What causes Li ion batteries to swell?
What causes batteries to swell? They are the result of too much current inside a cell of the battery, which causes a build-up of heat and gas. This can be caused by overcharging, manufacturer defect, deep discharge, or damage to the battery.
Can a discharged swollen battery explode?
A SWOLLEN LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MAY CATCH FIRE OR EXPLODE. Removing a swollen battery can be hazardous, but leaving a swollen battery inside a device also poses risks. To prevent potential device and bodily harm, a device should not operate with a swollen battery.
Should you discharge swollen battery?
To prevent possible further damage to the device enclosure or internal components leading to malfunction, discontinue the use of the laptop and discharge it by disconnecting the AC adapter and letting the battery drain. Swollen batteries should not be used and should be replaced and disposed of properly.
Why do lithium ion batteries swell when charged?
Lithium-ion cells can swell due to many reasons, but somehow the issue of deep discharge swelling and the related hazards with charging such a battery seem to be widely underestimated. Common causes of battery swelling include:
Is it dangerous to have a swollen battery?
A swollen battery might seem like a minor problem, but it can be quite dangerous. Lithium-ion batteries are the darlings of modern technology but, like anything, there are pros and cons.
What causes outgassing and swelling in a battery?
Additionally, if the battery’s internal layers do not maintain proper separation (due to damage or defect), outgassing, swelling, and even fire can occur. Swelling is the result of particulates getting caught in between the layers of the battery and eventually puncturing the membrane that separate the layers.
What happens when a battery is deep discharged?
When the battery is deep discharged, the protective passivation layer on the anode called the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer decomposes, with new electrode and electrolyte surfaces coming in contact and new SEI layer is formed. All of these reactions lead to gas formation.