SABIC tests show that phase change thermoplastics have great potential in preventing thermal runaway of electric vehicle batteries.
2024-12-27
The global diversified chemical company Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) recently released test results showing that insulation pad solutions based on thermoplastics have great potential in preventing the spread of battery fires in electric vehicles (EVs). SABIC's secondary system-level series of tests proved that the battery module housing made of the company's STAMAX™ 30YH570 long glass fiber polypropylene (PP) resin, with a thickness of only 1 millimeter between the cells, can serve as an effective thermal barrier solution to prevent the spread of thermal runaway in 18650 cylindrical cells. It has the necessary insulation and flame retardant properties, thus reducing the chance of thermal runaway spreading between cells and lowering the risk of catastrophic safety incidents. When combined with compressible foam, this material also shows significant effectiveness in suppressing the spread of thermal runaway in prismatic and pouch cells.
Before this test, SABIC's STAMAX 30YH570 resin had already undergone independent evaluation. In 2023, the product received the UL certification mark from Underwriters Laboratories for its effective flame retardancy. The evaluation was based on UL 2596, the test method for thermal and mechanical properties of battery enclosure materials, and was conducted using a thermal runaway enclosure.
Fahad Al-Harthi, Global Director of Automotive Business for SABIC's Polymers Division, said: "We are delighted to share that our thermoplastic solutions have once again been validated, demonstrating their significant potential in electric vehicle battery components and systems. Our portfolio of flame-retardant materials, combined with our expertise in application design and the interaction between combustion and polymers, helps to achieve new thermal runaway barrier methods. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the entire automotive value chain to enhance the safety, efficiency and performance of electric vehicle battery systems."
Thermal runaway barrier test
Fifteen commercial 18650 lithium battery cells and eleven 21700 lithium battery cells were respectively enclosed in steel boxes for thermal runaway propagation tests. The former used STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded blocks as thermal insulation pads, while the latter did not use any thermal insulation pads. The initial cell was subjected to thermal abuse by heating it through electrical insulating tape, causing it to start thermal runaway. In the test without a thermal barrier, the electrical and chemical energy stored in the cells was released in the form of high-temperature gas, open flames, high-speed particles, and a sudden increase in pressure inside and outside the test chamber. Due to the uncontrolled heat transfer, thermal runaway immediately spread to all adjacent cells, posing a fire hazard and causing severe damage to the electric vehicle battery pack.
On the contrary, in the test where STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded blocks were used as thermal barriers, the heat transfer and heat spread initiated by the first ignited cell were effectively suppressed, and all the remaining cells remained safe and intact.
This flame-retardant material undergoes phase transitions from solid to liquid and gas, and during severe thermal runaway, it removes heat through latent heat and expansion functions, thus serving as an effective barrier to delay heat transfer and fire spread.
Before this test, SABIC's STAMAX 30YH570 resin had already undergone independent evaluation. In 2023, the product received the UL certification mark from Underwriters Laboratories for its effective flame retardancy. The evaluation was based on UL 2596, the test method for thermal and mechanical properties of battery enclosure materials, and was conducted using a thermal runaway enclosure.
Fahad Al-Harthi, Global Director of Automotive Business for SABIC's Polymers Division, said: "We are delighted to share that our thermoplastic solutions have once again been validated, demonstrating their significant potential in electric vehicle battery components and systems. Our portfolio of flame-retardant materials, combined with our expertise in application design and the interaction between combustion and polymers, helps to achieve new thermal runaway barrier methods. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the entire automotive value chain to enhance the safety, efficiency and performance of electric vehicle battery systems."
Thermal runaway barrier test
Fifteen commercial 18650 lithium battery cells and eleven 21700 lithium battery cells were respectively enclosed in steel boxes for thermal runaway propagation tests. The former used STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded blocks as thermal insulation pads, while the latter did not use any thermal insulation pads. The initial cell was subjected to thermal abuse by heating it through electrical insulating tape, causing it to start thermal runaway. In the test without a thermal barrier, the electrical and chemical energy stored in the cells was released in the form of high-temperature gas, open flames, high-speed particles, and a sudden increase in pressure inside and outside the test chamber. Due to the uncontrolled heat transfer, thermal runaway immediately spread to all adjacent cells, posing a fire hazard and causing severe damage to the electric vehicle battery pack.
On the contrary, in the test where STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded blocks were used as thermal barriers, the heat transfer and heat spread initiated by the first ignited cell were effectively suppressed, and all the remaining cells remained safe and intact.
This flame-retardant material undergoes phase transitions from solid to liquid and gas, and during severe thermal runaway, it removes heat through latent heat and expansion functions, thus serving as an effective barrier to delay heat transfer and fire spread.
Evoqua has launched a new recycled TPE product in the Asian market, expanding the application of recycled materials in automobiles.
