Abstract: The grain size and resistance to corrosion of lead-antimony alloys containing less than 4% of antimony and 0.005 to 0.1% copper, are improved by incorporating therein from 0.001 to 0.1% of a mixture of rare earths, preferably misch metal. The alloys may also contain up to 0.5% arsenic or up to 0.8% of tin.

Abstract: Low antimony alloys of lead are used for casting electrode supports in lead accumulators. They include less than 4% antimony by weight to avoid various poisoning effects of antimony on the electrochemical processes involved. Such alloys tend to have grains of excessive size which can lead to brittle castings. To reduce the grain size the present invention includes an additive constituted by a rare earth or a mixture of rare earths, e.g. misch metal at between 0.001% and 1% by weight, and preferably at 0.2%. The invention also provides an electrode support cast from the alloy, an electrode including such a support and a lead acid battery including such electrodes.