LG Chem develops flame-retardant engineering plastic material that prevents thermal runaway of electric vehicle battery for the longest period currently.

Thermal runaway, a main cause of fire in electric vehicle batteries, is a phenomenon where battery cell suffers stresses from various origins and heats up subsequently.

Flames arise once battery’s internal temperature rises above a certain level due to short circuit such as overvoltage and overdischarge. Lithium-ion battery has high reactivity to water, which makes it difficult to extinguish it with water in case of fire.

LG Chem develops advanced plastic materials that prevent battery’s thermal runaway.

LG Chem’s newly developed special flame retardant is a high-functional engineering plastic material that consists of various material groups such as polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Compared to general flame-retardant plastics, the new material can block heat for a longer period when it is applied to electric vehicle’s battery pack cover thanks to its very good heat resistance. It also performs dimensional stability that can continue to maintain its shape despite temperature changes.

The material can be applied to battery pack covers so that it can delay combustion period in case of fire and prevent flame from spreading. This will help secure the time needed to evacuate drivers and put out a fire.

According to LG Chem’s in-house test results, the material can block flame propagation caused by thermal runaway more than 400 seconds in 1,000 degrees. This is 45 times better than general flame-retardant plastics.

LG Chem plans to initiate its full-scale production starting 2023 in accordance with the customer’s schedule. The company is currently filing for patents in Korea, US, and Europe. Based on the pack cover supply, the company plans to expand its application of material on vehicles as well as in various industries.

LG Chem develops flame-retardant engineering plastic material that prevents thermal runaway of electric vehicle battery for the longest period currently.

Thermal runaway, a main cause of fire in electric vehicle batteries, is a phenomenon where battery cell suffers stresses from various origins and heats up subsequently.

Flames arise once battery’s internal temperature rises above a certain level due to short circuit such as overvoltage and overdischarge. Lithium-ion battery has high reactivity to water, which makes it difficult to extinguish it with water in case of fire.

LG Chem develops advanced plastic materials that prevent battery’s thermal runaway.

LG Chem’s newly developed special flame retardant is a high-functional engineering plastic material that consists of various material groups such as polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Compared to general flame-retardant plastics, the new material can block heat for a longer period when it is applied to electric vehicle’s battery pack cover thanks to its very good heat resistance. It also performs dimensional stability that can continue to maintain its shape despite temperature changes.

The material can be applied to battery pack covers so that it can delay combustion period in case of fire and prevent flame from spreading. This will help secure the time needed to evacuate drivers and put out a fire.

According to LG Chem’s in-house test results, the material can block flame propagation caused by thermal runaway more than 400 seconds in 1,000 degrees. This is 45 times better than general flame-retardant plastics.

LG Chem plans to initiate its full-scale production starting 2023 in accordance with the customer’s schedule. The company is currently filing for patents in Korea, US, and Europe. Based on the pack cover supply, the company plans to expand its application of material on vehicles as well as in various industries.