Direction of polyethylene separator development for the SLI market

Recent separator advancements have improved the oxidation stability and puncture resistance of polyethylene (PE) separators. These improvements, at the same time, have been accomplished even as the market continues to demand separators with lower backweb thickness. Results of development work to evaluate improved oxidation resistance is presented. Evaluation of separator characteristics as well as separator performance in an automotive Pb-acid secondary battery are presented and form the basis for an improved separator design.