​General Smelting of Canada is a leader in the production and supply of anodes used in zinc, copper, cobalt and nickel refining. Our electrowinning anodes integrate years of experience, research and development. 

General Smelting produces anodes combining a laminated (rolled) lead alloy sheet, a unique header bar casting technique and enhanced copper to lead bonding interface resulting in anodes offering a longer lifespan and superior performance. Here are some of highlights relating to our anode production:

Process Efficiency

• Automated (CNC) cutting precision
• Workforce highly skilled through training / Kaizen activities
• Production conditions optimized and controlled using a Six Sigma approach
• On-time delivery
• Specialized handling equipment

Integrated Service

• 100% in-house production
• Internally controlled workmanship for alloying, head bar tinning and casting, welding, lamination, cutting, packaging

Unique head bar welding technique

Anode straightness

• Handling equipment and packaging designed to prevent anode warping

Surface finish

• General Smelting offers a surface treatment option to enhance anode performance

Quality control

• Dedicated equipment to eliminate risk of impurities
• In-house sampling and analysis
• Metallographic testing

General Smelting of Canada has Canada's largest and most experienced lead construction (lead burning) department. We can tackle any project involving fabricated lead products in-house or send lead burners to your job site for construction maintenance and repairs of your Wet Electrostatic Precipitators.

Fabricated Lead Products

• Sheet lead, up to 2.4m x 6.1m (8' x 20')
• Pure lead and lead alloy pipes up to 25.4 cm (10'') inside diameter
• Lead burning bar
• Extruded lead anodes for chromium plating and other metal finishing applications complete with copper hooks (plastisol-coated or tinned)
• Grid anodes

Lead Equipment

• WESP mist precipitators
• Electrode star wire
• Lead weights
• High voltage frames and suspensions
• Deflector cones
• Lead coils

On-Site Construction, Maintenance and Repairs

• WESP Mist precipitator rebuilds
• On-site lead construction and maintenance
• On-site lead lining of tanks
• New installations
• Shutdown lead construction maintenance and projects
• Homogeneous bonding
• Inspection service
• Project supervision, local or international

Contact us before you tackle any project involving lead. We have very few limitations when it comes to fabricated lead products.

Custom fabricated lead products with unmatched precision and quality for a variety of applications. General Smelting produces pure lead and lead alloy products in a variety of sizes and shapes. Applications include:

Nuclear, medical and industrial shielding

• Lead lined containers for safe storage and handling of radioactive wastes
• Lead sheets and lead bricks for x-ray shielding (see Lead Sheets, Bricks and Pipes section for more details)

Zinc, copper, cobalt and nickel refining

We are a leader in the production of lead alloy anodes for electrowinning applications (see Lead Electrowinning Anodes section for more details)

Counterweight and ballast

• Elevator weights
• Aerospace weights
• Theatrical weights
• Ship ballast weights
• Racing car weights
• Crane and lifting equipment weights
• Anti-vibration devices

We offer several fabrication options, all of which are performed in house:

• Casting: Custom mould fabrication for lower run productions where casting is the most cost-effective solution.
• Extrusion: We have three hydraulic presses capable of extruding dimensions from 1/16'' to 11'' in diameter. We have a large selection of dies: round (solid or pipes), ribbed, elliptical, rectangular, square, etc. Special dies can be fabricated upon request.
• Rolling Mill: We have one of North America's largest lead rolling mills, capable of producing sheets with dimensions up to 2.4m x 6.1m (8' x 20').
• CNC machining: Numerically controlled precision allows us to fabricate lead or lead alloy products with dimensional and weight tolerances unmatched in our industry.
• Lead Burning: We have Canada's largest and most experienced lead construction (lead burning) department. We tackle any project involving fabricated lead products in-house or send lead burners to your job site for construction maintenance and repairs. (see Lead Burning Service section for more details).

General Smelting of Canada has been supplying high quality lead-based alloys for over 50 years. ​

Major applications include: 

• Commercial and industrial batteries
• Wheel balancing weights
• Counterweights
• Lead pressure castings
• Production conditions optimized and controlled using a Six Sigma approach

We can manufacture a variety of lead-based alloys containing antimony, copper, tin and other non-ferrous metals. Many casting shapes are available (ingots from 7 lbs to 65 lbs / 2000 lbs or 4000 lbs sows with lifting hooks). We can also ship our ingots in self palletizing bundles, thus eliminating problems associated with wooden skids.

Minimum production quantity requirements vary according to requested alloy and casting shape.

For applications such as radioactive shielding, soundproofing, roofing and corrosion-resistant barriers.

General Smelting specializes in fabricated lead products. We have one of North America's largest lead rolling mills, capable of producing sheets with dimensions up to 2.4m x 6.1m (8' x 20'). CNC cutting can be offered for applications requiring higher dimensional precision. We can also fabricate lead bricks (cast interlocked bricks or extruded straight bricks) used in various radioactive shielding applications.

General Smelting also has three extrusion presses capable of fabricating lead pipes, anodes, bricks and other products from 0.16 cm (1/16'') to 25.4 cm (10'') inside diameter. We have a large selection of dies: round, ribbed, elliptical, rectangular, square, etc. Send us your request and we will fabricate the required tooling die if it's not part of our inventory.

Applications for lead sheets, lead bricks and lead pipes include:

• X-ray and nuclear shielding , medical and industrial (e.g., Linear Accelerator Vaults)
• Roofing (flashing, moisture barrier)
• Soundproofing
• Corrosion-resistant barriers (Acid tank linings)

Lead's great properties – low melting temperature, high density, corrosion resistance, malleability, relatively low cost – make it a material of choice for a great variety of applications.

Minimum production quantity requirements vary depending on the requested alloy and dimensions.

General Smelting of Canada has been active on the secondary lead market for more than 50 years.

We purchase all types of non-battery lead scrap including lead cable strips and mixed dealer lead.

We offer competitive rates and good payment terms.

For chromium plating and other metal assembly and finishing operations.

General Smelting has three extrusion presses capable of fabricating lead alloy bars, anodes and Sn/Pb or Pb-free solder wires. Our presses are capable of extruding dimensions from 1/16'' to 11'' in diameter. We have a large selection of dies: round, ribbed, elliptical, rectangular, square, etc. Special dies can be fabricated upon request.

Applications for lead bars and wire solders include:

• Lead burring (welding)
• Print circuit board wave soldering
• Plumbing
• Stained glass

Applications for lead alloy anodes include:

• Chromium plating and other metal finishing operations
• Zinc, copper, cobalt and nickel refining (see Lead Electrowinning Anodes section for more details)

Lead has great properties such as low melting temperature, high density, corrosion resistance, malleability, relatively low cost, making it a material of choice for a large variety of applications.

Minimum production quantity requirements vary depending on the requested alloy and dimensions.

For chromium plating and other metal assembly and finishing operations.

General Smelting has three extrusion presses capable of fabricating lead alloy bars, anodes and Sn/Pb or Pb-free solder wires. Our presses are capable of extruding dimensions from 1/16'' to 11'' in diameter. We have a large selection of dies: round, ribbed, elliptical, rectangular, square, etc. Special dies can be fabricated upon request.

Applications for lead bars and wire solders include:

• Lead burring (welding)
• Print circuit board wave soldering
• Plumbing
• Stained glass

Applications for lead alloy anodes include:

• Chromium plating and other metal finishing operations
• Zinc, copper, cobalt and nickel refining (see Lead Electrowinning Anodes section for more details)

Lead has great properties such as low melting temperature, high density, corrosion resistance, malleability, relatively low cost, making it a material of choice for a large variety of applications.

Minimum production quantity requirements vary depending on the requested alloy and dimensions.

Protective friction barriers for bearings and other components

General Smelting of Canada has been supplying high quality alloys to the jewelry and pewter industry for over 50 years.

There are 3 main alloy families for jewelry and pewter applications:

General Smelting of Canada has been supplying high quality Babbitt alloys to the industry for over 50 years.

There are 2 main Babbitt alloy families

• Tin-based alloys (lead free)
• Tin-based alloys (containing lead*)
• Lead-based alloys*

We can manufacture a variety of alloys to meet your specifications. Many casting shapes are available (ingots from 7 lbs to 65 lbs).

Minimum production quantity requirements vary depending on the requested alloy and casting shape.

* With a uniquely high density, lead can be used to increase the physical quality of certain products such as sports medals. Restrictions regulating lead levels in pewter, jewelry and other castings are in place. Make sure the alloy you select meets applicable maximum lead level regulations and specifications.

Protective friction barriers for bearings and other components.

General Smelting of Canada has been supplying high quality Babbitt alloys to the industry for over 50 years.

There are 2 main Babbitt alloy families

• Lead-based Babbitt alloys (PDF)
• Tin-based Babbitt alloys (PDF)

Choosing the right Babbitt alloy is very important. Selection variables include shaft rotation speed and load.

We can manufacture a variety of Babbitt alloys. We offer 2 bars sizes: 7 lbs and 45 lbs, both shipped in 1,000 lb or 2,000 lb packages.

Minimum production quantity requirement: 1,000 lbs