Function

• The purpose of an alkaline battery is to power electronic devices until the charge within the battery runs out.

Composition

• Alkaline batteries, also known as dry cell batteries, have a steel outer casing. Fabric inside the core separates the electrodes from the anodes. The electrolyte is a potassium hydroxide solution in water that carries the ions within the battery cell.

Process

• Alkaline batteries produce power through a chemical reaction that begins to occur when you put the battery in a device, complete the circuit and combine the electrodes and anodes. The battery produces electrical energy because the battery contains the chemical reaction.

Shelf Life

• While an alkaline battery is reliable, it has a shelf life of about 7 to 10 years. Around that time, the chemicals within the battery become stagnant and no longer produce a chemical reaction to power the battery.

Considerations

• Some people believe that placing unused batteries in a freezer extends their shelf life. While the chemical reaction within an alkaline battery does slow at lower temperatures when in a device, there is no documentation available to support the assumption that a disconnected battery has a longer shelf life when kept cold.
• Alkalines major advantages (compared to the zinc-carbon battery system) are a high energy density; the ability to operate continuously at relatively high discharge rates over a wide temperature range (due to its lower internal resistance); and a shelf life in excess of four years. The cost of the alkaline battery, on a service life basis, is lowest in medium to high drain applications.
  
  CHEMISTRY
  The components of the alkaline-manganese battery are a zinc anode, a manganese dioxide cathode, and a highly conductive potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
  
  PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
  Voltage
  The open circuit voltage ranges from 1.5 to 1 .6V, depending on cathode formulation. Typical median operating voltage ranges from 1.3 to 1.1V under moderate discharge conditions.
  
  Discharge Characteristics
  Moderately sloping discharge curve.
  
  Energy Density
  75 Wh/lb. (163 Wh/kg); 6.5 Wh/in.3 (398 Wh/l).
  
  Effect of Discharge Load and Temperature
  Capable of performance at high discharge rates; typical temperature range: -4°F to 130°F (-20°C to 54°C).
  
  Shelf Life
  Up to 85% capacity remaining after 4 years of storage at 70°F (21°C).