At CRITT M2A, we have developed advanced testing solutions to evaluate cell swelling, a crucial phenomenon that impacts the performance, durability, and safety of battery cells. With our state-of-the-art equipment, we simulate thermal and electrical stress conditions representative of real-world use cases these cells will face throughout their lifecycle in a module or pack.
Our expertise in cell swelling tests includes:
• Implementing and calibrating advanced instrumentation solutions.
• Evaluating swelling under pre-load and consistent mechanical stiffness.
• Synchronized measurement of essential physical parameters: force, deformation, temperature, cell voltage, and charging currents.
Why are these tests critical?
It has been proven that an appropriate initial pre-load and the rigidity of the module/pack environment can extend the lifespan of a cell by allowing it to "breathe." If cell swelling is not monitored and controlled throughout its lifecycle, it can lead to premature capacity degradation and, in some cases, excessive internal stress that may cause thermal runaway.
A dimensional challenge:
The charge-discharge cycle, temperature, initial external pressure, and mechanical properties of the cell and module/pack all influence the degree of swelling and continuously interact. Therefore, optimizing the initial pressure and using a representative test setup for the stiffness of battery module and pack structures are crucial factors for manufacturers to consider from the very first cell tests.
