How to make a lithium-ion battery explode...

[James Jones]

http://www.surfbaud.co.uk/knowledgebase/vidcaps.html

Kids: Don't try this at home!

 

[Kevin R]

I have cross posted to a few model groups as it might be of interest

 

[Bill Jeffrey]

I'm not sure what the point is - or maybe there isn't one. Many
ordinary items will malfunction, or even explode, if crushed by a metal
wedge or drilled through. Try it with an aerosol can of deodorant or
bug spray - we used an unbelievable amount of bug spray making torches
when I was in Boy Scouts. Try it with the CRT in your TV or computer
monitor. Try it with the gas tank of your car, or a propane bottle from
your grill, or an air conditioner ...

If this about the recent and much-overhyped stories of cell phones
exploding in people's ears, I don't think it contributes much.

Bill
===================

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

If this about the recent and much-overhyped stories of cell phones
exploding in people's ears, I don't think it contributes much.

Bill

I thought that only happens when they are talking on their cell phone
and run into a tanker full of gasoline!

 

[Chuck Harris]

Bill, did you by any chance notice that the wedge only just barely
dented the Li cell before it lit off?

The cases on these cells are not any stiffer than a bugspray can,
and unlike the bugspray can, denting them apparently will make them
short inside and go incindiary.

I think that is fairly interesting regardless of how you feel about
cell phones.

-Chuck

 

[H. Dziardziel]

I'm not sure what the point is - or maybe there isn't one. Many
ordinary items will malfunction, or even explode, if crushed by a metal
wedge or drilled through. Try it with an aerosol can of deodorant or
bug spray - we used an unbelievable amount of bug spray making torches
when I was in Boy Scouts. Try it with the CRT in your TV or computer
monitor. Try it with the gas tank of your car, or a propane bottle from
your grill, or an air conditioner ...

An air conditioner? With the exception of CRTs, the other
examples are common knowledge and common sense just like hot
coffee while neophytes don't usually experiment with CRTs.

If this about the recent and much-overhyped stories of cell phones
exploding in people's ears, I don't think it contributes much.

Bill

On the otherhand, the nowadays suddenly ubiquitious Li-ion packs
and their cells look as harmless as common drycells, NiCad or
NiMh cells and are experimented with or used for rebuilding packs
etc.. Li-ion cells are hazardous material and thus not sold to
consumers.. The pictures are graphic and perhaps will stave off
an serious accident.