Thermal and Mechanical Safety Assessment of Type 21700 Lithium-Ion Batteries with NMC, NCA and LFP Cathodes-Investigation of Cell Abuse by Means of Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC)

In this experimental investigation, we studied the safety and thermal runaway behavior of commercial lithium-ion batteries of type 21700. The different cathode materials NMC, NCA and LFP were compared, as well as high power and high energy cells. After characterization of all relevant components of the batteries to assure comparability, two abuse methods were applied: thermal abuse by the heat-wait-seek test and mechanical abuse by nail penetration, both in an accelerating rate calorimeter. Several critical temperatures and temperature rates, as well as exothermal data, were determined. Furthermore, the grade of destruction, mass loss and, for the thermal abuse scenario, activation energy and enthalpy, were calculated for critical points. It was found that NMC cells reacted first, but NCA cells went into thermal runaway a little earlier than NMC cells. LFP cells reacted, as expected, more slowly and at significantly higher temperatures, making the cell chemistry considerably safer. For mechanical abuse, no thermal runaway was observed for LFP cells, as well as at state of charge (SOC) zero for the other chemistries tested. For thermal abuse, at SOC 0 and SOC 30 for LFP cells and at SOC 0 for the other cell chemistries, no thermal runaway occurred until 350 degrees C. In this study, the experimental data are provided for further simulation approaches and system safety design.

Automated summary

In this experimental investigation, the safety and thermal runaway behavior of commercial lithium-ion batteries of type 21700 were studied. Different cathode materials and cell types were compared. Thermal and mechanical abuse tests were conducted to determine critical temperatures, mass loss, and activation energy. It was found that LFP cells exhibited slower reactions and higher temperatures, making them safer. The experimental data provided in this study can be used for simulation approaches and system safety design.