Electric Vehicle Thermal Runaway

EV Battery Thermal Runaway reactions can escalate quickly, leaving little time for vehicle occupants to egress to safety. Small actions, battery ruptures, or moderate unmanaged battery heat can lead to massive consequences without appropriate lithium-ion fire protection and fire suppression in place. Thermal runaway rapidly increases the volatility of the lithium-ion electrolyte within the vehicle, easily spreading noxious smoke and fire or cause explosions. Vehicle manufacturers proactively design safety features in the unlikely scenario of a catastrophic battery event for drivers and passengers to have enough time to safely exit their vehicle. Various systems, materials, and technologies are deployed to prevent and mitigate thermal runaway conditions or reactions.

EV battery cooling systems protect against thermal runaway by dissipating excess heat more quickly than it can accumulate. These cooling systems also mitigate the effects of high ambient or environmental temperatures that elevate the risk and effect of thermal runaway. By keeping electric vehicle batteries in their optimum temperature range, cooling technologies prevent EV thermal runaway and overheating.

Learn more about EV battery cooling solutions.

Electric vehicle architects must include technologies and materials as safety features to prevent or mitigate thermal runaway spread and fire once a thermal runaway chemical reaction starts. High force impact, extreme vibration or pressure, and expansion and contraction temperature cycles create mechanical movement within battery cells that can start or propagate thermal runaway. EV battery protecting compression pads support pouch cells during expansion and contraction in charge-discharge cycles as well as protect and cushion from sudden mechanical movement to improve Li-ion cell safety. Integrating fire suppressing, electrically insulating flame barrier materials creates fire isolation within the battery. Localizing and containing a thermal runaway catastrophic fire at the Li-ion battery cell, module, or pack level increases consumer safety.

Our specialized SOLIMIDE® Foams offer flexible, lightweight, fire resistance. SOLIMIDE® Foams do not burn, emit little smoke, and exceed FAR 25.856 fire resistance specifications. With long lifetimes, SOLIMIDE® Foam thermal runaway technologies are ideal to improve battery safety and performance without adding bulk or weight.