Lead Glass (IEC G-500)
ISO IEC 60672-3 G-500
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is a high lead-oxide silicate glass, on file as G-500, CRYSTAL-30 and RS-52, in which PbO raises refractive index, X-ray absorption and electrical resistivity.
Reference datasheet — Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the G-500 condition
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) tempers and conditions
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. G-500 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G-500Default Standard lead-alkali glass (~24–30 % PbO), annealed | Default electrical/lamp and sealing lead glass: high resistivity, low loss, CTE ~9 µm/m·K for Dumet/soft-glass seals. | 45 | 420 HV | 0.9 W/m·K | ||
Radiation shielding lead glass | Pick for X-ray/γ observation windows and hot-cell glazing where lead equivalence per unit thickness governs. | 330 HV | 0.7 W/m·K | |||
Lead crystal | Pick for decorative/optical crystal: highest brilliance and refractive index, easily cut and polished, but softer and lower service temperature. | 370 HV | — |
What is Lead Glass (IEC G-500)?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is a high lead-oxide silicate glass, on file as G-500, CRYSTAL-30 and RS-52, in which PbO raises refractive index, X-ray absorption and electrical resistivity. It is chosen for radiation shielding windows, pressed and blown crystal ware and electron-tube envelopes, and its long working range makes it easy to lampwork and to seal to Dumet and Ni-Fe leads. Density is 3.1 g/cm³, modulus 62 GPa, tensile strength about 45 MPa and maximum service temperature 350 °C; chemical durability is the lowest in this silicate group and the lead content restricts food-contact and RoHS use. Baria-alkali-silica G-600 is the lead-free option. Lead Glass (IEC G-500) has a density of 3.1 g/cm³ (0.112 lb/in³), heavier than 55% of glass grades. Lead Glass (IEC G-500) has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 56% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi).
What is Lead Glass (IEC G-500) used for?
- crystal glassware
- X-ray/radiation shielding windows
- CRT/electron tube glass
- electrical insulators
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of glass grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of glass grades
- Low stiffness — 62 GPa (8.99 Msi), worse than 76% of glass grades
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) properties
Typical room-temperature values for Lead Glass (IEC G-500)-G-500; bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical4
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) has a density of 3.1 g/cm³ (0.112 lb/in³), heavier than 55% of glass grades.
Mechanical12
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 56% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi).
Thermal5
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 9.1 µm/m·K (5.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁵ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), worse than 62% of glass grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Lead Glass (IEC G-500) takes about 18 MJ of energy and emits 1.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability2
Lead Glass (IEC G-500)'s machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 54% of glass grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the glass family
Yield strength against density for every glass grade FabDigit runs. Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Lead Glass (IEC G-500)
Is Lead Glass (IEC G-500) easy to machine?
Grind, core-drill and score with diamond tooling under flood coolant; anneal after heavy grinding and avoid edge chipping — no conventional cutting.
Can Lead Glass (IEC G-500) be welded?
Not weldable; joined by flame/lampworking or by glass-to-metal (Dumet, Ni-Fe) sealing thanks to the ~9 µm/m·K CTE match.
Can Lead Glass (IEC G-500) be formed, bent or molded?
Melts easily at 1300–1400 °C with a long working range; pressed, blown or tube-drawn at 900–1100 °C, then annealed near 420–450 °C.
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| PbO55–65 % in radiation-shielding variant | 20 – 35 | 26 |
| K2O | 4 – 12 | 8 |
| Na2O | 2 – 9 | 5 |
| Al2O3 | 0 – 2.5 | 0.8 |
| CaO | 0 – 1.5 | 0.3 |
| BaOsometimes substituted for part of PbO | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| As2O3/Sb2O3fining agents | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| CeO2browning inhibitor in shielding glass | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| SiO2typically 55–65 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on Lead Glass (IEC G-500)?
Fire polish or acid polish (HF/H2SO4) for crystal brilliance; mechanical cerium-oxide polishing gives optical windows; can be coated with anti-reflective or anti-scratch films.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Lead Glass (IEC G-500) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- IEC 60672-3 G-500
- Also called
- Lead Crystal Glass
How much does Lead Glass (IEC G-500) cost?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is a premium-cost glass ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) — frequently asked
What is Lead Glass (IEC G-500) used for?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is typically used for crystal glassware, X-ray/radiation shielding windows, CRT/electron tube glass and electrical insulators. In short: best radiation-shielding glass; highest refractive index here; long lampworking range.
What is the tensile strength of Lead Glass (IEC G-500)?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 56% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Lead Glass (IEC G-500) easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 54% of glass grades). Grind, core-drill and score with diamond tooling under flood coolant; anneal after heavy grinding and avoid edge chipping — no conventional cutting.
Can Lead Glass (IEC G-500) be welded?
Not weldable; joined by flame/lampworking or by glass-to-metal (Dumet, Ni-Fe) sealing thanks to the ~9 µm/m·K CTE match.
What surface finishes work on Lead Glass (IEC G-500)?
Fire polish or acid polish (HF/H2SO4) for crystal brilliance; mechanical cerium-oxide polishing gives optical windows; can be coated with anti-reflective or anti-scratch films.
Can Lead Glass (IEC G-500) be formed, bent or molded?
Melts easily at 1300–1400 °C with a long working range; pressed, blown or tube-drawn at 900–1100 °C, then annealed near 420–450 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Lead Glass (IEC G-500)?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Lead Glass (IEC G-500) cost?
Lead Glass (IEC G-500) is a premium-cost glass ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- IEC 60672-1/-3 Ceramic and glass insulating materials — Part 3: Specifications for individual materials — IEC (1997)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Radiation shielding glass RD 50 / lead glass properties — SCHOTT (2023)
- CDGM ZF-series high-lead optical glass data — CDGM (2023)
- ISO 719 / ISO 720 hydrolytic resistance of glass grains — ISO (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.