Lead Weight

Lead Weight used for Ballast

Lead because of its high density, softness and relatively low cost is often used to provide weight to counter buoyancy in water bourn applications. Examples of this include ship ballast such as sail vessel keels and general hold ballast and lead weight belts for divers.

Lead Weight Ballast

Lead ballast in the hold of ships provides an easy to use method of adding stability to the vessel. Typically it is provided in the form of lead bricks or lead shot, though in some cases the lead weight is a fixed lead casting. attached internally or externally to the ship.

Lead Weight in Sailing Boat Keels

In sailing ships the keel provides both stability and to generate a counter force to balance the wind on the sails. Lead weight in the keel, significantly lowers the center of gravity and thus prevents to boat from tipping over. The lead weight also helps the boat to move forward rather that slipping to the side thus converting the sideways motion of the wind into forward motion. When moving forward the keel also generates lift to counter the tipping moment caused by the wind on the sails.

Lead Weight diving belts

These are a very common diving system that is used to counteract the body’s natural buoyancy. The weight belts are usually made of nylon or rubber and usually have a quick release buckle to allow for rapid ascent. The lead weight is most of often in the form of a rectangular lead blocks with two slots that allow the lead diving weight to be threaded onto the belt. In some weight belts the lead weight is carried in pouches and consists of small lead weights or lead shot.

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