Classification

Lead-based alloys are classified into high-alloyed and low-alloyed. The latter group includes alloys that contain small amounts of Cu, Fe, Sb, Cd, Ca or Sn additions, in concentrations that do not reduce, and sometimes increase, corrosion resistance and significantly increase long-term strength and creep strength. The high-alloy group consists of alloys that contain a large number of elements that increase hardness, anti-friction properties, strength, decrease the melting point of lead, and also decrease its shrinkage during casting.

Corrosion resistance

Lead itself and many of its alloys, and excluding those containing more than 0.1% Mg, Ca, K, Na, or Li, are highly corrosion resistant in water, air, and most inorganic dilute acids at low and room temperatures. Lead alloys are resistant to concentrated acetic, chloroacetic and citric acids. Resistance of lead alloys in organic acids decreases in the presence of oxygen. Chlorine (at temperatures up to 100°C), sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide have negligible effect on lead alloys.

Alloying

Low-alloyed lead alloys are resistant to moisture, which contains salts of carbonic, sulphuric and silicic acids.
Of all the elements used to alloy lead, only Te and Ca influence the work-hardening properties of plastic deformation. Lead alloyed with other elements, due to its low recrystallization temperature, can unstrengthen when it is pressed, rolled, drawn and other machining processes carried out at room temperature. The long-term strength, creep strength, sulphuric acid resistance and recrystallization temperature of tellurium additives strongly increase the strength, creep limit, resistance to sulphuric acid and the recrystallization temperature. When introduced with 0.05% Te, lead loss in sulfuric acid is reduced by a factor of ten.

Applications

Lead alloys with Cu (0,04-0,08%), Te (0,03-0,06%) and Sb (0,5-2,0%) are used in the manufacture of pipes, sheets and other semi-finished products, designed to liner baths, pipelines and similar acid-proof equipment. Alloys alloyed with Ca (0.03-0.07%), Te (0.04-0.06%), Sb (0.4-0.8%), Sn (1.0-2.0%) are used for power and low-voltage cable casings. Light-melting double, triple lead alloys feature the most complex eutectic composition with Sn, In, Bi, Cd, Hg and Sb. For corrosion protection of iron alloys and before casting the bearing liners, special semis, which are lead alloys alloyed with 0.5 - 1% Sn or Zn, are used.

Buy, price

Company Evek GmbH sells non-ferrous metals at the best price. It is formed taking into account London Non-Ferrous Exchange rates and depends on the technological peculiarities of production without additional costs. We supply a wide range of semi-finished lead products. With us you can buy in bulk the most diverse products for large-scale productions. High quality products, comprehensive advice of managers, reasonable prices and timely delivery determine the face of our company. Find us easily on the Internet at evek.org. A discount system has been introduced for wholesale purchases.