Abstract: A method of making battery plates for lead-acid batteries includes providing a strip of material comprising lead; and punching material out of the strip to form a grid comprising wires having a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape by utilizing a die set comprising a plurality of male die components and female die components, wherein each of the male die components comprises a first portion having a first cross-sectional shape and a second portion having a second-cross sectional shape. A single punch of the material creates a hole in the material and also forms the periphery of the hole.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery grid made from a lead-based alloy containing tin, calcium, bismuth and copper and characterized by enhanced mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, less battery gassing, lower sulfation and water loss, and no post-casting treatment requirements for age hardening. In one embodiment, the battery grids are formed from a lead-based alloy including about 2.0% tin, about 0.0125% copper, about 0.065% calcium, and about 0.032% bismuth. Preferably, the battery grid is free of silver beyond trace levels in the alloy.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery grid made from a lead-based alloy containing tin, calcium, bismuth and copper and characterized by enhanced mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, less battery gassing, lower sulfation and water loss, and no post-casting treatment requirements for age hardening. In one embodiment, the battery grids are formed from a lead-based alloy including about 2.0% tin, about 0.0125% copper, about 0.065% calcium, and about 0.032% bismuth. Preferably, the battery grid is free of silver beyond trace levels in the alloy.

Abstract: A method of making battery plates for lead-acid batteries includes providing a strip of material comprising lead; and punching material out of the strip to form a grid comprising wires having a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape by utilizing a die set comprising a plurality of male die components and female die components, wherein each of the male die components comprises a first portion having a first cross-sectional shape and a second portion having a second-cross sectional shape. A single punch of the material creates a hole in the material and also forms the periphery of the hole.

Abstract: A winding assembly including positive and negative electrodes and a separator sheet wound in an overlying relationship such that the separator sheet is positioned between the positive and negative electrodes, and such that an exposed edge of the positive electrode is spaced longitudinally from an unexposed edge of the negative electrode at one end, and such that an exposed edge region of the negative electrode is spaced longitudinally from an unexposed edge of the positive electrode at an opposite end, and wherein a portion of the positive electrode proximate to the exposed edge of the positive electrode comprises a first plurality of apertures and a portion of the negative electrode proximate to the exposed edge of the negative electrode comprises a second plurality apertures.