Page 293 - Lindens Handbook of Batteries

MERCURIC OXIDE BATTERIES 12.13

FIGURE 12.15 Effect of temperature on capacity of a cadmium/mercuric oxide
button battery (3000 mAh size).

20.0

10.0 0°C 50.0
+20°C
0°C 20°C
–20°C
5.0 –20°C 20.0
Amperes/kilogram 2.0 Amperes/liter 10.0

5.0
1.0
0.5
2.0

0.2 1.0
2 5 10 20 50 100 200 2 5 10 20 50 100 200
Hours of service to 0.6 V Hours of service to 0.6 V
FIGURE 12.16 Service life of typical cadmium/mercuric FIGURE 12.17 Service life of typical cadmium/mercuric
oxide batteries on a weight basis. oxide batteries on a volume basis.

capacity at various discharge loads. A high percentage of the 20°C capacity is available at the lower
temperatures. The end-point voltage is usually taken as 0.6 V, although at higher current densities
and lower temperatures more useful life can be obtained to lower end voltages.
The performance of the cadmium/mercuric oxide battery is summarized in Figs. 12.16 and 12.17
on a weight and volume basis, respectively. The data were derived from the performance of typical
button batteries.

12.6.2 Storage
Storage life over the temperature range of -55 to +80°C is remarkably good, and if the barrier-
absorbent system is designed to withstand elevated-temperature storage, the major self-discharge
mechanism is by dissolution of the mercuric oxide and its transfer to the anode. A shelf life of 10 years