An ASTM International task group on battery separator materials is currently working on the latest in a series of standards being developed for alkaline battery separators. The proposed new standard, WK13587, Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Materials That Are Used for Alkaline Battery Separators, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D09.19 on Dielectric Sheet and Roll Products, which is part of ASTM International Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials.
 
“WK13587 will serve as a general guide for testing battery separators,” says George Zguris, chair of Task Group D09.19.02 on Separator Materials, and chief scientist, Hollingsworth and Vose. “Currently there is no known general standard for this purpose.”
 
Zguris says that WK13587 is a continuation of the task group’s work to develop standardized test methods for alkaline type battery separators. The task group has already completed two approved standards, D 7129, Test Method for Determination of Ammonia Trapping in a Grafted Battery Separator, and D 7131, Test Method for Determination of Ion Exchange Capacity (IEC) in a Grafted Battery Separator. Another proposed new standard, WK914, Test Method for Determining the Electrical Resistance (Ionic) of an Alkaline Battery Separator Using a Carbon Electrode in an Electrolyte Bath Measuring System, is nearly ready to be submitted for Society ballot.
 
Interested parties are invited to participate in the further development of WK13587. While the task group will next meet at the April Committee Week, Zguris notes that much of the work is done through virtual meetings, in which volunteers can participate whether or not they are available to attend the committee week meeting.

For further technical information, contact George Zguris, chief scientist, Hollingsworth and Vose Company, West Groton, Mass. (phone: 978/448-7166; George.Zguris@hovo.com; Zguris@ieee.org). Committee D09 meets April 18-20, 2007, during the April Committee Week in Norfolk, Va. For membership or meeting information, contact Christine Sierk, manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9728; csierk@astm.org).

Release #7583