Lead tube

Chemical Composition

Lead tubes typically consist of high-purity lead (Pb) with commercial grades exceeding 99.97% purity, while pharmaceutical-grade tubes may reach 99.99% purity. Trace impurities are strictly controlled: antimony ≤0.005%, tin ≤0.002%, copper ≤0.001%, and zinc ≤0.001% (ASTM B29-18). For specialized corrosion-resistant applications, alloys may contain 0.5-2% antimony to enhance strength, with lead-tin alloys (1-5% Sn) used in low-temperature sealing applications. The chemical composition ensures compliance with ISO 6127:2017, where total impurities in lead tubes for industrial use are limited to 0.03%.​

Mechanical Properties

Lead tubes exhibit defined mechanical characteristics suitable for diverse applications. The tensile strength ranges from 14-18 MPa (ASTM E8), with a yield strength of 12-15 MPa and an elongation at break of 40-60% (ISO 6892). The Vickers hardness (HV) is 4-6, allowing easy forming with a maximum working pressure of 0.6 MPa for seamless lead tubes (BS EN 12666:2016). The melting point is 327.46°C, and thermal conductivity is 35.3 W/(m·K) at 20°C. With a density of 11.34 g/cm³, lead tubes have a hydrostatic burst pressure of 2.5-4 MPa for 10-20 mm diameter tubes (DIN 17861), critical for pressure-bearing applications.​​

Applications​

Lead tubes demonstrate data-backed utility across industries:​

• Radiation Shielding: Medical CT scanners use 2-5 mm thick lead tubes for cable shielding, blocking 95% of 120 kVp X-rays (NCRP Report 147). Nuclear laboratories employ 10-20 cm diameter lead tubes for radioactive material transport, achieving 99% gamma ray attenuation.​

• Corrosion-Resistant Piping: In chemical plants, lead tubes (ASTM B876) with 6-12 mm wall thickness resist 98% sulfuric acid at 60°C, with a service life exceeding 20 years. Pharmaceutical-grade lead tubes (USP 23) are used for distilled water transport, meeting heavy metal content limits (<10 ppm).​

• Electrical Insulation: Lead-sheathed cables (BS 6622) use 0.5-1 mm lead tubes, providing moisture protection with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm. Submarine cables employ 3-5 mm lead tubes, maintaining electrical integrity at depths up to 2,000 meters.​

• Architectural Applications: Decorative lead tubes (BS EN 12588) for stained glass windows have outer diameters of 3-8 mm, with a tensile strength sufficient to support 5-10 kg/m² glass loads, lasting over 100 years in outdoor environments.​

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