SABIC's STAMAX 30YH570 resin

Author: OrderPlastics

2024-08-28

SABIC testing shows phase-change thermoplastics have huge potential to prevent thermal runaway in electric vehicle batteries

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a world-renowned diversified chemical company, recently released test results showing that thermal insulation pad solutions based on thermoplastics have great potential in preventing the spread of electric vehicle (EV) battery fires. SABIC's series of tests at the secondary system level have proven that the battery module casing made of the company's STAMAX™ 30YH570 long-glass polypropylene (PP) resin can serve as an effective battery module with a thickness as low as 1 mm between cells. Thermal isolation solution to prevent the spread of thermal runaway of 18650 cylindrical battery cells. It has the necessary thermal insulation and flame retardant properties to reduce the chance of thermal runaway propagating between cells, thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic safety events. This material is also very effective when combined with compressible foam, which can effectively suppress the spread of thermal runaway in square cells and soft-packed cells.

Prior to this test, SABIC's STAMAX 30YH570 resin had been independently evaluated. In 2023, the product received the UL certification mark from Underwriters Laboratories for its effective flame retardation performance. The evaluation is based on the UL 2596 battery casing material thermal performance and mechanical performance testing method, using a thermal runaway casing for testing.

"We are pleased to share that our thermoplastic solutions have once again proven their potential for use in electric vehicle battery components and systems," said Fahad Al-Harthi, Global Director, Automotive, SABIC Polymers. This combination of flame-retardant materials, combined with our expertise in application design and combustion and polymer interactions, enables new approaches to thermal runaway. We look forward to continued collaboration across the automotive value chain to help improve electric vehicle batteries. System safety, efficiency and performance.”

Thermal Runaway Barrier Test

Fifteen commercial 18650 lithium battery cells and 11 21700 lithium battery cells were sealed in steel boxes for thermal runaway spread testing. The former used STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded blocks as thermal insulation pads, while the latter did not use thermal insulation pads. The initial way in which the battery core generates thermal abuse is to heat the battery core through electrical insulating tape, causing it to start thermal runaway. In tests without thermal barriers, the electrical and chemical energy stored in the cells is released in the form of high-temperature gases, open flames, high-speed particles and sudden pressure increases inside and outside the test chamber. Because heat transfer is uncontrolled, thermal runaway immediately propagates to all adjacent cells, causing fire hazards and severe damage to EV battery packs.

On the contrary, in the test using STAMAX 30YH570 resin injection molded block as a thermal barrier, the heat transfer and heat spread generated by the initial excitation of the cells were effectively suppressed, and all remaining cells remained safe and intact.

This flame-retardant material undergoes phase changes from solid to liquid and gas and removes heat through latent heat and expansion during severe thermal runaway, thereby acting as an effective barrier, slowing heat transfer and fire spread.

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