Monthly Archives: June 2021

Car Battery Corrosion - What is it and What Causes it?

Car Battery Corrosion - What is it and What Causes it?

Visible corrosion is one of the common signs of battery terminal problems. It can interfere with the free flow of power within the battery and, in worst cases, block it altogether. Mostly, the corrosion appears like a white, bluish, or green substance on your car battery cables, posts, or terminals. The white-colored substance you observe can either be anhydrous copper sulfate or lead sulfate. Suffice to say, the former will eventually turn blue once exposed to moisture. The corrosion on your battery is a poor electrical conductor and tends to increase the resistance in the circuit. If not timely repaired, the resistance translates to transient current flow, which will ultimately prevent your car from starting. So, What Causes Battery Corrosion? Ideally, battery corrosion results from the hydrogen gas released by sulfuric acid present within the battery. As the gasses react with the ambient atmosphere, such elements as salts and moistures act as catalysts, speeding the process. The r ... read more