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Most lithium ion batteries contain mixtures of liquid organic carbonates as electrolytes. They range from moderately to very flammable. Here's some vendor infor
by philipkglass 5y ago
Most lithium ion batteries contain mixtures of liquid organic carbonates as electrolytes. They range from moderately to very flammable. Here's some vendor information on dimethyl carbonate, one of the more flammable electrolyte components:
https://smc-global.com/dimethyl-carbonate/ https://smc-global.com/dimethyl-carbonate/
https://smc-global.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/M3574_DIMETHYL_CARBONATE_616-38-6_GHS_01262021.pdf https://smc-global.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/M3574_DIME...
These liquids can burn regardless of the battery state of charge.
- userbinator 5y agoIncidentally, besides the flammability, the electrolyte is otherwise quite harmless. It's comparable to ether, alcohol, or acetone.
- snovv_crash 5y agoThere are other components in the battery which are both toxic and corrosive to electronics. Please be careful of any broken batteries and if there is a fire don't breath the fumes!
- ajross 5y agoThis is true, but pretty badly misstating the risk analysis. Lithium electrolytes are, on the whole, "flammable" in exactly the same way that things like grain shipments are flammable. It's a real risk, and requires engineering to address. They aren't remotely "dangerous" materials.
- hermitdev 5y agoSort of like how a transformer explosion is typically a lot worse due to the oil used to cool larger transformers. The oil is great because it allows for heat transfer well, fits into all the nooks and crannies and isn't conductive to electricity. But, the oil is still flammable. And then, trying to put out the flames, the combination of electricity and oil makes using water a very bad idea.