Impact of high-velocity loading on mechanical behaviors of 18650-type lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are extensively utilized in civilian and military fields. However, their safety under extreme conditions (e.g., high-velocity impacts) remains to be further investigated. Cylindrical cells behave as the fundamental units in numerous electronic devices and energy systems. This study investigates 18650-type lithium-ion batteries and propels high-velocity projectiles into the batteries, thereby simulating extreme impact scenarios. We experimentally examine the failure behaviors of these batteries across the full state of charge (SOC) range, from 0 to 100% at 10% intervals. Our results reveal that higher SOCs lead to more severe failure failures and significantly elevate the risk of thermal runaway following the battery penetration. Our results are expected to provide theoretical reference for the safety protection of LIB in extreme environments.