[phillyj]

I took apart a battery so I could use the rods for some simple electrolysis (I was very careful and took all precautions ) I thought the rod would be made of carbon and thus would be black. But the material was a very light sky-blue color? Google did not provide much help. Anyone know what the material is?

Edit: It was a AA standard battery and i found the same material in the AAA size. I believe I have seen carbon rods in size D batteries

[Arkcon]

You have probably disassembled an alkaline battery.  As long ago as ten years ago, I found only alkaline batteries, even in D-cell size.  Back then only lantern batteries had carbon rods.  Carbon rods were more common when I first started dis-assembling batteries, 20 years ago.

[phillyj]

yes, these are alkaline batteries. If they are not carbon, what are they?

[Arkcon]

I dunno, aluminum maybe?  As I recall, they were light.  But they were thin, could have been zinc, or steel?  Soft pencil leads make adequate carbon electrodes, if you need them.

[phillyj]

i know about the graphite in pencils and they are good conductors but the carbon rods were much stronger. This will do fine though.
After scratching a layer off the rod, its metallic so it could be one of the metals you said above

[constant thinker]

Try the lithium lantern batteries. I hear those have carbon rods in them. You can find sources and step by step instructions for disassembling them.

[Arkcon]

Be sure you do read about it first, wikipedia says lithium-ion batteries do use a carbon sponge anode, but they also use elemental lithium, and Co³⁺

[phillyj]

i'm not sure i want to try to open anything with Li. Too risky but this metal is fine, the multimeter registered 3 ohms resistance. What are those carbon rods made of, other than carbon?