Why do lithium batteries catch fire?

It is not uncommon for lithium batteries to cause fires. In fact, not only electric car batteries, but also we use cell phones, tablet computers, new energy vehicles, etc., these machines can run normally are inseparable from the lithium battery.

The emergence of lithium batteries has brought a lot of product innovation, but we must not underestimate it. If the lack of safety awareness, in the use, storage, disposal and other processes of improper disposal, lithium batteries will become a “time bomb”.

Components and structure are inevitable to talk about. According to the different lithium forms in lithium batteries, lithium batteries can be divided into two categories: lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Lithium metal batteries use lithium metal as an electrode to generate electrical energy through the corrosion or oxidation of lithium metal. The most common form of lithium metal battery is the button cell, which is mainly used in devices such as computer boards or car keys. Lithium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that relies on lithium ions embedding and de-embedding back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes to achieve charging and discharging. When charging, the positive electrode of LI+charge is de-embedded, the negative electrode is embedded in the electrolyte, and the negative electrode is in a lithium-rich state. The opposite is true when discharging.

Improper handle

First of all, the lithium battery is a key component of the e-bike. Even if the quality is qualified, lithium batteries can cause fire accidents if used improperly. For example, “some owners modify the control system of the battery and motor to increase speed and range. This situation will bring some hidden danger to the original wiring, which is also an important cause of fire accidents.”

Unrivaled chargers

Secondly, charging for too long with a non-original charger or an original charger with a failed overcharging protection device can cause the battery to heat up and bulge, or even lead to a fire or explosion.

Failure to maintain in time

In addition, e-bikes can catch fire if they are used for too long. If the lithium-ion battery is not properly used and maintained, the connecting wires in the car are easy to age and loosen, which can easily lead to leakage and poor contact. Once short-circuited, it is easy to ignite the wires, seats, connectors and surrounding combustible materials. The lithium-ion battery of the e-bike may also encounter the influence of some external factors, such as impact, puncture, short circuit, etc., which will produce safety problems and, in extreme cases, affect the stability of the battery. batteries, and then deflagration occurs.

Lithium-ion safe use standards

Generally speaking, the safety problems of lithium-ion batteries are mainly manifested in combustion and even explosion. The root cause of these problems lies in the thermal runaway inside the battery. After the thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries, the decomposition of combustible gases mixed with air to form an explosive gas mixture. When encountered with lithium-ion battery spewing high temperature particles, will occur in the local space deflagration, resulting in the early stages of the fire is often accompanied by the sound of an explosion. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the use of electric vehicles in life:

√ Charge with an original brand charger with good performance, and keep away from flammable and explosive objects when charging.

√Do not disassemble the charger without authorization and do not cover the charger case to ensure ventilation and heat dissipation.

√ Beware of rain, water, humidity or excessive temperature changes inside the charger.

√ Riding in an area where the water depth exceeds the center axis of the motor on a rainy day can easily lead to water ingress into the motor, which is a safety risk.

How harmful are substandard quality and counterfeit products?

According to the General Administration of Market Supervision (GAMS), in 2022, GAMS organized a national supervision and sampling inspection of the product quality of electric bicycles and electric bicycle batteries. A total of 295 batches of products produced by 262 enterprises were sampled, and 62 batches of unqualified products were found, with a sampling failure rate of 21. 0%. The use of unqualified e-bike batteries is prone to overcharge, short circuit protection, shell flame retardant and other problems, there are risks of electric shock, fire, explosion and so on.

The emergence of lithium batteries has brought a lot of product innovation, but you must not “underestimate” it. If the lack of safety awareness, use, storage, disposal and other aspects of improper handling, lithium batteries may become a “time bomb”. “Please do not discard discarded e-bike batteries, please contact a professional organization to deal with.

Will lithium batteries catch fire when not in use?

No. Generally speaking, the probability of a lithium battery catching fire is small. However, compared with old nickel-based batteries and batteries made of other materials, lithium batteries have a higher chance of catching fire. From the point of view of the total application of lithium batteries and the amount of fires, in fact, the probability of lithium batteries catching fire is not high. Moreover, in order to avoid the problem of lithium batteries catching fire in the process of use, the manufacturers have additionally set up a pressure relief valve, and the shell is made of strong materials. When the internal structure of lithium batteries have problems, the vaporized gas will first be discharged through the pressure relief valve, the expansion force is usually borne by the shell. This is the reason why most lithium batteries are often found in bulging packs without spontaneous combustion or explosion.

Safety Tips: Please pay attention to the safety of using electric bicycle batteries!

Please purchase e-bikes and their batteries that meet quality standards and standardize the use of e-bikes. If you need to replace the battery of your e-bike, please choose to buy it from the original manufacturer and perform regular maintenance and repair. If you use it improperly or purchase counterfeit or shoddy products, fire accidents may occur. Once a lithium battery burns, it will quickly ignite the surrounding combustible materials and be accompanied by explosion, high temperature smoke and toxic fumes.

For your safety and the safety of others, please do this:

Regulate the use of electric bicycles and their batteries! Do not bring your e-bike and its battery into a confined space! Prevention is better than cure! Don't let “electric donkey” become “bomb”!