Lithium batteries are becoming more and more popular, safety is still an essential criterion . It is often manifested by stability on abuse, including mechanical, electrical, and thermal abuse, and is still a complicated issue involving lithium batteries.Many customers do not know how to use lithium batteries, which leads to battery damage.

In this article, Let's take a look at the events that cause the separator to fail:

1.Thermal Runway

Thermal runaway is a big risk when using and recharging lithium-ion batteries. This occurs through thermal or mechanical failures – such as a battery being overcharged, over-discharged or overheated.  

When this process occurs, it results in high temperatures that produce an exothermic decomposition of the battery cell — which leads to the battery rupturing and creating a thermal explosion. 

There are various causes of overheating, such as overcharging, exposure to over/under temperature, external or internal short circuits. An internal shorting is one of the primary reasons for thermal runaway. 

2. Internal Short Circuits

Rough handling and overcharging can cause internal short circuits. As the battery becomes stuffed with lithium ions, it expands. Too much lithium can mechanically stress the battery and compromise the internal insulation. In some cases, overcharging can result in electron-conducting metallic deposits between the electrodes.

3. Charging Problems

The battery should be charged only at a temperature of +0°C to +45°C. Lithium batteries, when overheated or overcharged, could suffer severe damages like thermal runaway and cell rupture.

Using poorly insulated chargers can damage the battery. If the charger shorts or generates heat near the battery, it can do enough damage to cause failure.

While lithium-ion batteries have built-in protections to stop them from overcharging, using unofficial chargers can damage the battery in the long term.

4.Over discharge

Lithium Iron Phosphate cells will usually have a fully charged voltage level of around 3.65v and a fully discharged voltage of 2.0v.

When the cell voltage drops significantly below the cut-off voltage. In itself, this phenomenon does not lead to any safety problems. However, it slowly destroys the cell’s performance, which can also cause the battery to swell under certain circumstances.

Over-discharge will cause the decomposition of SEIs on the anode and copper foil oxidation.

5. Low-quality components

Using low-quality components is one of the highest causes of battery failures. Increasing competition is driving the prices of batteries down, causing battery manufacturers to cut corners where they shouldn’t. The cells and battery management system is critical to battery safety and performance. Many suppliers use cheap BMS by skimping on poor quality electronics , the risk of battery failure increases.

The battery management system is critical to battery safety and performance. It protects the battery pack from operating outside of its safe operating area.

6.Abnormal or Improper Usage

External factors like keeping the battery very close to a heat source or near a fire can cause it to explode. Penetrating the battery pack either deliberately or through an accident is bound to cause a short circuit and the battery to catch fire. Users are advised to only get the batteries checked and repaired from the car maker’s authorized service centers. Even high-voltage charging or excessive discharging of the battery could damage it.

Here are simple steps to keep your Lithium batteries safe:

1.Don’t place charging batteries on anything that could catch fire, including soft combustible furniture 

2.Don’t expose your batteries to fire or excessive heat or allow them to get wet. 

3.Store them at room temperature and away from direct sunlight

4.Don’t carry or store batteries with metal items to prevent short circuiting between the battery terminals

5.Protect your battery from strong impacts or sharp objects – for example don’t drop them or carry them with other items inside a toolbox. It might not be obvious, but this could damage the protective circuits or dividers within the battery

6.Ensure you install the battery correctly (don’t reverse the polarity)

7.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use ,and use proper charger for your battery,only use the batteries and equipment (including chargers) provided by your supplier. Third party batteries or chargers could be of a lower quality, lack safety features or cause overcharging.

If you are looking for a higher quality product or any technical support,please feel free to contact with us Bella@osnpower.com or service@osnpower.com.