Lead-calcium alloy development: quality improvement

In the 1980s, most of the European lead producers and battery manufacturers had an interest in the lead-calcium alloys developed in the North American market. Fifteen years later, the alloy is used in most of the automotive and industrial batteries produced in Europe. During this development period, the composition of lead-calcium alloy has been improved. Physical metallurgy and electrochemistry research carried out by the lead industry has established the composition of the lead-calcium for negative grids. Metaleurop, as a lead producer, initiated in 1975 the production of lead-calcium alloys for sealed lead/acid batteries and was quickly convinced of the necessity to improve the performance of the alloy by further fundamental research (in 1980) and supporting customersʹ efforts. The parameters involved in the production battery plates are well specified. The composition of the alloy is dependent on the equipment used to cast the alloy. Improving the hardness by increasing the calcium content over 0.10 wt.% may not be the solution when melting and cooling conditions should als be adapted. The addition of aluminium to prevent calcium oxidation is efficient, its level being linked to the remelting and casting conditions.