What happens when you puncture a lithium-ion battery?

What happens when you pierce a lithium-ion battery?

No matter what shape the Lithium-ion batteries come in, they all have the same chemical composition inside. They are designed to deliver high output power with minimal weight and size. Since Li-ion batteries are designed to be extremely lightweight, its components are composed of thin partitions between the cells and a thin outer covering. Lithium as an element is a highly reactive one. Since the partitions or coating are very fragile. That is why if the battery is punctured the battery will spontaneously ignite. That is because when a Li-ion battery is punctured a short circuit occurs. This produces a spark, which ignites the highly reactive Lithium inside. Add to that the exposure to Oxygen in the air, which will make things worse.

What do you do with a punctured a lithium-ion battery?

As mentioned before, when a lithium ion battery is punctured and exposed to the Oxygen in the air, it will burst in flames or even explode. That is why punctured Li-ion batteries have to be disposed of in proper manners as follows:

· As soon as possible remove the battery from the device it is connected to

· Do not use the battery under any circumstances.

· Once a lithium ion battery is punctured move it to an open space away from any flammable objects.

· Submerge the battery into a water tub filled with salt. Add a half cup of salt to each one gallon of water.

· Keep the battery submerged into the salted water for a few days; the salt in the water will discharge the battery completely, which will make it safe to be moved.

· Deposit the battery in a battery collection facility. You can also send the battery to a recycling center or a hazards waste managing center.

· Do not under any circumstances throw the battery into the trash.

Once a Lithium-ion battery is punctured, the entire electrolyte present inside of it dries out immediately. This is what causes short circuits and makes the battery catch fire. Please note that unless the battery is discharged completely via salt water as mentioned above, it is completely dangerous to leave it in confined spaces or un attended, as it may explode at any second causing catastrophic results.

What are the hazards of puncturing lithium-ion batteries?

Since Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, the incidents involving lithium battery exploding and fires are everywhere too. The causes of Lithium battery failure can be overcharge, overheating, short circuit, internal cell failure, manufacturing deficiencies (as previously happened with Samsung), and puncture.

We are approaching holiday season, and it is better to remind ourselves that Lithium-ion batteries can be very dangerous. That is why never purchase any gift containing Li-ion batteries from unknown manufacturers. Do you remember when there was a problem with Amazon Hoverboards, and they suspended the sales of them? That problem was because of the usage of low-quality Li-ion batteries. The batteries were punctured during usage, which resulted in the accidents we have heard about.

When you puncture a Lithium-ion battery you risk the following things:

· If the battery is charged or even partially charged, puncturing it will result in a short circuit.

· This short circuit will cause the battery to discharge all at once.

· The discharge happens at an enormous current.

· This will lead to sparks and overheating of the battery significantly.

· The electrolyte inside the Li-ion battery contains flammable materials alongside the very reactive Lithium itself.

· Those flammable materials will catch fire, resulting in an explosion of the device.

· If the punctured battery is discharged from the beginning, the electrolyte inside contains toxic materials, which will come out in the shape of fumes that can have deadly effects on people present.

· These fumes may cause respiratory diseases, eye irritation, skin rashes, and other health issues. If anyone got exposed to these fumes, they must head at once to the hospital to be checked.

If a Li-ion is punctured while in the presence of other flammable objects near it, it could be a catastrophic event.

If you find a Li-ion battery punctured or leaking, it is recommended that you tape that area to minimize the harm it could do, and then do the previously mentioned steps on how to dispose of a punctured battery.

When charging a Li-ion battery, use the designated charger as using otherwise may cause the temperature to rise to the point a puncture happens in the battery.