Lead (Pb)
Lead is characterised by malleability, resistance from corrosion and high density. Its main application is in the automotive industry as electrodes in the lead-acid batteries.
Nickel is one of the five ferromagnetic elements, and is often accompanied by Cobalt. Important for the properties it gives to the metal alloys it belongs to, it’s used to manufacture austenitic or superalloy stainless steel. It is also used for the manufacture of rechargeable batteries, catalysts and other chemical products, minting, foundry products and plating.
Work Lead must be further refined electrolytically or thermally. In the first case, Lead is melted into anodes, and electrolysis is carried out towards electrolytic Lead cathodes of the same surface, using fluosilicic acid as the electrolyte. Electrolytic Lead can reach a purity of 99.99%. In the second case, the metals making up the impurities are extracted by means of successive fusions of the work Lead, first removing the Copper in the form of Oxide from the surface, then the Bismuth and the Silver.