In the new energy vehicle industry, lithium batteries are core energy storage devices, but their chemical properties make them likely to experience thermal runaway under extreme temperatures or operating conditions. Thermal runaway refers to the loss of control of internal chemical reactions in the case of overheating, short circuit or mechanical damage, resulting in a sharp rise in temperature and possible fire or explosion. Conducting thermal runaway tests has the following important significance:
1 Evaluate battery safety
The thermal runaway test verifies the stability and tolerance of batteries in harsh environments by simulating extreme conditions (such as high temperature, overcharge, overdischarge, etc.) to ensure the safety performance of products under extreme conditions.
2 Optimize battery design
Through the experimental results, engineers can find potential defects in battery design (such as uneven heat diffusion and insufficient material stability) to improve the cell structure, select higher performance materials, and enhance the thermal management capabilities of batteries.
3 Meet regulatory requirements
Many regions around the world have formulated strict regulations on the safety of lithium batteries. Thermal runaway tests are an important part of testing and certification to ensure that products meet market access standards.
4 Prevent accident risks
By studying the performance of batteries in an out-of-control state, engineers can predict potential risks and design effective protective measures to reduce safety accidents caused by battery thermal runaway.
Then why we choose mica heaters
In thermal runaway experiments, mica heaters are ideal heating equipment due to their unique performance characteristics. The following are the advantages of mica heaters in this scenario:
1 Excellent high temperature capability
Mica heaters can work stably in high temperature environments above 500°C, while the critical temperature of thermal runaway of lithium batteries is usually between 200°C and 300°C. Mica heaters can easily meet the high temperature conditions required for experiments.
2 Uniform heating
Mica heaters provide uniform heat distribution, ensuring that every part of the battery sample can be evenly heated, which is crucial for simulating the actual performance of batteries under high temperature conditions.
3 Excellent thermal responsiveness
Mica heaters have the ability to quickly heat up and cool down, can flexibly adjust experimental conditions, accurately control temperature changes, and meet complex experimental needs.
4 High insulation performance
The mica material itself has excellent electrical insulation properties, ensuring that there will be no leakage during the heating process, thereby improving the safety of the experiment.
5 Chemical corrosion resistance
Volatile chemicals may exist in the experimental environment. The material properties of mica heaters make them highly resistant to these substances, extending the service life of the equipment.
6 Design flexibility
Mica heaters can be designed into various shapes and sizes according to experimental requirements, adapting to different lithium battery samples and experimental devices, and providing more flexible experimental solutions.
7 Economic efficiency and reliability
Compared with other high-temperature heating equipment, mica heaters have more advantages in cost, and at the same time have a longer service life and lower maintenance requirements, making them a cost-effective choice.
Thus, the thermal runaway experiment of lithium batteries is a key link in product design, testing and safety assessment in the new energy vehicle industry. It can help engineers optimize battery design, improve safety performance, and meet market and regulatory requirements. The mica heater has become an ideal heating solution for such experiments with its excellent high temperature capability, uniform heating characteristics, and safety and reliability. Choosing a mica heater not only ensures the accuracy and stability of the experiment, but also reduces the operating and maintenance costs, providing a reliable guarantee for the smooth implementation of the thermal runaway experiment.