ASPECTS OF LEAD-ACID-BATTERY TECHNOLOGY .1. PASTES AND PASTE MIXING

The characteristics of a sulfated leady paste suitable for lead battery production are listed. A detailed description is given for (i) conditions necessary to produce such a paste which will shear and flow well under pressure; (ii) how for any particular attrition mill or Bartonpot oxide the boundaries defining the beginning and end of the plastic flow region can be determined, and (iii) a family of curves established relating paste density with water and sulfuric acid additions making due allowance for losses occurring during the mixing process. Methods of paste application are described together with a code of operating practice to ensure good reproducibility of pasted plates with a mininum of machine 'down-time'. Flash drying is described and the reasons for its adoption.