The Plates
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 208 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW Z4, 2010 BMW X6 M, 2010 BMW X6, 2010 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Plates are grids covered with a paste mixture of Lead Oxide and Sulfuric Acid and water. An expander material made of powdered sulfates is added to the paste to produce negative plates.
A forming charge is applied to the positive plates converting the Lead Oxide to Lead Dioxide, a highly porous material which allows the electrolyte to freely penetrate the plate.
A forming charge is also applied to the negative plates converting the Lead Oxide to Sponge Lead. The Sponge Lead allows the electrolyte to penetrate freely allowing the material beneath the plate surface to take part in the chemical reaction.