Bleiplatten

Bleiplatten is the German term for lead plates, referring to flat slabs of lead or lead alloy used in a range of industrial applications. In German-language technical literature, the plural Bleiplatten denotes multiple such plates.

Common applications include radiation shielding in medical and nuclear facilities where lead plates absorb ionizing radiation; in the energy sector, they serve as components of lead-acid batteries, forming the active plates that store electrical energy; and historically they have been used as ballast weights or protective barriers in certain machinery.

Manufacture and construction: Lead plates are produced by rolling, extrusion, or casting of lead or lead alloys into flat, rectangular sheets. For battery use, the plates are mounted in grids and coated with active materials (positive plates with lead dioxide; negative plates with spongy lead) and immersed in sulfuric acid electrolyte.

Safety and regulation: Lead is toxic; handling requires proper personal protective equipment, dust control, and waste management. Disposal and environmental release must comply with applicable regulations to prevent lead exposure and contamination.

See also: Lead, Lead sheet, Radiation shielding, Lead-acid battery.