Lead Oxide
PbO | Pb₃O₄ | PbO + Pb (leady oxide)
Product Overview
Lead Oxide is commercially available in three distinct chemical forms — Litharge (PbO), Red Lead (Pb₃O₄), and Grey/Black Lead Oxide — each with different stoichiometry, oxidation states, and application profiles across battery manufacturing, glass, ceramics, and pigment industries. All three forms are produced by controlled oxidation of metallic lead at different temperatures and conditions. MITCHEM supplies all three forms with full hazardous goods and RoHS documentation to industrial users operating within regulatory lead handling frameworks.
Litharge (Lead Monoxide)
PbOTechnical Specifications
| Formula | PbO |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 1317-36-8 |
| Molecular Weight | 223.2 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellow to orange-red powder; density 9.53 g/cm³ |
| Available Grades | 99% / 99.5% Technical |
Applications
The primary active material precursor in lead-acid battery plates; Litharge is mixed with sulphuric acid to produce the lead sulphate paste coated onto battery grids.
Lead monoxide is a glass flux and modifier that increases refractive index and density in optical glasses, lead crystal glassware, and radiation shielding glass.
Applied in lead-containing ceramic frits and glazes (where permitted) to lower melting temperature, improve surface quality, and produce high-gloss finishes.
Used as a heat and light stabiliser in PVC compounds for wire and cable insulation, providing long-term thermal stability during processing and service life.
Red Lead (Minium)
Pb₃O₄Technical Specifications
| Formula | Pb₃O₄ |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 1314-41-6 |
| Molecular Weight | 685.6 g/mol |
| Appearance | Bright red to orange-red powder; density 8.9 g/cm³ |
| Available Grades | 97%+ Pb₃O₄ / Technical |
Applications
Historically the standard anti-corrosion primer for structural steel (bridges, ships); forms a passivating interface with iron to inhibit under-film corrosion — being phased out in many markets due to lead regulations.
Used in positive plate paste formulations in some lead-acid battery designs, providing a specific oxidation state mixture for battery cycling performance.
Used as a glass fluxing agent and opacifier in specialty glass formulations where its mixed oxidation state contributes specific optical and physical properties.
Applied as a red-orange ceramic pigment and frit component in high-temperature ceramic and enamel applications.
Grey Lead Oxide (Battery Grade)
PbO + Pb (leady oxide)Technical Specifications
| Formula | PbO + Pb (leady oxide) |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 1317-36-8 |
| Molecular Weight | ~223 g/mol |
| Appearance | Dark grey powder; mixture of PbO (~70–85%) and metallic Pb (~15–30%) |
| Available Grades | Battery Grade 72–80% PbO / Technical |
Applications
Grey (leady) oxide is the standard active material precursor in lead-acid battery plate production — its metallic lead content provides nucleation sites during curing, improving plate porosity and cycling performance.
Mixed with sulphuric acid and expanders (BaSO₄, lignin) to produce the positive and negative plate paste for flooded and VRLA battery types.
Specifically produced to battery manufacturers' specifications for reactive surface area, particle size distribution, and PbO content to optimise plate formation yield and battery life.
Used in automotive SLI (Starting, Lighting, Ignition) batteries and stationary UPS, telecoms, and renewable energy storage lead-acid battery systems.
Packaging Options
Need a CoA, MSDS/SDS, or sample? Email info@mitchemindustries.com — full documentation available for all grades.