Small pore size nonwoven mat with hydrophilic/acid resistant filler used in lead acid batteries and applications therefor

A lead-acid battery comprising:

• a positive electrode;
• a negative electrode;
• and
• a nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat configured for reinforcing the positive or negative electrode or supporting a separator, the nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat including:
• a plurality of first glass fibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 5 μm;
• a plurality of second glass fibers having an average fiber diameter of greater than 6 μm;
• and
• an acid resistant binder composition that binds the plurality of first glass fibers and second glass fibers together, wherein:
• the nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat includes between about 10% and about 50% by weight of the plurality of first glass fibers and between about 50% and 90% by weight of the plurality of second glass fibers;
• and
• the nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat has an average pore size of between 1 μm and 100 μm and exhibits an air permeability of below 100 cubic feet per minute per square foot (cfm/ft2) as measured by the Frazier test at 125 Pa according to ASTM Standard Method D737;
• wherein the nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat has a Cobb60 degree that is less than or equal to the weight of the nonwoven fiber reinforcement mat.