Gas atomization processing of tin and silicon modified LaNi₅ for nickel-metal hydride battery applications

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/348924· OSTI ID:348924

Ting, Jason ^[1]

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1. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

Numerous researchers have studied the relevant material properties of so-called AB₅ alloys for battery applications. These studies involved LaNi₅ substituted alloys which were prepared using conventional cast and crush alloying techniques. While valuable to the understanding of metal hydride effects, the previous work nearly ignored the potential for alternative direct powder production methods, like high pressure gas atomization (HPGA). Thus, there is a need to understand the relationship between gas atomization processes, powder particle solidification phases, and hydrogen absorption properties of ultra fine (< 25 μm) atomized powders with high surface area for enhanced battery performance. Concurrently, development of a gas atomization nozzle that is more efficient than all current designs is needed to increase the yield of ultrafine AB₅ alloy powder for further processing advantage. Gas atomization processing of the AB₅ alloys was demonstrated to be effective in producing ultrafine spherical powders that were resilient to hydrogen cycling for the benefit of improving corrosion resistance in battery application. These ultrafine powders benefited from the rapid solidification process by having refined solute segregation in the microstructure of the gas atomized powders which enabled a rapid anneal treatment of the powders. The author has demonstrated the ability to produce high yields of ultrafine powder efficiently and cost effectively, using the new HPGA-III technology. Thus, the potential benefits of processing AB₅ alloys using the new HPGA technology could reduce manufacturing cost of nickel-metal hydride powder. In the near future, the manufacture of AB₅ alloy powders could become a continuous and rapid production process. The economic benefit of an improved AB₅ production process may thereby encourage the use of nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries in electrical vehicle applications in the foreseeable future.

• Research Organization: Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 348924
• Report Number(s): IS-T-1861; ON: DE99002512; TRN: AHC29920%%75
• Resource Relation: Other Information: DN: Thesis submitted to Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (US); TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); PBD: 12 Feb 1999
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
25 ENERGY STORAGE
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
LANTHANUM ALLOYS
TIN ALLOYS
SILICON ALLOYS
NICKEL-HYDROGEN BATTERIES
POWDER METALLURGY
ATOMIZATION
SOLIDIFICATION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
HYDROGEN STORAGE
CORROSION RESISTANCE
MICROSTRUCTURE
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES