A battery can be described by the Chemistry of the alloys used in the production of the battery's grids or plates.
- Calcium/Calcium alloys
- Calcium/Antimony hybrid alloys
- Antimony and High Antimony alloys
Amongst other things, the alloy (chemistry) used in the production of the battery will dictate how well the battery will cycle, how long it will live when properly maintained, how much it will gas when being discharged and recharged and how much water it will use as it works.
Typically, calcium/calcium alloys will use less water and will live better in heat. Batteries made with Traction Type calcium/calcium plates will have the added advantage of long life in Deep Cycle Traction applications as well as reduced or eliminated maintenance requirements.
Batteries made with higher Antimony alloys will generally deliver good cycle or run times and life in cyclic applications but will use more water in the process requiring rigorous maintenance schedules.
Calcium/Antimony hybrid alloys will perform somewhere in between.