What are the common safety standards for lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are complex electrochemical and mechanical systems and are the subject of dozens of international safety standards. In this frequently asked questions section, we will discuss the key environmental aspects of LIB safety, review the common safety standards for lithium-ion batteries, and consider using custom battery test rooms to ensure the safety of testers.

Many safety issues with LiBs are due to the fact that these devices are sensitive to voltage and temperature. Figure 1 shows the behavior of Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 (NCM) batteries. In this example, the battery is specified to operate within a temperature range of -30 to 55°C.

At temperatures above 55°C(up to approximately 80°C), the battery exhibits better rate capacity, which is attributed to faster electrochemical reactions and rapid ion migration of the electrolyte and electrodes. In this case, the side reactions become severe, leading to a rapid decline in capacity. At temperatures above 80°C, batteries start to be damaged. Any temperature above 130°C will cause the components of the battery to melt and may lead to a fire.

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are complex electrochemical and mechanical systems and are the subject of dozens of international safety standards. In this frequently asked questions section, we will discuss the key environmental aspects of LIB safety, review the common safety standards for lithium-ion batteries, and consider using custom battery test rooms to ensure the safety of testers.

At temperatures above 55°C(up to approximately 80°C), the battery exhibits better rate capacity, which is attributed to faster electrochemical reactions and rapid ion migration of the electrolyte and electrodes. In this case, the side reactions become severe, leading to a rapid decline in capacity. At temperatures above 80°C, batteries start to be damaged. Any temperature above 130°C will cause the components of the battery to melt and may lead to a fire.

Low temperatures can lead to poor battery performance and may cause damage, but they usually do not pose a safety hazard. However, overcharging (excessively high voltage) can lead to cathode decomposition and electrolyte oxidation, which is a safety issue. Over-discharge (low voltage) can cause the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the anode to decompose and may lead to the oxidation of the copper foil, further damaging the battery.

In addition to operational and environmental issues related to voltage and temperature, mechanical damage may also cause safety problems with the LIB. In view of these concerns, the security standards for LIB are equally extensive.

The five common safety standards for lithium-ion batteries are:

1. IEC62133

2. UN/DOT38.3

3. IEC62619

4. UL1642

5. UL2580

IEC62133 is a safety testing standard for lithium-ion batteries and batteries, which sets safety requirements for testing secondary batteries and batteries containing alkaline or non-acidic electrolytes. It is used to test LiBs used in portable electronic products and other applications. IEC 62133 addresses chemical and electrical hazards that may threaten consumers and the environment, as well as mechanical issues such as vibration and shock.

UN/DOT38.3(also known as T1-T8 test and UN ST/SG/AC.10/11/ Rev.5) covers all LIB, lithium metal batteries and battery transportation safety tests. The testing standards include eight tests (T1 - T8), all of which focus on specific transportation hazards. UN/DOT 38.3 is a self-certification standard that does not require independent third-party testing, but it is common to use third-party testing laboratories to reduce litigation risks in the event of an accident.

1.UN3090 lithium metal battery, transported as a component

2. UN3480, LIB, are transported as components

3. UN3091, lithium metal batteries transported in the equipment or packaged together with the equipment

4. UN3481, LIB is transported in the equipment or packaged together with the equipment.