WHAT MATERIAL IS THE BATTERY MADE OF?

GRIDS - Grids made of lead alloy make the active material stronger since pure lead is too soft for the purpose. Apart from giving mechanical support to active material, grids conduct electricity whenever a consumer is connected to the battery.

ACTIVE MATERIAL - Active material is made of a mixture of lead oxide and lead sulphate, which turns into lead dioxide at the positive plate and porous lead at the negative plate during initial charging. The negative active material contains small quantities of additives, which facilitate better discharge performance at low temperatures. The grid with active material is called the plate.

ELECTROLYTE - The electrolyte is diluted sulphuric acid, which serves as a conductor to transport electrical ions between the positive and negative plates when the battery is discharged or recharged. The acid also takes part in the discharge as the sulphate ions react chemically at the electrodes to produce lead sulphate.

SEPARATOR - The separator is an insulator between the positive and negative plate preventing thus a shortcut. It has to be micro-porous to enable ions flowing from one to the other plate to pass through it. It also must be resistant to high temperatures as well as conditions of intensive acidicoxidation.The majority of modern separators are manufactured of micro-porous polyethylene of appropriate characteristics for use in batteries.

CONTAINER AND LID - These are normally made of polypropylene, which is a light but strong plastic. Unlike some plastics, it does not become brittle when it is cold and so can resist knocks during handling. It is not attacked by acid and it can also withstand the fluids (petrol, diesel, brake-fluid, antifreeze) normally found on a vehicle.