Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Chemical Lead Cast
Grade
UNS L51120 · ASTM B29
Cast = as cast
Use for electrowinning anodes, counterweights, radiation blocks and cast valve/fitting bodies where the coarse as-cast grain and lower ductility are acceptable.
Values for the Cast condition
Other Chemical Lead tempers and conditions
Chemical Lead is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Chemical Lead.
- Cast
- Extruded
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CastThis page As cast | Use for electrowinning anodes, counterweights, radiation blocks and cast valve/fitting bodies where the coarse as-cast grain and lower ductility are acceptable. | 5 | 13 | 25 | 4 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
pipe, tube and shapes | Choose for seamless chemical-drain pipe, cooling coils and cable sheathing where the extruded fine-grained structure gives the best creep and fatigue life. | 6 | 17 | 55 | 5 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
What is Chemical Lead Cast?
Chemical Lead Cast is Chemical Lead in the Cast grade — use for electrowinning anodes, counterweights, radiation blocks and cast valve/fitting bodies where the coarse as-cast grain and lower ductility are acceptable. Chemical Lead Cast has a yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) — weaker than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi). Chemical Lead Cast has a density of 11.34 g/cm³ (0.41 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 327°C (621 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Readily welded — 70/100, better than 96% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 11.34 g/cm³ (0.41 lb/in³), worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low strength — 5 MPa (0.725 ksi), worse than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 14 GPa (2.03 Msi), worse than 93% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited formability — 50/100, worse than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 25%, worse than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Chemical Lead Cast properties
Typical room-temperature values for Chemical Lead Cast; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Chemical Lead reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Chemical Lead Cast has a density of 11.34 g/cm³ (0.41 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 327°C (621 °F).
Mechanical11
Chemical Lead Cast has a yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) — weaker than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi).
Thermal6
Chemical Lead Cast is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 34.5 W/m·K (19.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 29 µm/m·K (16.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Chemical Lead Cast conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Chemical Lead Cast takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
Chemical Lead Cast's machinability is good (55/100, better than 74% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Chemical Lead Cast
Is Chemical Lead easy to machine?
Cuts with almost no force but smears badly — use very sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and paraffin/soluble-oil lubrication; capture chips and dust for lead hygiene control.
Can Chemical Lead be welded?
Joined by lead burning (oxy-hydrogen/oxy-acetylene or TIG) with matching chemical-lead filler and no flux; requires forced ventilation and fume extraction.
Can Chemical Lead be formed, bent or molded?
Extremely formable cold — bossing, hammering, spinning and deep bending are routine, and the metal self-anneals at room temperature so intermediate annealing is never needed.
What surface finishes work on Chemical Lead?
No anodizing or plating in normal practice; surfaces are left to form a protective sulfate/oxide patina, or are wiped/soldered and homogeneously bonded to steel for tank linings.
Chemical Lead 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cudeliberate addition for H2SO4 corrosion and creep resistance | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Ag | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Bi | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| As+Sb+Sntotal | ≤ 0 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0 | — |
| PbASTM B29 chemical lead, UNS L51120 | ≥ 99.9 (balance) | — |
Chemical Lead Cast — frequently asked
What is Chemical Lead Cast used for?
Chemical Lead Cast is typically used for sulfuric-acid tank linings, chemical process piping and cable sheathing. In short: copper-bearing acid lead; best sulfuric-acid resistance; very high cold formability.
What is the yield strength of Chemical Lead Cast?
Chemical Lead Cast has a typical yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) — weaker than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Chemical Lead Cast easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 74% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts with almost no force but smears badly — use very sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light feeds and paraffin/soluble-oil lubrication; capture chips and dust for lead hygiene control.
Can Chemical Lead Cast be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joined by lead burning (oxy-hydrogen/oxy-acetylene or TIG) with matching chemical-lead filler and no flux; requires forced ventilation and fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on Chemical Lead Cast?
No anodizing or plating in normal practice; surfaces are left to form a protective sulfate/oxide patina, or are wiped/soldered and homogeneously bonded to steel for tank linings.
Can Chemical Lead Cast be formed, bent or molded?
Extremely formable cold — bossing, hammering, spinning and deep bending are routine, and the metal self-anneals at room temperature so intermediate annealing is never needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of Chemical Lead Cast?
Chemical Lead Cast is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM B29 — Standard Specification for Refined Lead — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Lead and Lead Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Corrosion of Lead and Lead Alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 469 (2005)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics — physical constants of lead — CRC Press (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.