POSITIVE-PLATE GAUNTLETS - THE NONWOVEN FABRIC SOLUTION

The tubular positive plate has undergone a gradual change in design th at has progressed from single tube assembly to the gauntlet concept. T he latest step in gauntlet development is the introduction of non-wove n fabrics. These latest fabrics offer many advantages to the tubular b attery. The advantages are both of a technical as well as of an econom ic nature. On the technical side, these non-woven fabrics offer struct ures which are very porous and yet have relatively small pore sizes. T his combination of characteristics results in excellent positive activ e-material retention and low electrical resistance. The surface finish and physical characteristics of the non-woven fabrics also have an im pact on the different plate-manufacturing techniques. But the one of t he greatest benefits of this type of positive-plate gauntlet is its co ntribution to an improvement of the electrical output of the cycling b attery both in terms of higher capacity (due to the lower electrical r esistance) and to longer cycle life (due to the finer pore structure). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A, All rights reserved.