Litharge

Litharge is known as a natural mineral forms of PbO, lead(II) oxide. From the oxidation of galena ores, Litharge is formed which is a secondary mineral.

Litharge is formed with internal tetragonal crystal structure as encrustations and coating. With the orthorhombic from massicot, it is dimorphous. Litharge is red and soft. Moreover, it has crusts which appear greasy with a very high specific gravity of 9.14-9.35.

San Bernardino County , California described Litharge as a mineral in 1917 first time.

Litharge is used to a substance that is similar to it. For instance, when red lead is mixed with gold is called litharge of gold which gives it a red color. Separating silver from lead is also called Litharge. Oxidation of bismuth gives birth to litharge of bismuth.

Standards Conforms to IS 58-1976

Litharge Typical Specifications

ATTRIBUTE

COMPOSITION


Colour	Canary Yellow with Reddish tinge
Crystal Structure	Orthombic + Tetragonal
Specific Gravity	9.5 to 9.9
Thermal Stability	250 ° C to 897 ° C
Retention on 240 mesh Sieve/63 micron 15' Sieve (max %)	0.10
Apparent Density (scott) gms/cc	1.8 to 2.2
Subsidence in Petrol / Water mi/gm	0.40 to 0.42
Acid Absorption	80 to 110
Solubility in Water gms/litre	0.10
Oil Absorption	0.1
Insoluble matter in Acetic Acid (% Max)	0.08
Melting point (°C)	888
Volatile matter (% max)	0.20
Water insoluble in acetic acid (% max)	0.10
Water Absorption	100 - 105 mg/gm
Pb 3 O 4 (% max)	0.06
Free Lead (% Max)	0.01 to 0.05
PbO (% Min)	99.5

Lead Recycling