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In battery manufacturing, comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) tests of materials are essential for ensuring consistent quality and final battery performance.
Thermal analysis is helpful for screening incoming materials and verifying their performance before using them in large scale production. Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) measure the melting temperature and glass transition temperature of binder, separator, and electrolyte materials. These thermal properties influence a battery’s functionality in its operation range. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) measures thermal stability as well as helping determine incoming materials’ composition. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) determines the thermal mechanical integrity of the separator, which is critical to ensure battery safety. Together, these thermal analysis instruments help verify materials’ suitability and minimize waste by using the right material with ideal properties for battery manufacturing.
Test Battery Slurries Throughout the Workflow
Optimizing electrode manufacturing to minimize waste requires checking the slurry formulation at each stage of mixing, coating, and drying. During each of the following steps of processing, slurries undergo shear rates that can change their properties and performance. Therefore, checking a slurry’s rheology during formulation is the first step toward success. The Discovery Hybrid Rheometer is designed for formulation and research-grade slurry testing. The DHR measures viscosity at relevant shear rates to help users optimize slurries for uniform coating. The uniquely friction-free Rheo-Impedance Spectroscopy accessory enables battery researchers to check the conductive network under realistic mixing and coating conditions.
