PB is the symbol for the chemical element lead and is derived from the Latin word "plumbum". Lead is a chemical element located in group a of the sixth period of the periodic table with an atomic number of 82 and an atomic weight of about 2072. It is the heaviest stable non-radioactive element. Lead is a soft heavy metal with a blue-gray luster, which is solid at room temperature and has good ductility and plasticity.
Lead is mainly found in nature in the form of sulfide and sulfate minerals, such as galena (PBS) and leucite (PBCo3·PB(OH)2). By smelting these ores, pure lead can be extracted. Lead is widely used in several fields due to its high density, softness, and ease of processing
1.Construction & Engineering: Historically, lead was used to make water pipes and roofing materials, but it has now been phased out due to its health hazards.
2.Battery manufacturing: Lead-acid batteries are one of the most common types of batteries in automobiles, electric vehicles, and backup power systems, where lead and its compounds are used as electrode materials.
3.Radiation protection: Lead is widely used as a radiation shielding material in medical devices and nuclear facilities due to its excellent X-ray and gamma ray absorption.
4.Chemical industry: lead compounds such as tetraethyl lead have been used as gasoline additives to improve fuel anti-knock performance; In addition, lead compounds are also used in pigments, glass manufacturing, and other industrial processes.
5.Military applications: lead alloys can be used in the manufacture of warheads, providing the necessary weight and penetration.
6.Jewellery & Art: Lead is also used in some crafts, both ancient and modern, although in modern times this use has been limited for environmental and safety reasons.
However, due to the serious health hazards of lead, especially on children's nervous system development, strict control and substitution measures are gradually being implemented for the use of lead worldwide. Lead poisoning is mainly caused by inhalation of lead-containing dust or ingestion of lead-containing items, so it is important to reduce environmental exposure to lead.
Chemical elements