Zinc ribbon anodes and associated methods
Zinc ribbon anodes and methods of making the same are provided herein. In some embodiments, the zinc ribbon anode includes a hollow elongated zinc ribbon having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a hollow space extending from the first end to the second end; and an elongated metal core disposed within the hollow space and in contact with the inner surface, wherein a cross-section of the hollow elongated zinc ribbon taken between the first end and the second end and perpendicular to the outer surface is polygonal in shape, and wherein the cross-section has an aspect ratio of at least 1.5:1.
1. A zinc ribbon anode comprising:
a hollow elongated zinc ribbon having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a hollow space extending from a first opening at the first end to a second opening at the second end;
such that the hollow space is exposed only at the first opening and the second opening; and
an elongated metal core disposed within the hollow space and in contact with the inner surface,
wherein a cross-section of the hollow elongated zinc ribbon taken between the first end and the second end and perpendicular to the outer surface is polygonal in shape, and
wherein the cross-section has an aspect ratio of at least 1.5:1.
2. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section has an aspect ratio of at least 2:1.
3. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section has an aspect ratio of at least 5:1.
4. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section has an aspect ratio of at least 15:1.
5. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has an area of at least about 35 square inches per pound of zinc ribbon anode.
6. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has an area of at least about 52 square inches per pound of zinc ribbon anode.
7. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has an area of at least about 70 square inches per pound of zinc ribbon anode.
8. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has a surface area of at least about 30 square inches per linear foot of zinc ribbon anode.
9. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has a surface area of at least about 39 square inches per linear foot of zinc ribbon anode.
10. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has a surface area of at least about 60 square inches per linear foot of zinc ribbon anode.
11. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section is substantially rectangular in shape.
12. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the elongated metal core taken between the first end and the second end is polygonal in shape.
13. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 12 , wherein the cross-section of the elongated metal core is rectangular in shape.
14. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the grain structure of the hollow elongated zinc ribbon is substantially longitudinal.
15. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the zinc ribbon anode be longitudinally bent over a smaller radius than a comparative zinc ribbon anode having an aspect ratio of from about 1 to about 2.
16. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the zinc ribbon anode can be longitudinally bent over a radius which is at least 20% smaller than the radius over which a comparative zinc ribbon anode having an aspect ratio of from about 1 to about 2.
17. The zinc ribbon anode of claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated zinc ribbon is formed by extrusion.