Reasons a Battery Terminal Corrodes
- Batteries are capable of corrodingbattery image by Aditia Patria Warman from Fotolia.com
There are numerous reasons and factors that can cause a car battery terminal to corrode. Battery corrosion builds up over time, but can become problematic if it spreads and thickens. A battery with moderate to advanced corrosion may not even start. According to the Car Tips website, in order to clean the corrosion off of the terminal use a stiff brush and either vinegar or baking soda. - The Battery Stuff website explains that one of the leading causes of battery terminal corrosion is the emission of hydrogen gas from the battery. The hydrogen gas is produced by a sulfuric compound that is present inside the car battery. Although some of the hydrogen gas escapes through the grill, the majority of the gas does not exit the hood and can cause substantial corrosion buildup on the battery terminals. Corrosion that is caused by hydrogen gas is usually a green, blue and white color.
- Battery corrosion is usually located on the outside of the battery, but at times the cause of the corrosion can be found on the inside. If the inside of the battery becomes cracked, acid can leak out and begin to cause corrosion. The Battery Stuff website explains that a battery can also leak acid if some of the terminals are loose. The terminals can be tightened, but a cracked battery must be replaced. The acid is extremely toxic and increases the potential for a fire under the hood. Gloves should always be worn when cleaning corrosion off of a battery in order to protect then skin.
- A moist and humid environment can result in a battery becoming consistently damp and wet. As a result, oxidation takes place and corrosion begins to form on the battery terminals. Since the environment cannot be changed, purchasing anti-corrosion pads to clean the battery is advisable. In order to prevent substantial battery damage, the battery should be cleaned frequently in order to reduce the amount of corrosive buildup.
