Performance and Charging-Discharging Behavior of AGM Lead Acid Battery according to the Improvement of Bonding between Active Material/Substrate using Sand-Blasting Method

Abstract

To cope with automobile exhaust gas regulations, ISG (Idling Stop & Go) and charging control systems are applied to HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) for the purpose of improving fuel economy. These systems require quick charge/discharge performance at high current. To satisfy this characteristic, improvement of the positive electrode plate is studied to improve the charge/discharge process and performance of AGM(Absorbent Glass Mat) lead-acid batteries applied to ISG automotive systems. The bonding between grid and A.M (Active Material) can be improved by applying the Sand-Blasting method to provide roughness to the surface of the positive grid. When the Sand-Blasting method is applied with conditions of ball speed 1,000 rpm and conveyor speed 5 M/min, ideal bonding is achieved between grid and A.M. The positive plate of each condition is applied to the AGM LAB (Absorbent Glass Mat Lead Acid Battery); then, the performance and ISG life characteristics are tested by the vehicle battery test method. In CCA, which evaluates the starting performance at -18 °C and 30 °C with high current, the advanced AGM LAB improves about 25 %. At 0 °C CA (Charge Acceptance), the initial charging current of the advanced AGM LAB increases about 25 %. Improving the bonding between the grid and A.M. by roughening the grid surface improves the flow of current and lowers the resistance, which is considered to have a significant effect on the high current charging/discharging area. In a Standard of Battery Association of Japan (SBA) S0101 test, after 300 A discharge, the voltage of the advanced AGM LAB with the Sand-Blasting method grid was 0.059 V higher than that of untreated grid. As the cycle progresses, the gap widens to 0.13 V at the point of 10,800 cycles. As the bonding between grid and A.M. increases through the Sand Blasting method, the slope of the discharge voltage declines gradually as the cycle progresses, showing excellent battery life characteristics. It is believed that system will exhibit excellent characteristics in the vehicle environment of the ISG system, in which charge/discharge occurs over a short time.