Lead has long been valued for its density and weight. This makes it an ideal option for any type of counterweight. It is also an ideal choice for ballast as it can add a lot of weight to any area of an object and take up much less space than other types of materials.
Making a choice to use a lead brick weight as a counterweight or a ballast is just the first decision. It will also be important to choose the type of lead brick, including the option to consider a custom-cast option. These custom-cast, as well as standard lead brick weight designs, can be simple and square to more complex shapes to fit into very specific parts and components.
Bridges
A lead brick weight is a very good choice as a counterweight for a bridge. Often weighing thousands of pounds per brick, it is possible to use several bricks as necessary for the desired counterweight.
Powder coating or painting the bricks will be essential for outdoor or indoor use. This prevents the risk of lead dust occurring in the area and also protects people from touching the lead and transferring to their mouth by their fingers.
Painting or powder coating also prevents any possibility of runoff containing small amounts of lead while also keep the brick weight free from any corrosion if the lead reacts with chemicals and pollutants in the water.
Cranes and Elevators
Similar to bridge counterweights, lead bricks can also be used on cranes and elevators to act as the counterbalance. In these applications, the heavy, dense nature of the lead brick allows the counterweight to fit into a small area. On cranes and other types of equipment, this is particularly important with custom-cast counterweights designed for the specific model and location of the weight in relation to the design of the equipment.
