Lead �Pb

Atomic number 82
Density, 20° C (68° F) 11.3 g/cm3
Atomic weight 207.21
Crystal Structure FCC
Melting point 327.3° C (621.1° F)
Boiling point 1740° C (3164° F)
GENERAL
Lead is only slightly soluble in liquid or solid steel and, when added, some will be
present as a dispersion of discrete but preferably submicroscopic metallic lead
inclusions. Its sole function is to improve machinability, which it does without
serious degradation to mechanical properties.
AVAILABLE FORMS
Elemental lead is supplied as cored wire (lead micro-shot), pellets and fine shot
suitable for addition in the tundish, LMF, degasser or trumpet of bottom poured
molds. Master alloys containing bismuth are also available. Additions are
carefully controlled to insure an even dispersion of lead in the solidifying steel.
Segregation can be a problem. This can lead to cold working and machining
difficulties, therefore products are normally checked for segregation. The slice is
"sweated" at 700 C (1290 F) and examined for uniform lead distribution. Although
lead's boiling point is above normal tap temperatures, the metal does have a high
vapor pressure and addition will be accompanied by considerable fuming. These
vapors are toxic and must be vented to keep atmospheric concentrations below
the permissible TLV-TWA limit of 50μg/m3 of air. Residual blood lead levels of
workers should be checked periodically to keep them within the OSHA
recommended maximum value of 40μg/100 g.
ROLLING/FORGING
When present in concentrations sufficient to produce the desired free-machining
properties (0.15- 0.35%), lead has no detrimental effect on hot working. Larger
amounts can cause hot shortness but this problem can be readily detected
beforehand by the sweat test outlined above.
HEAT TREATMENT
Lead has no intrinsic influence on heat treatment reactions. Leaded steels form a
slightly more adherent scale, the insulating quality of which can reduce cooling
rates during quenching. Thus, leaded steels require a somewhat more severe
quench for equivalent depth of hardening. This may be the reason why leaded
steels are reported to be more susceptible to quench cracking.
APPLICATIONS
Lead is only added to steels for improving machinability. Any steel may be
leaded, and leaded free-machining versions of many carbon and alloy steels are
widely available. The letter "L" in their AISI/SAE designations, e.g., 10LXX,
denotes such steels. A number of proprietary freecutting leaded steels are also
marketed under company trade names. Usually, lead content is held to about
0.2%, but it may be augmented by the addition of other free-machining agents
(see Bismuth). Leaded steels are more costly to produce than free-machining
grades containing added phosphorus or sulfur. However, their price is justified by
their much improved machinability and the fact that they do not suffer from the
embrittlement these other elements invariably cause. Lead does cause some
changes in mechanical properties, but they are slight and usually considered
tolerable; transverse ductility can be reduced in annealed steels; high
temperature (345-425 C, 650-800 F) impact strength is impaired, and fatigue life
suffers as the tensile strength of the steel increases. Current efforts may supplant
lead's use (see tin).