In situ analysis of creep behavior of pure Pb using electrochemical creep system

The control of the growth of a Pb-based alloy grid is very important for extending the life of a lead-acid battery. In this study, the creep behavior of pure Pb was investigated in air, in a highly concentrated H2SO4 solution, and in a highly concentrated H2SO4 solution with the intermittent electrifying to the specimen electrode, which simulated the discharge–charge process of the lead-acid battery, in order to obtain the fundamental knowledge about the growth of the Pb-based alloy grid. The growth or the creep of pure Pb in the stress range of 4.0–6.0 MPa was advanced by a dislocation creep mechanism. The creep rate in a 4.5 kmol m−3 H2SO4 solution was also accelerated by the electrifying to the electrode. This suggests that the acceleration of the creep rate is closely related to the release of dislocations near the specimen surface by the electrifying.