The possible mechanisms of cadmium shunting in nickel-cadmium batteries are analyzed. The transfer of the negative elektrode active mass to the interelectrode gap is shown to be the main cause leading to a short circuit. The complete or partial cathodic reduction of this mass results in the separator loosing its insulating ability and in an internal short circuit.
In order to protect batteries from an internal short circuit, the deposition of 5-15 mcm nickel barrier coatings onto the surface of half-finished cadmium electrodes is proposed. A mechanism of their protecting action is hypothesized on the basis of experimental data