CONTINUOUS-CASTING OF LEAD-ANTIMONY ALLOYS

Lead-calcium-tin (Pb-Ca-Sn) grids for lead/acid positive plates produc ed with alternative methods to mould casting have gained increasing ac ceptance during the last twenty years. Similar development of alternat ive lead-antimony (Pb-Sb) grids has been hampered by the poor electroc hemical behaviour of these alloys as characterized by increased grid g rowth and abnormally high rates of open-circuit corrosion. Continuousl y-cast antimonial grids with corrosion and mechanical properties that match those of conventional, mould-cast types have been recently devel oped at Hoppecke. This paper gives an account of the associated develo pment programme in the field. Different aspects of continuous casting of low-antimony alloys are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.