Formation of lead sulfate on a plate or cell as a result of discharge, self-discharge or pickling.
The formation of lead sulfate crystals on the plates of a lead-acid battery. Normally used to refer to large sulfate crystals, rather than small crystals formed in normal battery operation, formed as a result of temperature cycling while the battery is in a partially charged state.
In its common usage, the term refers to the formation of lead sulfate of such physical properties that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to reconvert it to active material.
A condition that afflicts unused and discharged batteries; large crystals of lead sulfate grow on the plate, instead of the usual tiny crystals, making the battery extremely difficult to recharge.
As a battery discharges, its plates become covered with lead sulfate. With regular recharging, the lead sulfate leaves the plates and recombines with the electrolyte. If the lead sulfate remains on the plates for an extended period of time (over two months), it hardens, and recharging does not remove it. Sulfation reduces the effective plate area and the battery's capacity. Equalization of flooded (or wet) batteries helps to reduce sulfation.
The change in the normal crystalline structure of sulfate on the surface of a battery plate to more stable, larger crystals which increase resistance to normal battery charging.
The formation of lead-sulfate crystals on the plates of a lead-acid battery. Commonly used to indicate the large crystals which form in partially discharged cells as the result of temperature cycling. These large crystals are more difficult to reduce by the charging current than are the smaller crystals that result from normal and self-discharge reactions. Sulfating can be caused by leaving the battery in a discharged state for long periods of time.
Growth of lead sulfate crystals in Lead-Acid batteries which inhibits current flow. Sulfation is caused by storage at low state of charge.
Sulfation refers to the process whereby a lead-acid battery (such as a car battery) loses its ability to hold a charge after it is kept in a discharged state too long due to the crystallization of lead sulfate.
