US 5,964,904 AGranted

Method of making an article that comprises dispersion-hardened lead

AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.

InventorsSungho Jin, Brijesh Vyas, Susan M. Zahurak

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Abstract

A lead-acid battery according to the invention contains an electrode grid structure that comprises dispersoid-containing lead having relatively high strength and good corrosion resistance. The dispersoid particles exemplarily are selected from the oxides, nitrides and carbides that are substantially insoluble in lead and in sulfuric acid of concentration suitable for use in a lead-acid battery. Significantly, the dispersoid-containing lead has average grain size of at least 20 .mu.m. In consequence of the relatively large grain size, the total length of grain boundaries exposed to electrolyte is relatively small, and corrosion resistance is improved. Exemplary techniques for forming the dispersoid-containing lead are disclosed.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Method of making an article that comprises a dispersion-hardened lead member;

characterized in that the method comprises
a) forming a multilayer arrangement of lead sheets having thickness, with dispersoid particles disposed between adjacent lead sheets, said dispersoid particles selected from the inorganic materials that have solubility less than 0.5 atomic percent in lead and in sulfuric acid, both at a temperature in the range -20 to 70.degree. C., and the sulfuric acid of concentration in the range 14-45% by weight;
b) subjecting the multilayer arrangement to a multiplicity of mechanical deformation steps selected to reduce the thickness of the lead sheets such that said dispersoid particles are substantially uniformly distributed in the lead;
c) forming said dispersion hardened lead member from the lead with the dispersoid particles distributed therein;
and
d) carrying out one or more further steps towards completion of the article.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/219,466Filed 23 Dec 1998 · division
Priority: 12 Mar 1996
Granted: 12 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

C22C 1/1094
Alloys containing non-metals: comprising an after-treatment
C22C 1/059
Mixtures of metal powder with non-metallic powder: making alloys comprising less than 5% by weight of dispersed reinforcing phases
C22C 32/00
Non-ferrous alloys containing at least 5% by weight but less than 50%
H01M 4/16
Electrodes for lead-acid accumulators: processes of manufacture