What Does
Lead Mean?
Lead (Pb) is an element on the periodic table with atomic number 82. Lead is soft and dense, whitish to light gray in color and has excellent corrosion resistance and malleability.
Corrosionpedia Explains Lead
The symbol Pb is derived from the Latin word for lead, which is "plumbum."
Lead is one of the earliest known metals to be used widely. Ancient civilizations used it for tools and water pipes. Since lead is excellent at blocking gamma rays and X-rays, it is often used for personal protection in radioactive environments. Lead is also used for soldering, although because of its toxicity other metals are often preferred over lead.
Lead has superior corrosion resistance, and it is especially able to resist corrosion due to certain chemicals such as sulfuric acid.
Exposure to high levels of lead through ingestion or other means can be toxic.