<img src=https://nenpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-4224.webp alt=’Are there any safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries that nickel-cadmium batteries don’t have’ />
Yes, there are significant safety risks associated with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that are not typical of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. Here are some key differences and risks:
Safety Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Fire and Explosion Risk: Li-ion batteries can experience thermal runaway due to overcharging, overheating, or physical damage, leading to rapid heating, fires, and explosions. They contain volatile electrolytes that can release flammable gases when damaged or exposed to heat.
- Reignition Risk: Even after extinguishing a Li-ion battery fire, there is a risk of reignition, which can occur without warning, even days later.
- Chemical Exposure: Li-ion batteries release toxic gases during fires, posing a chemical exposure risk to firefighters and others nearby.
- High-Voltage Risks: High-voltage Li-ion batteries used in electric vehicles can pose an electric shock hazard to emergency responders if not handled correctly.
Comparison with Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
- Toxicity: Ni-Cd batteries contain cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, which poses environmental and health risks during disposal. However, they do not have the same risk of fire or explosion as Li-ion batteries.
- Overheating and Thermal Runaway: Ni-Cd batteries, while susceptible to some overheating damage, do not enter thermal runaway as easily as Li-ion batteries.
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Both types of batteries can potentially cause EMI, but this is not a significant risk compared to the fire hazards of Li-ion batteries.
In summary, while Ni-Cd batteries have toxicity issues, Li-ion batteries have a higher risk of fire and explosion due to their volatile chemical composition. Additionally, Li-ion batteries can pose electrical hazards in high-voltage applications like electric vehicles.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/are-there-any-safety-risks-associated-with-lithium-ion-batteries-that-nickel-cadmium-batteries-dont-have/
