6 - Alkaline manganese batteries

Abstract

This chapter discusses primary and secondary alkaline manganese batteries. Alkaline manganese batteries are a direct competitor to the standard carbon-zinc (Leclanchr) battery over which, in certain applications, they enjoy advantages in performance. Alkaline manganese batteries have a high depolarizing efficiency. On continuous or heavy drains they perform very well and have distinct advantages over the relatively cheaper carbon-zinc batteries, on a performance per unit cost basis. Both alkaline manganese and mercury batteries have a superior operating life to carbon-zinc batteries. For applications where voltage stability and extremely small size are not of prime importance, the alkaline manganese battery is considered preferable to the more expensive mercury battery. Certain manufacturers supply rechargeable alkaline manganese cells and batteries; for example, Union Carbide offer the Eveready rechargeable alkaline manganese battery range. These batteries use a unique electrochemical system, are maintenance free, hermetically sealed, and can operate in any position. They are designed for electronic and electrical applications where low initial costs and low operating costs, compared with the cost of nickel-cadmium cells, are of paramount importance. Rechargeable alkaline manganese cells can also be used as an alternative to dry cells, since, although they have a higher initial cost, they are cheaper overall owing to their recycling property.