When it comes to creating a perfect seal, adding radiation protection, or distributing loads evenly in demanding environments, lead washers deliver unmatched performance. Known for their density, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, lead washers are indispensable in industries ranging from aerospace and medical to construction and electronics.
Nuclead specialize in the manufacture and supply of custom lead washers, fabricated to your exact dimensions, thicknesses, and performance requirements. Whether you need standard sizes or highly specialized lead components for a complex application, Nuclead is your trusted partner for quality, precision, and durability.
What is a Lead Washer?
A lead washer is a circular disc with a hole in the center, designed to act as a spacer, load distributor, or sealing element. Unlike steel or rubber washers, lead washers are uniquely suited to applications that require radiation shielding, sound insulation, shock absorption, or chemical resistance.
These washers can be installed between surfaces to prevent leaks, reduce vibration, or protect against environmental hazards. Due to lead's high density and resistance to degradation, it's often the material of choice for critical applications in nuclear, industrial, medical, and aerospace settings.
Key Properties of Lead Washers
Lead is a soft, malleable, and dense metal with several physical characteristics that make it ideal for demanding washer applications:
High Density (11.34 g/cm³): Excellent for adding mass or weighting where space is limited
Malleability: Forms tight seals even under uneven pressure or irregular surfaces
Corrosion Resistance: Suitable for marine and industrial environments
Radiation Shielding: Naturally blocks gamma and X-ray radiation
Thermal Resistance: Maintains integrity in high-temperature environments
Acoustic Damping: Absorbs vibration and noise
These features make lead washers essential in both protective and structural roles.
Custom Lead Washer Manufacturing by Nuclead
Nuclead manufactures lead washers in virtually any size, thickness, and quantity. Our in-house production team uses advanced CNC equipment and time-tested machining techniques to ensure precision and repeatability on every order.
Customization Options:
Inside Diameter (ID): Ranging from fractions of an inch to several inches
Outside Diameter (OD): Machined to fit standard bolts or custom housing
Thickness: From ultra-thin to heavy-duty for high-weight or shielding purposes
Tolerances: Tight tolerances based on your specifications
Shape: Round, square, rectangular, or irregular shapes available
Finish: Smooth or rough depending on application needs
We also offer plated or coated washers for enhanced performance in extreme environments.
Applications of Lead Washers
Thanks to their unique combination of mechanical and chemical properties, lead washers are used across a broad spectrum of industries and applications:
1. Radiation Shielding
Used extensively in medical imaging equipment, X-ray machinery, and nuclear energy systems, lead washers provide localized shielding where protection is required at connection points or hardware interfaces.
2. Sealing Applications
Lead’s softness allows washers to deform under pressure, forming a tight seal that prevents leaks. These are commonly used in pipelines, hydraulic systems, and pressure vessels, especially in chemically harsh or high-temperature environments.
3. Weight Balancing
Lead washers are ideal for counterbalancing and vibration damping in aerospace and automotive components, where space is limited but precision mass is critical.
4. Marine and Industrial Environments
Because lead resists corrosion and salt damage, washers are used in shipbuilding, oil rigs, and coastal infrastructure to ensure long-term performance without rust or failure.
5. Aerospace and Defense
Lead washers are incorporated into high-performance systems where shock absorption, EMI shielding, and load distribution are critical. They also serve as counterweights in satellites and aircraft.
6. Acoustic and Vibration Damping
In specialized equipment, lead washers help reduce sound and vibration transfer, improving longevity and performance of mechanical systems.
Lead Washer Grades and Alloys
We offer a wide range of lead grades and lead alloy options depending on your mechanical or regulatory requirements:
Pure Lead (99.9%): Ideal for shielding and sealing
Antimonial Lead: Increased hardness for structural applications
Lead-Silver Alloys: High-temperature and corrosion resistance
Lead-Tin Alloys: Better formability and wear resistance
Our team can help you choose the right material based on the specific environment, pressure load, or safety requirements of your application.
Why Choose Nuclead for Lead Washers?
Nuclead is a recognized leader in the custom machining and fabrication of lead products. We serve industries with the most demanding standards and offer reliable performance, rapid turnaround, and flexible ordering:
✅ In-House Manufacturing
All washers are manufactured at our facility in Massachusetts, enabling strict quality control and fast production timelines.
✅ No Minimum Order
Whether you need a single prototype washer or bulk quantities for mass production, we’re equipped to handle any volume.
✅ Rapid Prototyping
Need to test a new concept or design? We offer fast prototyping so you can iterate with confidence.
✅ Tight Tolerances
Our CNC and manual machining processes allow us to meet tight dimensional tolerances for mission-critical components.
✅ Technical Support
Our engineers will work with you to determine the right specifications, tolerances, and material grade for your lead washers.
✅ Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
Nuclead follows all EPA, OSHA, and RoHS guidelines for safe handling and environmentally responsible manufacturing of lead materials.
Packaging, Shipping & Delivery
All lead washers are carefully packaged to prevent damage in transit. We offer:
Individually packed units or bulk packaging
Domestic and international shipping
Expedited delivery options
Drop shipping for OEMs and contractors
We ship across North America and globally, serving clients in construction, medical technology, energy, defense, and aerospace.
Request a Quote for Custom Lead Washers
If you need custom lead washer for your next project, Nuclead offers the experience, equipment, and quality assurance to deliver exactly what you need—on time and to spec. From small-batch custom orders to high-volume production runs, we guarantee performance, precision, and professionalism in every washer we produce.
Contact our team today at (508) 501-8681 or submit your technical drawings and requirements through our online quote form. We’ll provide an accurate estimate, production timeline, and expert guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
