Lead ingots are cast solid blocks of refined lead produced as primary or secondary lead and supplied as standardized raw material for downstream manufacturing. They are the most common commercial form of lead.
Ingots serve as the base feedstock for batteries, pipes, sheets, radiation shielding, lead alloys, and chemical processing applications.
Typical Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | 99.90 – 99.99 |
| Silver (Ag) | ≤ 0.005 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.002 |
| Bismuth (Bi) | ≤ 0.002 |
| Antimony (Sb) | ≤ 0.001 |
| Tin (Sn) | Trace |
Key Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 12 – 18 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 5 – 10 MPa |
| Elongation | 35 – 60% |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 4 – 6 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | ~16 GPa |
| Fatigue Resistance | Very low |
| Creep Resistance | Low |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 11.34 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 327.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 1749 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~35 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~4.8 MS/m |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent |
| Radiation Attenuation | Excellent |
| Acoustic Damping | Excellent |
Metallurgical & Strengthening Behavior
| Mechanism | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Solid Solution Alloying | Moderate |
| Cold Working | Minimal |
| Grain Size Control | Limited |
| Heat Treatment | Not applicable |
| Precipitation Hardening | Not possible |
Strength and hardness in lead ingots are achieved only through alloying, not heat treatment.
Key Characteristics
✔ High purity and compositional consistency
✔ Excellent melt fluidity
✔ Low melting temperature
✔ Nearly 100% recyclable
✔ Excellent corrosion resistance
✔ Ideal alloying base
❌ Very soft in pure form
❌ Toxic – regulated handling
❌ Not load-bearing
Refining & Processing Properties
Primary Lead Ingots:
Ore smelting → refining → ingot casting
Secondary Lead Ingots:
Battery recycling → smelting → refining → alloy correction → casting
Typical ingot casting process:
Lead melting (350–450 °C)
Fluxing & dross removal
Alloy composition adjustment
Gravity casting into molds
Cooling & stamping
Quality inspection
Fabrication & Workability
| Process | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Casting | Excellent |
| Rolling | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Sheet Forming | Excellent |
| Machining | Poor (smearing) |
| Welding | Poor |
| Soldering | Excellent |
Available Commercial Forms
Standard trapezoidal ingots
Rectangular ingots
Pig lead
Notched ingots
Custom-weight ingots
Common weights: 20 kg, 25 kg, 40 kg
Standards: LME, ASTM, EN
Applications of Lead Ingots
Battery Manufacturing
Battery grids, pastes, and alloys (≈80–85% of global consumption)
Radiation Shielding
X-ray rooms, nuclear facilities, industrial radiography
Chemical & Process Industry
Acid-resistant linings, electrodes, anodes
Construction & Infrastructure
Roofing sheets, soundproofing, counterweights
Alloy Production
Pb–Sb alloys, Pb–Sn solders, linotype
Advantages
✔ Universal lead feedstock
✔ Consistent quality & impurity control
✔ Energy-efficient processing
✔ Exceptional recyclability
Health, Safety & Regulations
⚠ Lead is toxic and requires PPE, controlled storage, and compliant waste handling.
Regulated under REACH, OSHA, EPA, and the Basel Convention.
Why Choose Lead Ingots?
Choose lead ingots when reliable feedstock, controlled alloying, battery or radiation applications, corrosion resistance, and sustainability are critical.
Lead ingots form the foundation of the lead industry, offering consistent quality, easy processing, and cost-effective performance across a wide range of industrial applications.