Battery terminal

Abstract

An alloy for casting terminals for lead-acid batteries which has good corrosion resistance, produces less dross during manufacturing, has resistance to polypropylene degradation, as well as other improved features. The alloy is composed of antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%; arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%; tin present in the range of about 0.2-0.6%; copper present in the range of about 0-200 ppm; sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm and the balance lead. In an alternative embodiment, copper and sulfur are replaced with selenium in the range of about 40-90 ppm.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An alloy for use in casting a lead-acid terminal comprising: 
 antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%;    arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%;    tin present in the range of about 0.2-0.6%, the percentages being based upon the total weight of said lead-based alloy;    copper present in the range of about 0-200 ppm;    sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm; and    the balance being essentially lead.    
     
     
         2 . The alloy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 antimony is present in the range of about 2.75-3.25%;    arsenic is present in the range of about 0.18-0.28%;    tin is present in the range of about 0.20-0.35%; and    copper is present in the range of about 0-100 ppm.    
     
     
         3 . The alloy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 antimony is present in an amount of about 3.0%;    arsenic is present in an amount of about 0.2%;    tin is present in an amount of about 0.3%;    copper is present in an amount of about 50 ppm; and    sulfur is present in an amount of about 15 ppm.    
     
     
         4 . The alloy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein copper and sulfur are not present and further including selenium in a range of about 40-90 ppm.  
     
     
         5 . A side terminal for a lead acid storage battery comprising: 
 a fastening member;    a bushing surrounding the fastening member;    the bushing composed of an alloy comprising:    antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%;    arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%;    tin present in the range of about 0.2-0.6%, the percentages being based upon the total weight of said lead-based alloy;    copper present in the range of about 0-200 ppm;    sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm; and    the balance being essentially lead.    
     
     
         6 . The side terminal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the bushing comprises antimony present in the range of about 2.75-3.25%;    arsenic present in the range of about 0.18-0.28%;    tin present in the range of about 0.20-0.35%; and    copper present in the range of about 0-100 ppm.    
     
     
         7 . The side terminal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 antimony is present in an amount of at least 3.0%;    arsenic is present in an amount of about 0.2%;    tin is present in an amount of about 0.3%;    copper is present in an amount of less than about 50 ppm; and    sulfur is present in an amount of about 15 ppm.    
     
     
         8 . The side terminal is defined in  claim 5 , wherein the fastening member is a nut.  
     
     
         9 . The side terminal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the side terminal is connected to a wall of the lead-acid storage battery.  
     
     
         10 . The side terminal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein copper and sulfur are essentially not present and further including selenium in a range of about 40-90 ppm.  
     
     
         11 . The side terminal as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the battery side wall is composed of polypropylene.