ALUMINUM-ALLOYS FOR ALUMINUM PRIMARY-CELL

Aluminium has not been widely used for anode material for primary cells, despite its attractive properties. Aluminium loses a great part of the potential when anodically polarized, and is easily corroded in aqueous solution with hydrogen evolved. Aluminium alloys derived from high purity aluminium (99. 999%) were prepared for application to primary dry cell. It is found that the rate of corrosion significantly increased after anodic polarization (anodic dissolution). The electrode potentials at open circuit and anodic polarization (10 mA cm** minus **2) shifted remarkably in the negative direction by alloying. The anode Faradaic efficiency and the rate of corrosion depended upon the alloy composition. The alloy, Al-3. 0Zn-0. 13Sn-0. 01Ga-0. 07Bi(% w/w), gave the best results.