doped lead alloys (Pb–B) enhance tensile strength and achieve up to 92.7% neutron shielding at 20 mm thickness, balancing mechanical durability with radiation protection. More recently, Saad et al. (2023) showed that Pb-based composites doped with CuO nanoparticles achieve superior microhardness and gamma attenuation compared to pure lead, while lead-free alternatives (e.g., Sn–Bi–CuO) can match shielding performance with improved environmental safety. Naeem et al. (2023) further revealed that nano-lead inclusions in silicone–polyurethane matrices improve tensile strength and gamma attenuation efficiency, supporting polymer–metal hybrid shielding technologies.

Applications and Advantages

Lead’s applications span radiation shielding for medical, nuclear, and aerospace environments; sound dampening; and as a constituent in solders and alloys. In addition to pure lead granules and lumps, Pb-based composites and leaded brasses are being engineered for optimized mechanical strength and attenuation. ?akar et al. (2019) confirmed that leaded brasses (CuZnPb) outperform concrete in gamma and neutron shielding while retaining excellent machinability, suggesting sustainable alternatives for high-radiation environments.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies high-purity lead (Pb) in granule and lump forms for laboratory and shielding applications. Custom specifications can be provided for radiation protection research or industrial use. Explore available forms and alloys through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Boldyrev, M. (2018). Lead: Properties, history, and applications. WikiJournal of Science, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.15347/WJS/2018.007
• Duan, Y., Sun, Y., Peng, M. J., & Guo, Z. Z. (2010). Mechanical and shielding properties of an as-cast new Pb–B shielding composite material. Advanced Materials Research, 150–151, 56–60. https://doi.org/10.4028/WWW.SCIENTIFIC.NET/AMR.150-151.56
• Saad, M., Almohiy, H. M., Alshihri, A. A., Alqahtani, M., & Shalaby, R. M. (2023). Structural, mechanical, and radiation shielding properties of lead and lead-free alloys doped with CuO nanoparticles. Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids. https://doi.org/10.1080/10420150.2023.2207123
• Naeem, M. H., Al-Nesrawy, S. H., & Al-Maamori, M. H. (2023). Influence of lead nanoparticles on structural, morphological, and mechanical characteristics of (SiR–PU/Micro–Pb) composites and radiation shielding applications. East European Journal of Physics, 3, 63. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-3-63
• ?akar, E., Büyükylld?z, M., Al?m, B., ?akar, B. C., & Kurudirek, M. (2019). Leaded brass alloys for gamma-ray shielding applications. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 162, 145–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.02.042