Patent ID: 7160502

Claim:
A method for producing an anode for rechargeable batteries comprising the steps of mixing and molding anode materials comprising an electrically conductive material and anode active materials at least comprising: AB 5 type hydrogen storage alloy (1) having substantially a single phase structure and an average crystal long axis diameter of 30 to 350 μm, wherein a ratio (D 1 /D 2 ) of an average crystal long axis diameter (D 1 ) to an average crystal short axis diameter (D 2 ) is lower than 3, and AB 5 type hydrogen storage alloy (2) having a same composition as that of said alloy (1), substantially a single phase structure, and an average crystal long axis diameter of 30 to 350 μm, wherein a ratio (D 1 /D 2 ) of an average crystal long axis diameter (D 1 ) to an average crystal short axis diameter (D 2 ) is not lower than 3, wherein said AB 5 type hydrogen storage alloys have a composition represented by the formula (1): RNi x M y (1) wherein R stands for one or a mixture of rare earth elements including yttrium, M stands for Co, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, W, B, or a mixture thereof, x satisfies 3.3≦x≦5.3 and y satisfies 0.1≦y≦1.5, with 4.7≦x+y≦5.5.