A new composite powder composed of hydrogen storage alloy and electrolytic copper powders was prepared by the use of mechano-fusion system. The composite powder was almost spherical and had porous surface with particle diameters from 10 to 50μm . Discharge capacites of electrodes using this composite powder were larger than those using mixed powders prepared by the conventional process, and increased by the addition of small amounts of cuprous oxide powder and cobalt powder in the preparation process of the powder.
Addition of a small quantity of oxidation-protective agents to the powder was effective for preventing the composite powder from oxidation. The powder was produced even in an atmospheric condition when the oxidation-protective agents was added. It has been found that this new copper-alloy composite powder can be used for improving of discharge capacities of hydrogen storage alloy anodes.