Abstract: An SLI battery for use in vehicle applications includes a container, a positive plate and a negative plate disposed within the container, and a separator disposed within the container and separating the positive plate and the negative plate. The positive plate includes a frame, a lug, and a plurality of wires and is formed by book mold gravity casting. The plate is formed of a lead-based alloy consisting essentially of lead, tin in the range of greater than 0.5 percent to about 1.2 percent, calcium in an amount such that the ratio of tin to calcium of greater than 12:1, and silver in the range of greater than 0 to less than 0.015 percent, where the percentages are based upon the total weight of the alloy.

Abstract: Electrode grids for lead storage batteries comprise a lead alloy which, in addition to calcium and tin and, if appropriate, silver, contains of aluminum, the aluminum content being in the range of approximately 0.012% to 0.02% by weight, and the average grain diameter in the web and frame area of the grids is 200 &mgr;m-600 &mgr;m. Preferably, the aluminum content is in the range of approximately 0.014% to 0.02%, the calcium content is approximately between 0.04 and 0.06%, the tin content is approximately between 0.5 to 1.0%, and optionally 0.5 to 0.7%, and the silver content is approximately between 0.005 and 0.06%.

Abstract: A lead acid cell including a positive plate or grid has been discovered involving Pb/Ca/Sn/Ag alloy. An interaction between tin and silver which leads to optimum tin and silver levels which are substantially different than those indicated in the prior art. The described optimum tin and silver levels results in a positive alloy with superior mechanical properties and improved corrosion resistance which leads to superior battery life in present day SLI applications. In a preferred manner, the alloy includes lead, tin in the range of about 0.8% to about 1.17%, and silver in the range of grater than 0 to about 0.015%, the percentages being based upon the total weight of the lead-based alloy.