EXPLOSION OF LITHIUM BATTERIES - When you travel you'll have all your electronic items in one bag. This is unavoidable because the batteries have to be in your carry-on, but usually, you can keep some space between battery-containing items. Although having lithium ion batteries in close proximity does not increase the risk of a fire, if there is an accident, the other batteries can catch fire and make the situation worse. Avoid overcharging your batteries. Car chargers are notorious for overcharging batteries. Using any charger other than the one intended for the battery can increase risk of damage.

 Lithium-ion batteries, such as this laptop battery, pack considerable energy into a compact, lightweight space.
The batteries are very safe, but certain conditions can trigger an explosion or fire.

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Lithium Batteries

Why Lithium Batteries Catch Fire

Fire and Explosion Risks of Lithium Ion Batteries

by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Lithium batteries are compact, lightweight batteries that hold considerable charge and fare well under constant discharge-recharge conditions.

The batteries are found everywhere -- in laptop computers, cameras, cell phones, and electric cars.

Although accidents are rare, those that do occur may be spectacular, resulting in an explosion or fire.

In order to understand why these batteries catch fire and how to minimize the risk of an accident, it helps to understand how the batteries function.

How Lithium Batteries Work

A lithium battery consists of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte.

Typically, the batteries transfer electrical charge from a lithium metal cathode through an electrolyte consisting of an organic solvent containing lithium salts over to a carbon anode.

The specifics depend on the battery, but lithium-ion batteries usually contain a metal coil and a flammable lithium-ion fluid. Tiny metal fragments float in the liquid.

The contents of the battery are under pressure, so if a metal fragment punctures a partition that keeps the components separate or the battery is punctured, the lithium reacts with water in the air vigorously, generating high heat and sometimes producing a fire.

Why Lithium Batteries Catch Fire or Explode

Lithium batteries are made deliver a high output with minimal weight.

Battery components are designed to be lightweight, which translates into thin partitions between cells and a thin outer covering.

The partitions or coating are fairly fragile, so they can be punctured. If the battery is damaged, a short occurs. This spark can ignite the highly reactive lithium.

Another possibility is that the battery can heat to the point of thermal runaway. Here, the heat of the contents exerts pressure on the battery, potentially producing an explosion.

How to Minimize the Risk of Fire or Explosion

The risk of fire or explosion increases if the battery is exposed to hot conditions or the battery or internal component is compromised.

You can less the risk of an accident by:

·     Avoiding storing at high temperatures. Don't keep batteries in hot vehicles. Don't allow a blanket to cover your laptop. Don't keep your cell phone in a warm pocket. You get the idea.

·     Avoid keeping all your items containing lithium ion batteries together.

When you travel, especially on a plane, you'll have all your electronic items in one bag.

This is unavoidable because the batteries have to be in your carry-on, but usually, you can keep some space between battery-containing items.

Although having lithium ion batteries in close proximity does not increase the risk of a fire, if there is an accident, the other batteries can catch fire and make the situation worse.

·     Avoid overcharging your batteries. These batteries do not suffer "memory effect" as badly as other types of rechargeable batteries, so they can be discharged and recharged many times nearly back to their original charge.

However, they do not fare well if they are completely drained before recharging or are over-charged.

Car chargers are notorious for overcharging batteries. Using any charger other than the one intended for the battery can increase risk of damage.

 

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.​

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https://www.thoughtco.com/why-lithium-batteries-catch-fire-606814