The Curing of Lead Storage Battery Plates

Abstract

In the lead‐acid storage battery industry, the trend has been toward the use of litharge containing high percentages of finely divided, unreacted metallic lead. Plates containing this material are cured at room temperature in the presence of water prior to forming. The setting action involves oxidation of the metallic lead, an exothermic reaction causing the plates to dry. Variations in atmospheric conditions affect the rate of setting. This paper discusses the effects of temperature and humidity changes on the setting rate. There is an optimum plate moisture concentration corresponding to a maximum oxidation rate.