The lead–acid battery is an old system, and its aging processes have been thoroughly investigated. Reviews regarding aging mechanisms, and expected service life, are found in the monographs by Bode and Berndt , and elsewhere , . The present paper is an up-date, summarizing the present understanding.
The anodic corrosion, positive active mass degradation and loss of adherence to the grid, irreversible formation of lead sulfate in the active mass, short circuits and loss of water are the major aging processes. The overcharge of the battery lead to accelerated corrosion and also to accelerated loss of water.
On the other hand, at very high acid concentrations, service life also decreases, in particular due to higher rates of self-discharge, due to gas evolution, and increased danger of sulfation of the active material. 1. Introduction The lead–acid battery is an old system, and its aging processes have been thoroughly investigated.
In this role the lead acid battery provides short bursts of high current and should ideally be discharged to a maximum of 20% depth of discharge and operate at ~20°C, to ensure a good cycle life, about 1500 cycles orthree to five years of operation .
Stationary batteries, operated under float-charge conditions, will age typically by corrosion of the positive grids. On the other hand, service life of batteries subject to cycling regimes, will typically age by degradation of the structure of the positive active mass.
Some aging mechanisms are occurring only upon misuse. Short-circuits across the separators, due to the formation of metallic lead dendrites, for example, are usually formed only after (excessively) deep discharge. Stationary batteries, operated under float-charge conditions, will age typically by corrosion of the positive grids.