LEAD ALLOYS WITH INCREASED CORROSION AND / OR INTERCRYSTAL CORROSION RESISTANCE, ESPECIALLY FOR LEAD ACID BATTERIES AND ELECTRODES

摘要

Recrystallized lead and lead alloy positive electrodes for lead acid batteries having an increased percentage of special grain boundaries in the microstructure, preferably to at least 50%, which have been provided by a process comprising steps of working or straining the lead or lead alloy, and subsequently annealing the lead or lead alloy. Either a single cycle of working and annealing can be provided, or a plurality of such cycles can be provided. The amount of cold work or strain, the recrystallization time and temperature, and the number of repetitions of such steps are selected to ensure that a substantial increase in the population of special grain boundaries is provided in the microstructure, to improve resistance to creep, intergranular corrosion and intergranular cracking of the electrodes during battery service, and result in extended battery life and the opportunity to reduce the size and weight of the battery.