Open Access

Jonas Krug von Nidda

• Next to performance features, safety aspects of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a crucial research field. The abuse/misuse of a LIB can trigger a chain of exothermic reactions on cell level. Hence, the cell temperature increases dramatically, causing the so-called thermal runaway (TR). Moreover, the TR of one cell can initiate the TR of adjacent cells leading to a TR-propagation. Due to the risk of a TR, special measures need to be applied while handling, storing, and transporting batteries. According to current transport regulations, all different types of lithium-ion and lithium metal cells/batteries (by means of cell format, cathode chemistry, etc.) require the same transport conditions regardless of the intensity of their reaction during abuse tests. To allow more differentiated transport requirements, the United Nations (UN) Subcommittee Transport of Dangerous Goods created an Informal Working Group (IWG) on the topic of a hazard-based classification of LIBs. BAM is one of nineNext to performance features, safety aspects of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a crucial research field. The abuse/misuse of a LIB can trigger a chain of exothermic reactions on cell level. Hence, the cell temperature increases dramatically, causing the so-called thermal runaway (TR). Moreover, the TR of one cell can initiate the TR of adjacent cells leading to a TR-propagation. Due to the risk of a TR, special measures need to be applied while handling, storing, and transporting batteries. According to current transport regulations, all different types of lithium-ion and lithium metal cells/batteries (by means of cell format, cathode chemistry, etc.) require the same transport conditions regardless of the intensity of their reaction during abuse tests. To allow more differentiated transport requirements, the United Nations (UN) Subcommittee Transport of Dangerous Goods created an Informal Working Group (IWG) on the topic of a hazard-based classification of LIBs. BAM is one of nine laboratories working on the development of a respective classification scheme including appendant test protocols. Herein, we discuss the latest results of our safety tests on commercial LIB-cells employing the test protocols developed in the UN-IWG. Single cell tests are analysed regarding different hazardous features during the TR, e.g., cell temperature, flame occurrence, and gas amount. Next to the general occurrence of a propagation, the propagation speed is analysed by propagation tests. In total, the presented results are gathered from over 200 tests. Next to the classification of the tested cells, the data set obtained is analysed in respect to the cells’ key features, such as cell energy, state of charge and cathode type. Generally, the presented results can increase the overall understanding of the TR-mechanism supporting the design of advanced safety measures on cell level in the future.…