Lead bricks are a common construction material. They can provide radiation shielding either permanently or temporarily. They are also available in other forms, including as a lead brick weight or even a counterweight.
Sizes and Styles
Lead brick weights come in diverse sizes and styles. Lead bricks alone are available in standard and customized sizes and shapes. In general, they are usually sold in two major styles:
- Standard or plain
- Interlocking
The latter may be tongued and grooved at all four edges to improve their ability to act as a radiation shield. All have smooth surfaces which are essential for making decontamination unproblematic. Like all lead and lead alloys, such bricks are hardier and resistant to damage from various sources. Their very weight is reassuring when it comes to other applications.
Lead Brick Weight: Description and Applications
The characteristics of lead results in their use in various applications including ballast and counterweights. As weights, lead bricks help to act as the ideal ballast, redistributing weight as necessary. Lead ballast bricks are available from manufacturers and distributors in various sizes, shapes, and grades. Companies can also request customized versions to suit specific requirements.
Lead brick weights most frequently act as ballast. Those who request its use include:
- Construction companies
- Elevator companies
- Shipbuilders
- Vehicles, e.g. racing cars
By far the most common application for lead brick ballast or weights is in the marine industry. The lead bricks may be employed externally (built directly into) or internally (positioned in the optimal position. For example, in a sailing ship, it might sit inside the ship riding close to the water line; externally, on large modern sailing vessels, it can be built into the keel.
Lead Brick Weight
Lead bricks fulfill a number of purposes in diverse industries. A lead brick weight is one example of such utility. It is very popular in the marine industry as ballast.
