Lithium batteries are common in everyday devices like phones and tablets, offering powerful performance but also presenting certain risks. Recent incidents, such as the explosion in Lebanon, have reignited concerns about lithium battery safety. This article explores whether lithium batteries can cause explosions and how to prevent them.
Causes of Lithium Battery Explosions
Most lithium battery failures are caused by short circuits or overcharging. Proper usage can extend battery life and reduce risks. When short circuits occur, a large current generates local heat, triggering reactions between the negative electrode and electrolyte. If the temperature reaches around 200°C, the crystal structure of the metal oxides in the positive electrode may collapse and release oxygen, further increasing heat production. This process, known as “thermal runaway,” may lead to an explosion.
Is It Normal for Lithium Batteries to Heat Up?
Yes, it is normal for lithium batteries to generate heat during charging and discharging, as chemical reactions inside store or release current. However, temperatures should stay below 60°C. Beyond this, battery performance declines, and extreme temperatures can trigger thermal runaway.
How to Reduce the Risk of Lithium Battery Explosions?
Use batteries with BMS: A Battery Management System (BMS) monitors the battery status, preventing overcharging or excessive discharge. Some BMS systems will cut off the current if temperatures exceed safe limits.
Avoid modified batteries: The best option for replacing a battery is to use the original manufacturer’s version, as modified batteries may present risks like leakage or voltage mismatches.
Purchase certified batteries: Certified batteries must pass safety checks before being released to the market, reducing the likelihood of failures. Ensure the batteries comply with your local regulations.
Replace aging batteries: Over time, lithium batteries degrade and may develop lithium dendrites, which can cause internal short circuits and excessive heat. If these dendrites accumulate, they can cause a battery explosion.
Work with reputable manufacturers: Companies like PKNERGY, with 20 years of experience, ensure that their batteries are rigorously tested to minimize explosion risks.
How to check lithium batteries?
Check the appearance of the battery
Inspecting lithium batteries from the appearance is one of the most effective methods. For example, the swelling of lithium polymer batteries and the dents of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries are all signs before danger occurs.
Check the voltage of the battery.
For batteries that have not been used for a long time, you can use a multimeter to carefully check the battery voltage to ensure that they are all within the safe range. Taking the ternary battery with nickel cobalt manganese oxide and graphite negative electrode as an example, when the battery charging voltage is higher than 4.2V, danger will also come quietly. The higher the voltage, the higher the danger. Because when the voltage is higher than 4.2V, the number of lithium atoms in the positive electrode material decreases. If you continue to charge, lithium ions will react with electrons on the surface of the negative electrode to generate lithium metal, that is, dendrites. These dendrites will pierce the diaphragm and short-circuit the positive and negative electrodes. Overcharging will also increase the temperature. When the temperature exceeds 180℃, the electrolyte will decompose, produce a large amount of gas and heat, and the shell will expand. After rupture, oxygen will enter and react violently with lithium metal and explode.
Observe the working status of the battery.
When using a lithium battery, observe whether it produces abnormal temperature and sound. Usually lithium batteries are very quiet when working. When lithium batteries are working normally, the temperature is usually kept between 20°C and 45°C. Within this range, the chemical reaction of the battery is most stable, and the performance and life can be guaranteed. When there is any abnormality, stay alert.
Conclusion
Lithium battery explosions are not common, but they are extremely dangerous. How to recognize the reasons behind them in advance can help us reduce the chances of encountering risks and how to avoid them. If you are looking for a qualified and reliable lithium battery manufacturer, contacting PKNERGY will save you a lot of time.
https://www.pknergy.com/news/why-is-lipo-battery-swollen
Post time: Sep-19-2024