Additional Information On Standard Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries were invented in 1949 by Lewis Urry, a chemical engineer at the Eveready Battery Company, and have been with us since the 1950s. They are the most widely recognized among primary batteries and served as the next step in off-the-shelf consumer batteries, gradually replacing the cheaper 1.5-volt zinc-carbon that powered most consumer devices at its peak.  Alkaline batteries deliver more energy at higher loads than their zinc-carbon predecessors and are considerably less susceptible to electrolyte leaks from spent batteries. Leaks are caused by the production of hydrogen gas all primary batteries produce as they discharge. In the absence of adequate venting, pressure builds that ruptures the battery seal creating a corrosive crystalline formation that can spread even into the host device and cause damage.

In common with other primary cells, alkaline batteries have higher specific energy, hold higher capacities, and deliver nearly 40 percent more energy than newer rechargeable technologies such as the lithium-ion batteries. While impressive in published technical specifications, however, manufacturers often do not mention specific power, or power delivery, which is different from specific energy.  Primary batteries are inferior to rechargeable batteries when it comes to specific power, particularly for loads that draw high current. Their lack of strength on loading makes alkaline batteries more suitable for light loads of lower drain applications such as remotes, flashlights, and other portable electronics. Where alkaline batteries fail to address the requirement for high capacity devices, lithium-metal batteries offer improved loading.

Alkaline and other primary batteries exhibit low performance under high load conditions due to their high internal resistance, which is how well electrical current flows through a material, as measured in ohms (Ω).  As the battery is discharged, its internal resistance continues to increase, which causes a collapse in voltage. Demonstrating the performance of an alkaline battery in low drain devices as opposed to high drain devices, a depleted alkaline from a digital camera will frequently contain enough energy to power a wall clock for as long as two years.

 

The most widely recognized among primary batteries is the alkaline, which offers great benefits:

- High specific energy (i.e., capacity)

- Affordability and low cost to manufacture

- Safe disposal due to environmental friendliness 

- Leak-proof on full discharge

- Long storage life of up to 10 years 

 

The excellent safety record of alkaline batteries allows for unregulated transport on aircraft. Unfortunately, alkaline cells are limited to light loads of low drain devices such as remotes, flashlights, and some portable electronics. Where alkaline fails to address the requirement for high capacity devices, lithium-metal batteries offer improved loading; however, because they are considered Class 9 hazardous material, the transport and shipping of lithium batteries are subject to stringent regulatory guidelines.

Primary batteries exhibit low performance under high load conditions due to their high internal resistance, which is how well electrical current flows through a material, as measured in ohms (Ω).  As the battery is discharged, its internal resistance continues to increase, which causes a collapse in voltage. Demonstrating the performance of an alkaline battery in low drain devices as opposed to high drain devices, a depleted alkaline from a digital camera will frequently contain enough energy to power a wall clock for as long as two years.

The most common cell formats for primary batteries are AA, or penlight batteries, which were made available for the public in 1915; and AAA which appeared 39 years later to address the needs of camera manufacturers and the rise of smaller devices. Other size formats include the larger C, D, and 9-volt batteries. The 1990s saw the introduction of AAAA (pronounced quadruple A) batteries, originally designed to power laser pointers and other micro-format devices. The AAAA battery owes its origin to the 9-volt battery, which consists of six AAAA cells, each with a rated voltage of 1.5V. Other common formats include various disc-shaped, button cells such as the popular LR44 battery.

The alkaline AAA battery has only about half the capacity of an AA, despite their similar selling prices. To illustrate, a bicycle light powered by an AAA battery will provide half the runtime of the equivalent light outfitted with an AA battery for insignificantly little more. Prevailing consumer trends prioritizing downsizing over energy cost contributed to the disparity between their pricing in relation to their capacities. In their drive to cut their costs, cities will often buy alkaline batteries in bulk and consolidate their purchase orders. Where coin batteries are needed, such as the LR41 or the LR43 battery, others resort to switching to bulk lithium battery purchase orders.

 

AA Battery Specifications (Alkaline)

AA Battery Height- 50.5mm

AA Battery Width- 14.5mm

AA Battery Weight- 24 grams

AA Battery Nominal Voltage- 1.5 V

AA Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline ≈ 2500 mAh 

AA Battery Composition- Alkaline, Lithium, Carbon-Zinc, NiCd, NiMH, Lithium-Ion

 

AAA Battery Specifications (Alkaline)

AAA Battery Height- 44.5mm

AAA Battery Width- 10.5mm

AAA Battery Weight- 11.5 grams

AAA Battery Nominal Voltage- 1.5 V

AAA Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline ≈ 1200 mAh 

AAA Battery Composition- Alkaline, Lithium, Carbon-Zinc, NiCd, NiMH, Lithium-Ion

 

AAAA Battery Specifications (Alkaline)

AAAA Battery Height- 42.5mm

AAAA Battery Width- 8.3mm

AAAA Battery Weight- 6.5 grams

AAAA Battery Nominal Voltage- 1.5 V

AAAA Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline ≈ 600mAh 

AAAA Battery Composition- Alkaline

 

9V Battery Specifcations

9V Battery Height- 48.5mm

9V Battery Length- 26.5mm

9V Battery Width- 17.5mm

9V Battery Weight- 45.6 grams

9V Battery Nominal Voltage- 9 V

9V Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline ≈ 550 mAh Carbon Zinc≈ 400 mAh Lithium≈ 1200 mAh

9V Battery Composition- Alkaline, Lithium, Carbon-Zinc, NiCd, NiMH, Lithium-Ion

 

LR44 Battery Specifications

LR44 Battery Height- 5.4mm

LR44 Battery Diameter- 11.6mm

LR44 Battery Weight- 1.95 grams

LR44 Battery Nominal Voltage- 1.5 V

LR44 Battery Capacity (Avg.)- ≈ 115 mAh

LR44 Battery Composition- Alkaline (similarly sized variants in silver oxide)

 

LR41 Battery Specifications

LR41 Battery Height- 3.6mm

LR41 Battery Diameter- 7.9mm

LR41 Battery Weight- .57 grams

LR41 Battery Nominal Voltage- 1.5 V

LR41 Battery Capacity (Avg.)-≈ 25-32mAh

LR41 Battery Composition- Alkaline (similarly sized variants in silver oxide)

 

What alkaline batteries will fit in my device?

Battery	Length	Diameter	Voltage
LR1120 Battery	2.05mm	11.6mm	1.5V
LR1130 Battery	3.1mm	11.6mm	1.5V
LR41 Battery	3.6mm	7.9mm	1.5 V
LR43 Battery	4.2mm	11.6mm	1.5 V
LR44 Battery	5.4mm	11.6mm	1.5 V

 

The table below displays some of the battery types available in AA and AAA sizes, and their general specifications:

Characteristic	Primary (disposable)			Secondary (rechargeable)
Chemistry	Zinc Carbon	Alkaline	Lithium-ion	Ni-CD	Ni-MH
Capacity AA	400–1700	1,800–2,600	2,500–3,400	600–1,000	800–2,700
Capacity AAA	~300	800–1,200	1,200	300–500	600–1,250
Nominal Voltage	1.50V	1.50V	1.50V	1.20V	1.20V
Discharge rate	Very low	Low	Medium	Very high	High
Shelf life	1–2 years	7–10 years	10–15 years	5 years	5 years

 

For additional battery information and other technical data please visit the Microbattery.com: Battery University Knowledge & Resource Center

 

Shop Popular Alkaline Batteries:

Shop LR44 Battery                            Shop AAA Battery

Shop LR41 Battery                            Shop AAAA Battery

Shop AA Battery                                Shop A23 Battery (LR23)

Shop 9V Battery                                Shop 27A Battery (LR27)

Shop LR1130 Battery                        Shop D Battery (D Cell)