Today, lithium-ion batteries are found in many electronics, from smartphones to medical devices to cars. They provide reliable power with recharging capabilities. However, the popularity of this type of battery requires knowledge of what to do in the event of a lithium battery fire. Specializing in thermal-resistant materials, woven fabrics, and non-woven fabrics, Tex Tech is an industry expert in handling this type of hazard., Tex Tech is an industry expert in handling this type of hazard.
Learn the risks related to lithium batteries, how to prevent a fire, and what to do to put out a lithium battery fire.
Why Do Lithium Batteries Catch Fire?
If a lithium battery overheats, it can burst into flames. This thermal instability, referred to as thermal runaway, happens when flaming gases are vented from the lithium-ion cells in the battery. The overheating of one failing cell causes a chain reaction in the other cells. The reaction can happen within milliseconds to hours, depending on how quickly each cell fails. The exothermic heat given off during the reaction may be sufficient to start a fire.
Triggers for lithium battery fires include:
Short circuits. Improper storage, damage, and metal dust left over from manufacturing can cause circuits to short, leading to combustion.
Overheating. Extreme temperatures on loading docks, cargo holds, or tarmacs can lead to overheating or fire during transit or storage.
Rough handling. Dropping a battery or jostling it excessively during transport or use can set off thermal runaway.
Physical damage. Damage from shredding or dismantling a battery during recycling operations can result in an explosion.
Wet/humid conditions. Rainwater, salty air, and humidity might cause short circuits and trigger thermal runaway even without prior damage to the battery.
How to Put Out a Lithium Battery Fire
In the case of a lithium battery fire, there are several ways to extinguish it based on the size and type of battery.
Class D fire extinguishers are effective against lithium-metal battery fires. Lithium-ion battery fires are Class B fires, indicating the presence of flammable liquids, so a standard dry chemical or ABC extinguisher can put them out. Lithium battery fire extinguishers counteract the liquid electrolytes in the battery that create conductive pathways.
Small lithium batteries contain very little lithium, so they can be doused with water. To put out large lithium-ion battery fires, use a foam extinguisher containing CO2, powder graphite, ABC dry chemical, or sodium carbonate.
In battery pack fires, each cell may burn on a different timeline. Place the battery pack in a protected outdoor space to allow it to completely burn out.
If a fire cannot be extinguished, let the battery burn out in a controlled way. Prevent the fire from spreading by soaking the surrounding area with water.
How to Prevent a Lithium Battery Fire
Recognizing the warning signs of a failing lithium battery is paramount to preventing a fire. Unusual heat, noise, smoke, odor, or swelling are all indications that the battery is failing.
Follow these tips to prevent a lithium battery fire from taking place.
Buy batteries from reputable manufacturers.
Never try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
Once a charging cycle is complete, disconnect the battery from the charger.
Use the charger that came with the battery or one approved as compatible by the manufacturer.
Keep batteries away from extreme temperatures.
Charge batteries in a fire-safe charging bag, if possible.
Inspect batteries after they are first installed and periodically after recharging. If they appear damaged, do not recharge.
Remove lithium-ion batteries from items before storage.
If a charging device emits excessive heat, unplug it from the power source and store it away from combustible objects until the device has cooled down. If necessary, replace the battery or call the fire department.
Choose Tex Tech for Lithium Battery Fire Safety
Lithium-ion batteries allow us many conveniences. To use these power supplies responsibly, we should be aware of how to prevent and put out lithium-ion battery fires. Though these events are rare, it is best to be prepared.
CoreFX is a cutting-edge, flame-retardant fabric solution for multilayer garments. It ensures advanced fire protection using a comfortable and lightweight material, helping firefighters stay safe and more agile on the job. Our advanced materials technology combines a 44% Kermel fiber with 55% para-aramid core and 1% antistatic material to drastically reduce the danger of fire and explosion hazards for those who need it most.
Properties and Performance of CoreFX Fire & Heat-Resistant Fabric
The Kermel fiber with para-aramid core withstands temperatures of up to 1000° C/1800° F, and in double flashover testing, the Kermel CoreFX equipment endured eight seconds without breaking open, leaving no third-degree burns.
This advanced, protective fire-retardant clothing meets or exceeds numerous technical industry design standards for protective firefighting equipment, including:
EN-ISO 11612 – Flexible flame and heat protection
EN 1149-5 – Electrostatic discharge prevention
EN 469 – Firefighting PPE standards
ISO 13934-1 – Tensile strength > 2400 N warp/weft
ISO 13937-2 – Tear strength > 270 warp/weft
ISO 12947-2 – Abrasion resistance, lasting more than 50,000 cycles
The Kermel CoreFX fabric is also incredibly comfortable, weighing less than 200 grams per square meter, allowing firefighters to move quickly with reduced fatigue.
An Economical Solution to Fire Fighting Service Needs
CoreFX solves numerous pain points left unaddressed by other brands, and all in a highly affordable, user-friendly solution. While most other brands have high-cost products that are uncomfortable for the wearer, CoreFX garments provide much more comfort with a lightweight design. As a result, firefighters can perform at peak levels while confident they are as protected as they are comfortable.
The CoreFX technology also provides excellent strength and mechanical resistance, as well as resistance to liquid chemicals (per EN-ISO 6530). It also withstands up to a minimum of 25 washes at 40°C.
Benefits of CoreFX
With its competitive price, CoreFX is the premium durable fabric the first responder community has been waiting for. We’ve further improved on the previous para-aramid fabrics to create enhanced UV-blocking properties to reduce degradation and provide a longer material lifespan. Garments worn in regions with longer exposure to UV will see the tear and tensile strength retained for longer with the unique fabric design of CoreFX.
There are also two different durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes available, including:
Panoguard – C6 multi-wash with high-repellency finish
Eco Guard – PFOA/PFOS-free, multi-wash with high-repellency finish
These benefits extend to other high-risk uses as well, such as flight coveralls for pilots and protective suits for soldiers. The result is a new line of protective fabrics that withstand more extreme conditions than any previous alternative.
Choose Tex Tech For Enhanced Protection
Tex Tech is a world leader in the development and production of ultra-high-performance textiles, designed to endure the most intense conditions. We are continually pushing the boundaries on protective fabric technology, and our advanced research and development processes have advanced the field of first-responder equipment numerous times. We’re proud to do so again with our CoreFX Kermel and para-aramid core fabrics.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact Tex Tech Industries or request a quote and one of our highly knowledgeable service technicians will promptly be in touch.
Lithium-ion batteries, or li-ion batteries, are an increasingly popular choice for a variety of commercial and consumer electronics. Today, users find them in everything from smartphones and tablets to electric vehicles. There are three key reasons why li-ion batteries have become so popular:
The batteries are long-lasting and allow for long device use cycles
The batteries can be recharged relatively quickly
Li-ion batteries are light in weight
These positive attributes are quickly making lithium-ion batteries a default option. However, there is a small chance that they could burst into flames.
What Is Thermal Runaway?
Li-ion batteries pose a small risk of bursting into flame because of a phenomenon called thermal runaway. If lithium-ion batteries are heated to a temperature above their maximum threshold, this triggers a sequence of chemical breakdowns in the battery. The chemical breakdowns themselves agitate the situation by rapidly increasing the battery’s temperature. As a result, the battery’s materials can ignite and generate intensely hot flames. The most common causes of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries are:
Internal short-circuiting
External short-circuiting
Both causes can be due to either insufficient battery maintenance or direct physical damage. The risk of thermal runaway is very small, at approximately three packs per million. However, because of the severity of the potential hazard, companies that manufacture or use li-ion batteries need to ensure the problem is satisfactorily eliminated.
Preventing Thermal Runaway in Batteries
Four simple ways manufacturers, suppliers, and users can prevent thermal runaway and sudden fires include:
Don’t Overcharge. When batteries are charged more than they need, this can damage the battery and increase the risk of thermal runaway.
Proper Storage Temperature. If li-ion batteries are stored in hot environments, this can make the batteries more vulnerable to the start of a thermal runaway chain reaction.
Proper Ventilation. When batteries and tangential circuitry overheat, they’re more susceptible to heat damage. Ventilation and air circulation (especially with cool, dry air) can extend the safe lifespan of batteries.
Replace Old Batteries. While li-ion batteries have extended lifespans, they shouldn’t be used indefinitely. Replace and assess old batteries to ensure you’re only using safe batteries in critical or sensitive equipment.
Transporting Li-Ion Batteries
Throughout the supply chain, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers need to follow regulations and best practices while transporting lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, they need to follow Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) rules when transporting li-ion batteries by water, rail, highway, or air.
At Tex Tech, we help transporters follow these rules and requirements with materials such as our Fire Containment Cover (FCC). This cover can lay on palletized cargo, such as containers of li-ion batteries, to starve fires by blocking oxygen from feeding the flames. Freight forwarders, airline operators, and other parties throughout the supply chain can use these covers as a voluntary, supplemental protection to contain and minimize the risk of flame damage and mass thermal runaways. In addition, our materials can be used in the construction of Unit Load Devices (ULD) to provide lithium battery flame protection for these air cargo containers.
Electric Vehicle Fire Risks
While flames from li-ion batteries in consumer electronics are concerning, thermal runaway in li-ion electric car batteries poses a much more severe risk. Firefighters, especially, face unique challenges when they respond to a car accident with an electric car, as the damaged battery may spontaneously ignite and cause severe injuries or death. Not only do li-ion car batteries ignite seemingly spontaneously, but they require a lot of water to put out the flames and can even reignite once the fire has been controlled. At Tex Tech, we’ve developed materials that can contain and help extinguish the flames in minutes. These materials can be used in the construction of the battery box or enclosure and will provide burn-through protection for the vehicle. The materials can also be used in blankets that can contain the toxic fumes, smoke, and flames from a car’s li-ion battery. These systems can be very beneficial for fire departments dealing with a vehicle that keeps reigniting.
Choose Tex Tech for Safer Lithium-Ion Batteries and Solutions
At Tex Tech, we specialize in creating innovative flame-retardant materials for use in the modern consumer, commercial, and industrial world. Our materials can be used during shipping, in aerospace and automotive interiors, and in emergency situations. Contact us today to learn more about our woven and non-woven material solutions, manufacturing capabilities, and custom services. You can also request a quote to get started.
Belcotex manufactures sustainable, environmentally friendly fibers that deliver reliability and versatility in numerous applications. These noncombustible fibers are designed for use with high operating temperatures up to 1050° C. Belcotex’s fibrous materials provide protection, insulation, sealing, filtering, and strengthening.
Tex Tech Industries utilizes Belcotex fibers in our high-end, woven, and nonwoven textiles, selected for the distinct advantages they deliver in a broad range of applications. Our proprietary Tex Tech Woven Style 10089 is composed of Belcotex fibers, providing unmatched benefits in the applications they serve.
About Tex Tech Woven Style 10089
Tex Tech Woven Style 10089 is a high-performance fabric that features quality construction with the following specifications:
100% Belcotex fibers, free from organic binders
Shot-free (Fiber Index 100)
Non-respirable
2×2 basket weave
30×15 warp/picks per inch
Tex Tech Woven Style 10089 features superior thermal properties, with a melting range greater than 1500° C. This fiber is designed for long-term continuous use at temperatures up to 1050° C, making it an ideal selection for a range of high-temperature operations and purposes. Mechanical properties of the Tex Tech Woven Style 10089 include:
Weight of 15.7 OPSY
04” thickness
2% shrinkage at 475° F over two hours
MD breaking strength of 121.67 lbs.
CMD breaking strength of 62 lbs.
7 Mullen burst (lbs./in²)
Superior drapability
Very soft hand
Woven fibers are available for combination with non-woven fibers. Virtually any woven fiber can be used, including popular options such as:
Pre-ox pan
Para-aramids
Meta-aramids
SiO2 fibers
Pre-ox pan and para-aramid spunlace
Applications & Benefits
Tex Tech’s Woven Style 10089 is ideally suited for use in high stakes industries such as:
Aerospace
Defense
Automotive
Industrial/construction
With the use of Belcotex fibers, the Tex Tech Woven Style 10089 delivers distinctive benefits and capabilities.
Protection
Belcotex fibers are used to protect people, capital goods, and the environment. You’ll find these fibers in non-toxic, life-saving systems; fireproof endothermic acoustic insulation and fire blocker; as well as passenger seats on airplanes; efficient automobile emission control; and heat shields and insulation within passenger vehicles.
Insulation
Belcotex fibers are used as insulating materials for the purposes of saving energy and other resources while reducing emissions, supporting efficient emission control within the automotive industry, and in a range of industrial applications.
Sealing
For heat and fire safety, Belcotex fibers deliver high-temperature heat sealing. These fibers are trusted in airplane passenger cabins, automobiles, and in a wide range of industrial applications.
Filtration
Belcotex fibers are used to filter gases and fluids used in life-supporting systems, such as those found in passenger aircraft.
Strengthening
Belcotex’s lightweight construction technologies and fiber-reinforced composites provide strength to improve the durability and reliability of the products and components in which these fibers are used.
Learn More About Belcotex Products from Tex Tech
Belcotex fibers offer superior qualities that allow Tex Tech to produce high-performance, reliable materials for clients, serving a range of industries and applications. These superior fibers can be combined with other fiber material to create custom solutions offering the properties required to meet the needs of any application.
Learn more about how Tex Tech Industries uses Belcotex non-woven fibers to create superior textile options for a wide range of industries. Contact us today.
Tex Tech Industries Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of high-performance materials globally, and we are committed to providing innovative solutions for each of our customers. We serve wide-ranging industries, including aerospace, protective apparel, automotive, law enforcement, coatings, filtration, 3D weaving, and high-performance materials. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings, or request a quote to get started.
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Lithium-ion batteries, or li-ion batteries, are an increasingly popular choice for a variety of commercial and consumer electronics. Today, users find them in everything from smartphones and tablets to electric vehicles. There are three key reasons why li-ion batteries have become so popular:
