Climatic Chamber for Battery Testing

Rechargeable lithium batteries are set to be used more and more extensively in the modern world, especially in electric cars.

However, due to their technical characteristics, they are subjected to a thorough series of tests to determine their life cycle, prevent malfunctions , and mitigate their environmental impact. These include climatic chamber tests.

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What are Rechargeable Lithium Batteries?

Also known as lithium-ion batteries, this type of battery was first proposed in the 1970s by American chemist John Goodenough, an idea for which he recently won the Nobel Prize in Chemistryin 2019, together with his colleagues Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino.

In fact, real progress in the field has occurred in the last twenty years during which the applicability of the technology and its large-scale production have been verified.

Rechargeable lithium batteries use a lithium compound on the cathode and graphite or lithium titanate on the anode. They can be made in many shapes and sizes and therefore used for a wide variety of purposes. Furthermore, because they have a low "memory effect," they are among the longest-lived rechargeable batteries known.

Which sectors are involved in Bacteriaand Climate Chamber Testing?

As we have anticipated, the principle of lithium storage can be implemented on different scales, providing energy to very different devices and machines: from the cell phone we hold in our hand, to airliners, to electric cars.

As a result, consumer electronics, military and aerospace , and automotive are sectors involved in lithium-ion battery research and related safety testing in climatic chambers.

Currently, the automotive sector seems to be the most promising and expanding, also due to some accidents and malfunctions that have occurred in other sectors in recent years.

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What standards govern Battery Testing in a Climatic Chamber?

The legislation surrounding rechargeable lithium batteries is a highly topical issue, so much so that in February 2021 a new draft was proposed for consideration by theEuropean Union.

However, some sectors have already drawn up their own guidelines. The automotive sector, for example, refers to the text of EUCAR, the European Automotive.

Updated in 2019, the text regulates the construction and implementation of rechargeable lithium batteries, with particular attention to safety requirements which are developed through appropriate tests in a climatic chamber.

How do Battery Tests in a Climatic Chamber work?

One of the main risk factors for rechargeable lithium batteries is heat.

High temperatures and direct exposure to sunlight affect both longevity (the number of charging cycles varies from 400 to 1200) and operation itself, causing malfunctions and even explosions.

Testing batteries in climatic chambers aims primarily to verify the longevity of the battery and to prevent these occurrences. 

The first are called accelerated aging tests and the second fatigue tests.

By appropriately adjusting the internal temperature of the climatic chamber, it is possible to simulate real-life situations that the battery might encounter during use. EUCAR has established seven risk levels to evaluate the test results, with zero meaning no effect, and the seventh level, when an explosion occurs .

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The FDM Climatic Chamber for Battery Testing

The FDM Climatic Chamber can perform all the battery tests we have mentioned and is equipped with a simple and intuitive that allows the operator to have full control of the process.

FDM can supply climatic chambers for battery tests with ATEX and/or hazard level certification.

If you want to know more about EUCAR Hazard Levels, you can read here. 

Additionally, for specific needs, we can build a custom climate chamber. Don't hesitate to contact us.

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Authoritative Sources and External Links

For more information on lithium battery safety and performance testing regulations:

• UN Model Regulations — Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3) — Mandatory tests for the transport of lithium batteries by air, sea and road.
• IEC 62133 — Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary lithium cells.
• IEC 62660 — Secondary lithium-ion cells for propulsion of electric road vehicles (EV).
• UL 1642 / UL 2054 — U.S. safety standard for battery cells and packs.
• UNECE Regulation No. 100 — Approval of battery electric vehicles (European EV approval).

Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Testing in a Climatic Chamber

What tests are required to market a lithium battery?

For transportation only, UN 38.3 is mandatory worldwide (IATA, IMDG, ADR) and includes 8 tests including altitude, thermal shock, vibration, impact, short circuit, and overcharging. For consumer marketing, IEC 62133 (Europe) or UL 1642/2054 (USA) are additionally required. For automotive EV batteries, IEC 62660 and UNECE R100. Learn more about UN 38.3.

What is the standard temperature range for battery testing?

Most standards require testing between -40°C and +85°C, with some extreme tests at +150°C (UN 38.3 hot box). For charge/discharge cycles in a climatic chamber, the typical range is -20°C to +60°C. Dedicated FDM battery chambers support the -70/+180°C range with active fire protection (thermal runaway containment).

Why are special battery chambers needed?

Lithium batteries under stress can generate thermal runaway: a chain reaction with the emission of toxic/flammable gases, dense smoke, and a risk of explosion. Dedicated FDM battery chambers integrate forced smoke extraction, pressure relief panels, gas detection (LEL), emergency cooling, and reinforced walls that comply with IEC 62619 requirements for industrial batteries.

Can solid-state batteries be tested in the same chambers?

Yes, climatic chambers and environmental test setups work for any battery chemistry (Li-ion, LiPo, solid state, Li-metal, Na-ion). Test protocols and ranges vary: solid state batteries tolerate higher temperatures (up to 150-200°C) and are less prone to thermal runaway, but still require full qualification according to IEC 62660 or the new editions under development (IEC 63338).