Lead-oxide battery plate with nonwoven glas mat

Provided is a lead-oxide pasted battery plate comprising a lead alloy grid, lead oxide paste and a nonwoven glass fiber mat. The nonwoven glass mat is comprised of glass fibers having a diameter greater than 10 microns, a binder for the glass fibers, and a third component. The third component can comprise cellulosic fibers, glass micro-fibers, polymeric fibers, fillers or mixtures thereof. The presence of the third component restricts the penetration of the lead oxide paste through the thickness of the mat during the plate pasting operation, thereby keeping the process equipment free from the accumulation of lead oxide paste. The component can then dissolve in the battery acid solution, or work synergistically with the battery separator to deliver electrolyte to the lead oxide plate during the operation of the battery.