What happens to lead then you overhead it beyond its melting point

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of overheating lead beyond its melting point, exploring the physical and chemical changes that occur, including the formation of different substances and the implications of heating lead in various contexts. Participants also touch on related topics such as the behavior of aluminum and the properties of materials at high temperatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants state that overheating lead beyond its melting point results in molten lead, and further heating leads to lead vapor.
  • One participant describes a phenomenon where lead appears to bubble and change color when heated, likening it to mercury and noting a transition to a brittle state.
  • A question is raised about whether molten lead has a molecular formula beyond its elemental representation as Pb.
  • Another participant argues that the chemical formula for lead remains the same in all states, while another suggests that lead may form a dioxide or other compounds when overheated.
  • Concerns are expressed about the potential formation of antimony from lead sources like wheel weights or batteries, which could lead to health risks.
  • Participants discuss the formation of dross when lead is melted, which may contain oxides and impurities, and the implications of these materials on the properties of the melt.
  • One participant shares personal experience with aluminum, noting that they did not observe unusual materials forming when heated past its melting point.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of reacting with the crucible or atmosphere, suggesting that impurities could affect the outcome of the heating process.
  • There are discussions about the appearance and properties of residues left after heating, with some speculating on the nature of these materials.
  • One participant raises a question about the behavior of a cola can when heated to high temperatures, noting the formation of a black residue that exhibits magnetic properties.
  • Another participant speculates on the potential uses of the carbon residue formed from the can liner after heating.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the effects of overheating lead, with no consensus on the nature of the substances formed or the implications of these changes. There are competing explanations regarding the chemical behavior of lead and its alloys, as well as the effects of impurities and heating conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the variability in results based on factors such as the purity of lead, the presence of alloys, and the specific heating methods used. There is uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the materials formed during the heating process and the potential reactions with other substances.

  • #31
chemisttree said:
If you got your "lead" from wheel weights or lead acid batteries, the hard brittle stuff left over when you distill out the lead is antimony. Antimony is hard, silver to gray and brittle. It will cause contact dermatitis, conjunctivitus (pink eye), nasal ulceration. Bad JU JU! Keep it away from any of your hydrogen experiments since it will form extremely toxic, volatile hydrides.

Find the Merck Index at your local College library and make friends with it.

Just a note... I hope that when you are doing this kind of stuff you aren't inhaling or you are using a good hood. A garage with a few open doors really won't cut it.

Berkeman,

This sounds like a warning to me! The can soot stuff is probably better on its own thread though.
 
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  • #32
Just to add in, my burned up lead does not, have a silvery color, it’s more like gray. its just brittle, but not so hard and, the volume of the lead also stay the same and that's it!
I totally agree with you chemisttree, this tread can we gladly locked, for what I feel!
 

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