Understanding battery failure mechanisms is vital for mitigating failures. Models can try to quantify damage but will always fall short because they cannot determine or account for the actual cause of the damage. Scientists and engineers can use non-destructive tests to make assumptions as to why the damage is occurring, but a thorough failure analysis is required to find the root cause. Failure mechanisms of all batteries will be similar regardless of whether the batteries are powering small medical devices or supporting the grid.

This webinar recording features battery failure case studies. There is also an overview of Intertek's basic failure analysis investigation methodology, explanations of how each test works and why Intertek performs them. The methodology shared in this recording combines both nondestructive electrochemical testing and a deconstructive analysis, providing qualitative and quantitative information about the potential failure mechanisms. Intertek's deconstructive analysis includes disassembly of the cell and examination of the battery components via microscopy. Being able to see the physical damage and evaluate the cell construction and material quality often provides the most insight when trying to determine a root cause. Dr. Taylor Kelly demonstrates examples of past analyses and explains the failure mechanisms.