Historically lead(II) nitrate is used in the manufacture of matches and special explosives such as lead azide, in mordants and pigments (a.o., in lead paints) for dyeing and printing calico and other textiles, and in the general manufacture of lead compounds.
Applications. Lead nitrate has been used as a heat stabiliser in nylon and polyesters, as a coating for photothermographic paper, and in rodenticides. In the gold cyanidation process, addition of lead(II) nitrate solution improves the leaching process.