A study of the effects of compression on the performance of the positive active mass in lead–acid cells using absorptive glass mat separators

A new electrochemical cell was designed and constructed to enable in situ measurements of the performance and internal resistances of lead–acid test electrodes in a vertical position during cycling at well-defined degrees of compression. The AGM separators used were combined with microporous paper separators to prevent short-circuiting by conducting bridges of lead dioxide. The test cells were subjected to pressures in the range 0–8 N/cm2; the compression decreased the positive active mass resistance and increased its cycle life.