Lead, a soft, low melting point metal that has excellent corrosion resistance and ductility, is normally alloyed with other metals to improve its mechanical properties. The principal metals alloyed with lead are antimony, arsenic, calcium, copper, tin, tellurium, and silver. Minor alloying elements are cadmium, bismuth, selenium, indium, aluminum, and strontium.
Lead alloys are generally melted and cast into molds to produce useful shapes. The alloys are also rolled, extruded, and forged. The primary use for lead alloys is in the production of battery parts for lead-acid batteries.