Multifunctional web for use in a lead-acid battery

1. A method for manufacturing a lead-acid battery comprising:

applying a pasting paper to a lead paste or grid during manufacturing of a lead-acid battery;

wherein the pasting paper at least initially comprises natural fibers and heat-sealable fibers; and

wherein the natural fibers and the heat-sealable fibers are initially comprised in a single layer and after addition of sulphuric acid to the lead-acid battery the natural fibers dissolve and the heat-sealable fibers remain as a net of heat-sealable fibers.

2. A lead plate for a lead-acid battery, comprising:

a grid;

a lead composition contacting the grid; and

a pasting paper in contact with the lead composition, wherein the pasting paper at least initially comprises natural fibers and heat-sealable fibers in a single layer.

3. A method of preparing a lead plate for a lead-acid battery, comprising:

(i) applying a lead paste to a grid to thereby obtain a grid coated with said lead paste,

(ii) applying a pasting paper to said coated grid to thereby obtain a pasted coated grid, wherein the pasting paper at least initially comprises natural fibers and heat-sealable fibers in a single layer;

(iii) optionally cutting said pasted coated grid into an appropriate size, and

(iv) drying the pasted coated grid.

4. A lead plate produced by the method according to claim 3 .

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the pasting paper is configured such that after addition of sulphuric acid to the pasting paper the natural fibers dissolve and the heat-sealable fibers remain as a net of heat-sealable fibers.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the natural fibers are initially present in an amount of from 20 to 80 wt. % based on the weight of the pasting paper.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the heat-sealable fibers are initially present in an amount of from 20 to 80 wt. % based on the weight of the pasting paper.

8. A lead-acid battery assembly, comprising at least two lead plates of which at least one lead plate comprises:

a grid;

a lead composition in contact with the grid, and

a pasting paper in contact with the lead composition, wherein the pasting paper at least initially comprises natural fibers and heat-sealable fibers;

wherein the natural fibers and the heat sealable fibers are initially comprised in a single layer;

the lead-acid battery optionally further comprising at least one separator disposed between the two lead plates,

wherein-after addition of sulphuric acid to the lead-acid battery the natural fibers dissolve and the heat-seal able fibers remain as a net of heat-sealable fibers.

9. The lead-acid battery assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the natural fibers comprise cellulosic fibers.

10. The lead-acid battery assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the heat-sealable fibers comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or mixtures thereof.

11. The lead-acid battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the heat-sealable fibers comprise bicomponent fibers.

12. The lead-acid battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the natural fibers are initially present in an amount of from 20 to 80 wt. % based on the weight of the pasting paper.

13. The lead-acid battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the heat-sealable fibers are initially present in an amount of from 20 to 80 wt. % based on the weight of the pasting paper.

14. The lead-acid battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the pasting paper further comprises a wet-strength agent.

15. The lead-acid battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the pasting paper is a single layer comprising one, two or more plies, each ply comprising heat-sealable fibers, natural fibers, or both heat-sealable fibers and natural fibers.