Batteries and components thereof were subjected to tensile tests.

In furtherance of the development described in the immediately preceding article, an experimental study focusing on mechanical aspects of structural composite batteries was performed. In this study, battery component materials, battery components, and fully assembled structural composite batteries were subjected to tensile tests. Limited electrochemical tests were also performed.

The components and materials selected for testing were the following:

• Polymer Electrolyte

The polymer electrolyte was a vinyl ester random copolymer comprising 80 weight percent of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) 550 monoacrylate and 20 weight percent ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate.

• Anodes

Two anode materials were selected: a plain woven and a nonwoven carbon fabric. The relevant electrochemical properties of these materials were known from prior tests. The thicknesses and areal mass densities of these materials were known from manufacturers' specifications.

• Cathodes

Two-Cell Batteries having a layered configuration were fabricated and subjected to tensile tests.

Three metal substrate materials were chosen: a woven mesh made of 304 stainless steel, a perforated foil made of 304 stainless steel, and an expanded foil made of 316L stainless steel. The proportions of open surface area of these materials are all ª30 percent — a value chosen because it affords a good compromise between retaining in-plane stiffness and providing open surface area for deposition of the composite cathode material.