Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Wanted: Non-conductive clear coating for battery terminals

I am interested in finding a clear coating that will provide sufficient coating for spent household batteries. The batteries are stored in 55-gallon drums and are now required to have their ends taped or "sealed" to ensure no possibility of a discharge prior to shipment to a recycling facility. I was hoping for a water based coating yet fast drying. My hope would be to pour the product into the full drum of batteries until full and then dispense the liquid for use in more drums. Is there a fast drying water based clear acrylic product available? Solvent based clear coatings would invite additional regulatory oversight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Charles Tenborg
Recycler - Arroyo Grande, California, USA
April 8, 2009

Flooding them may prove a mess ahead, more so if the coating dries to a sticky hard film. Batteries may end up sticking together forming a hard to handle monolith. Individual plastic wrapping or brushing the contact points with asphaltum or a suitable roof coating may suffice and be more manageable.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
April 12, 2009

---

Another reason flooding the drum may not work is that it doesn't seem like it would necessarily prevent the conditions that the prevention of conductivity is aimed at - whose to say that you don't have batteries already lined up and touching the drum? It would seem like the point of the nonconducting coating is to prevent the batteries from discharging, that being the case it seems like you would HAVE to apply the coating to the batteries individually.

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA
May 26, 2009

---

First of two simultaneous responses --

To add to the reasons why flooding would not technically work is water vapour (created as the coating dries). Air-drying requires an unrestricted air-flow... the water laden air requires to be replaced by a fresh air-flow. So how can mass coating be achieved with guaranteed coverage and fast drying? This would involve the use of barreling techniques... i.e. throw a load of batteries into the barrel, add small quantity lacquer, turn barrel. After a short period turn batteries onto a chicken wire holding bay, allow items to air-dry... send to tip.
However I like the asphalt/pitch idea -- used hot, you would obtain a cheap and fast turnaround.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
May 27, 2009

---

Second of two simultaneous responses --

have you thought about using the strippable hot dip coatings they use on cutting tools. Dip them and then throw them in the drum?

Ciaron Murphy
Aerospace - South Wales UK
May 28, 2009