Lead
The battery sector is the single largest consumer of lead, accountingfor around three-quarters of the demand. It can be sub-divided intothe following groups:
SLI (Starting-Lighting-Ignition) batteries, which currently accountsfor around half of the total lead demand. These are mainly used incars and light vehicles, but are also found in other applications suchas golf carts and boats. SLI battery demand in turn can be split intooriginal equipment and replacement, with replacement demandoutstripping original equipment demand by about 4:1 in mature markets.
Industrial batteries, which currently consumes around a quarter of thetotal lead produced. This sector can be split roughly 50:50 intostationary and traction batteries. Stationary batteries areprincipally used in back up power supply systems; traction batteriesare used for motive power in equipment such as forklift trucks andmotorised wheelchairs.
The remainder is used in non-battery applications. The second largestcurrent end use of lead for non-batteryapplications, accounting foraround 8% of lead consumption, is the chemical industry, in the formof lead-based pigments and other compounds. Principal markets are forcathode ray tubes used in television screens and computer monitors,and for Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) stabilisers.
| Elements | Specification %Wt. |
|---|---|
| Aluminium (Al) | 0.001 |
| Antimony (Sb) | 0.001 |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.001 |
| Barium (Ba) | 0.001 |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.05 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.001 |
| Calcium (Ca) | 0.005 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.0002 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.0002 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.0015 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.002 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.00005 |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0.0001 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.0002 |
| Platinum (Pt) | 0.00001 |
| Selenium (Se) | 0.001 |
| Silver (Ag) | 0.01 |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.001 |
| Tellurium (Te) | 0.0002 |
| Tin (Sn) | 0.001 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.001 |
| Gold (Au) | 0.0001 |
| Thallium (Tl) | 0.01 |
| Lead (Pb) | Remainder |
Lead antimony alloy is largely used for grids production of lead-acidbattery. Antimony improves the castability and the subsequent handlingof the grid alloy. In addition , this alloy is extremely strong andcreep-resistant and can be cast into rigid , dimensionally stablegrids that are capable of resisting the stresses of charge/dischargereactions.
It is also used extensively as suitable electrode in electroplating &electrowining plants.
| Elements | Specification %Wt. |
|---|---|
| Antimony (Sb) | 2.55 +/- 0.15 |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.20 - 0.25 |
| Tin (Sn) | 0.30 - 0.35 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05 max |
| Selerium (Se) | 0.015 - 0.025 |
| Calcium | 0.002 |
| Nickel | 0.005 max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.002 max |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.030 max |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.001 maax |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.0006 max |
| Silver (Ag) | 0.004 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.005 max |
| Pb | Balance |
Primary applications of lead tin alloy include bearing assembly,ballast, casting, step soldering, and radiation shielding.Such alloys are used for cooking utensils and toys. Alloys of tin andlead are very lustrous, and are used for stage jewellery and mirrors .Tin Lead Alloys are commonly used for their good melting, & castingproperties, as in type metals and solders. If tin is added to lead orLead Alloys, it increases the hardness and strength. Lead tin solderis widely used, particularly by the electronics industry, also used inbearings and ornamental ware.
Tin Lead Alloys is used in plumbing and electronic applications. Tinprovides the alloy the ability to wet and bond with metals such assteel and copper.
| Elements | Specification %Wt. |
|---|---|
| Tin (Sn) | 1.00 - 1.20% |
| Antimony (Sb) | 0.005% max |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.001% max |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.002% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.001% max |
| Any other impurities shall not be more than 0.001% | |
Lead Calcium Alloys are used in storage battery grids and casting applications.
| Elements | Specification %Wt. |
|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca) | 0.08 - 010% |
| Sin (Sn) | 1.00 -1.20% |
| Aluminium (Al) | 0.01 - 0.03% |
| Antimony (Sb) | 0.005% max |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.001% max |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.002% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.001% max |
| Any other impurities shall not be more than 0.001% | |
Grey Oxide is used on an extensive scale for preparation of plates inLead Acid Batteries which requires production to strictspecifications. It is used as Electroplating Anodes and SulphuricAcid Tank Liners alongwith usage in paint & pigment industries.
| Description | Test Specification |
|---|---|
| Free Lead | 20 -40% |
| Antimony (Sb) | 0.001% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.002% max |
| Barium (Ba) | 0.001% max |
