Batteries are an integral part of modern life, powering everything from our mobile devices to electric cars. However, their operation and safety are often taken for granted. One critical safety feature of batteries that is often overlooked is the tab. In this article, we will explore the importance of tabs in preventing cell failure and increasing battery safety.
Overcharging a battery can cause it to catch fire and destroy homes and businesses. This is due to the increased generation of heat which can cause the electrolyte to degrade and produce gas, making the pouch swell. The adhesion strength of the polymer sealant to the metal tab is critical in containing the pressurised electrolyte. If the tab cannot withstand the forces imparted on it by the pressurised pouch, then it will leak flammable electrolyte that may be ignited by the increased temperature.
To ensure that tabs can withstand the required forces, extensive testing is performed to characterise the peel strength of the polymer sealant component of the tab design. At ABM, the peel strength of the tab is beyond the threshold value that a cell manufacturer will specify. ABM strives to provide higher levels of safety for exceptional instances of cell operation. Part of their research and development efforts focus on achieving peel results beyond industry standards to increase battery safety and longevity.
Swelling of batteries can occur due to various reasons such as overcharging, overheating, battery aging, or exposure to moisture. In all cases, the swelling increases the force incident at the weakest point of the pouch cell, the tab. Therefore, it is critical that the tab seal is strong enough to withstand the forces introduced by swelling and contain the dangerous electrolyte contents. Overheating a lithium-ion pouch cell can also have severe consequences such as capacity loss, swelling, and thermal runaway, where the battery releases large amounts of heat leading to swelling and fires. Containing the gases and dissipating heat away from the cell is a function of a well- performing tab, aiding in the prevention of thermal runaway.
ABM aims to produce tabs that are beyond the minimum peel strength required by most cell manufacturers. Their tabs are made of highly thermally conductive materials that dissipate thermal energy introduced by overcharging, exposure to high temperatures, and thermal runaway. In conclusion, tabs are a critical safety feature in batteries that prevent cell failure and increase battery safety. ABM’s extensive research and development efforts focus on producing tabs that are beyond industry standards to increase battery safety and longevity. By understanding the importance of tabs, we can ensure that batteries are operated safely and efficiently, minimising the risk of catastrophic failure.
To learn more about ABM and their battery tabs, visit www.avocetbattery.com