Abstract
$FeS_2$ has been widely used for cathode materials in thermal battery because of its high stability and current capability at high operation temperature. Salts such as a LiCl-KCl were added as a binder for improving electrical performance and formability of $FeS_2$ cathode powder. In this study, the effects of the addition of $Li_2O$ in LiCl-KCl binder on the formability of $FeS_2$ powder compact were investigated. With the increasing amount of $Li_2O$ addition to LiCl-KCl binder salts, the strength of the pressed compacts increased considerably when the powder mixture were pre-heat-treated above $350^{\circ}C$. The heat-treatment resulted in promoting the coating coverage of $FeS_2$ particles by the salts as $Li_2O$ was added. The observed coating as $Li_2O$ addition might be attributed to the enhanced wettability of the salt rather than its reduced melting temperature. The high strength of compacts by the $Li_2O$ addition and pre-heat-treatment could improve the formability of $FeS_2$ raw materials.
