Failure Analysis of Lithium-Aluminum/Iron Sulfide Cells

摘要

Post-test examinations were an integral part of the Li-alloy/FeS battery development program at Argonne National Laboratory. Important functions of post-test examinations were to determine the causes of cell failure and to provide recommendations on cell design and assembly techniques that would eliminate these failure modes. Cell failure was generally indicated by a sharp decline in the coulombic efficiency, which is the manifestation of an electrical short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes. Combinations of macroscopic and microscopic examinations were utilized to identify the source and cause of the short circuits. A special metallographic glovebox facility with a helium atmosphere was constructed for these examinations. Cell failure analysis was conducted on bicells (<100-Ah capacity) from the early cell development program and on multiplate cells (about 200- and 400-Ah capacity) from the Mark IA and Mark II battery development programs. Results of the cell failure analysis for the bicell (approx.163 cells) and for the Mark IA multiplate cells are briefly summarized here. (ERA citation 11:047751)