Lead - Essay Example

For instance, building construction, lead-acid batteries, and fusible alloys are some of the major examples of lead applications in different parts of the globe. (Cheremisinoff, pp. 19-20) Moreover, ceramic glazes are applied with lead that plays the role of a coloring element. In addition, x-ray rooms employ the shields made of lead element that facilitate avoidance from the radiation of rays. Furthermore, molten lead is also in lead cooled fast reactors in which, it is used as a coolant. It is observed that bullets, shots, and other firearms also utilize the lead element in different forms.

In other words, lead plays a vital role in a number of applications in various parts of the globe. In all the stable elements, the highest atomic number is of lead, which makes it the most stable elements on the table. Researches have indicated that soft tissues and bones accumulate the lead element in the form of a potent neurotoxin after couple of years, which is one of the characteristics of lead similar to mercury. (Watt, pp. 47-48) It is observed that poor electrical conductivity is shown by the lead element, and therefore, lead element is not preferred in the electrical applications.

One of the significant characteristics of lead element is its high resistance again the corrosion, which makes it preferable for its utilization in the production of containers for corrosive liquids such as sulphuric acid. As earlier mentioned in the paper, building construction utilizes the lead element at a very high extent, because of its high resistance against corrosion and soft and supple material. One of the examples of lead application in the building construction industry is the roofing joints that are covered externally by the lead element.

Lead is not used in the places that require strength due to its soft material. However, it is observed that a