FROM LEAF-TYPE TO POCKETS - DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN WESTERN-EUROPE FOR AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY SEPARATORS

During recent years, an enormous change has been taking place in Europe with respect to the construction of automotive lead/acid batteries. Whereas in 1980 almost all such batteries still used leaf separators and containers with mud spaces, nowadays already more than half of the batteries are produced with microporous polyethylene separator pockets and no mud space. Improved energy content, increased cold-cranking performance and higher productivity have all served to accelerate the introduction of new technology. Performance data for the various separation systems are compared and are based on battery test results. The superiority of pocket separation is demonstrated by excellent cold-cranking voltages as well as by significantly extended battery life under severe duty, i.e., more cycles at higher temperature. Analysis of likely development trends in the near future shows that cycling stability at elevated temperatures may attain prime importance.