Lead remains an important metal in industrial processes.Despite the elimination of lead from many consumer applications in recent years, due to health and environmental concerns lead is still an important Metal spinning factory metal with many uses in several industries. Lead Pipes are used to transfer corrosive materials, lead powder is used as a lubricant and in the semiconductor industry and lead alloys have a wide variety of applications. This article will provide information on the uses of lead in industrial manufacture as well as information about Nuclead Inc. a manufacturer of lead products and related services. Lead Pipes in Industry For many centuries lead pipes were used to supply water to households, most famously during the Roman Empire. In fact the term plumber derives from the Latin word for lead. More recently though, due to health problems associated with lead, lead pipes have been banned for use in the home, except for some vent and drainage systems. Lead pipes are still used in industry today because of the properties of lead that include malleability, flexibility and resistance to corrosion. Typical applications include chemical plants, paper manufacturing plants and Hydro and plating applications. Lead Pipe for these applications is made from either chemical Pure lead or up to 6% Lead Antimony Alloy. Lead pipes are used in pulp and paper industry in cooling systems which use sulfur dioxide gases and in transporting the bleaching stock which uses hydrogen peroxide or zinc hydrosulphite and for draining the discharge from the pulp digesters Other applications for Lead Pipes are for Soil Waste, Ventilating, and telephone and telegraph underground piping, pressure tubes (copper lead) and cable sheathing. Lead Powder in Industry Lead powder either as pure lead, lead oxide or litharge lead (Litharge is one of the natural mineral forms of lead oxide) find multiple applications in many industries including: Oil and gas exploration, Radiological Medical protective clothing, Industrial X-ray shielding, Golf club manufacturing and anti-friction products. Powered lead, powdered Babbit (see below) and lead oxide have been used in lubricating grease, to reduce or eliminate wear. Lead powder is also used as the basis for some corrosion resistant paints. Lead oxides are used in producing fine "crystal glass" and "flint glass" of a high index of refraction for achromatic lenses. Lead Powder is still used in the electronics industry even though one major use of lead for solder has been all but eliminated due to environmental concerns. For example, high density, polycrystalline photoconductors can be made by hot-pressing powdered lead monoxide.
