What Is an Alkaline Battery?

What Is an Alkaline Battery?

Batteries function by converting energy generated by chemical reactions into usable electrical energy. Alkaline is the battery chemistry for consumer electronic applications, including wireless peripherals, gaming consoles, and various electronics accessories. Alkaline batteries are cost-effective power solutions that are readily available at many retail stores. H&V offers alkaline separator products to meet the alkaline producer and consumer’s needs.

What Are Key Advantages of Alkaline Batteries?

Alkaline batteries offer longer performance life than non-alkaline batteries, such as zinc carbon. Other advantages they have over other types of batteries include:

Lower Cost

They are less expensive than other batteries, especially secondary or rechargeable batteries.

Longer Shelf Life

They can be stored for up to 10 years while maintaining 80% capacity.

Greater Extreme Temperature Resistance

They can work in extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures.

Easier Disposable Requirements

They do not contain lead, mercury, or cadmium, making them easier to dispose of than batteries that contain these compounds.

Smaller Risk of Leakage

They are less likely to leak than many other types of batteries.

Broader Versatility

They are available in standard sizes, so engineers and developers can easily incorporate them into product designs.

Why Use H&V’s Alkaline Battery Separators?

H&V’s alkaline separators are stable and used in batteries that promote a 10-year shelf life. The products offered are lightweight materials at just 25–30 gsm. The benefits of our alkaline separator include:

Low Impurities

Our paper products have little to no metals, contaminants, or chemical impurities. They are nonreactive.

Low Weight

Pasting paper won’t significantly add to the thickness or weight of the assembly.

Optimal Battery Performance

The separator does not interfere with other substrates in the battery assembly. It can be used for a consumer’s low- or high-rate discharge device.

What Are the Types of Primary Batteries?

Primary batteries, or primary cell batteries, come in many varieties. They differ not only in size and shape but also in material composition and performance. The most common types include alkaline, lithium thionyl chloride, lithium, zinc-carbon, and mercuric oxide batteries.

  • Low-Drain Devices

    Low-drain devices are items that use electricity sporadically rather than continuously. Due to their inconsistent electrical usage, they require a battery with long service and shelf life. Low-drain devices that benefit from alkaline batteries include:

    • Alarm clocks
    • Camera flashes
    • Electric toothbrushes
    • Flashlights
    • Game controllers
    • Portable radios
    • Remote controls
    • Toys
  • Medical Equipment and Devices

    As medical technology continues to advance, more and more medical devices and equipment require safe, long-lasting batteries. Alkaline batteries are used for many medical products, including:

    • Blood pressure monitors
    • Electronic thermometers
    • Infusion pumps
    • Pulse oximeters
  • Industrial and Commercial Equipment

    Alkaline batteries offer dependable power for extended periods of time, which makes them ideal for use in critical industrial and commercial applications where safety and reliability are key. Examples of devices and systems that use them include:

    • Digital voltmeters
    • Door locks
    • Laser pointers
    • Mobile scanners
    • Portable transmitters
    • Remote controls
    • Smoke alarms

Alkaline Battery Solutions From H&V

Due to their low cost, long shelf life, broad versatility, and many other advantages, alkaline batteries are a popular energy solution for many devices and systems. Want to learn more about them? Ask the experts at Hollingsworth & Vose!

At Hollingsworth & Vose, we offer advanced materials for cleaner energy storage products, including alkaline batteries. We provide separators in a range of configurations to suit different requirements. To learn more about our materials and how they are used in alkaline batteries, contact us today.