Lithium ion battery bloated

Why do lithium ion batteries swollen?

Lithium-ion batteries use a chemical reaction to generate power. As the battery ages, this chemical reaction no longer completes perfectly, which can result in the creation of gas (called outgassing), leading to a swollen battery.

What happens if a lithium ion battery fails?

When a lithium ion battery fails, things can go south very quickly. If you open up your phone to find a battery swollen to twice its size, proper care and handling is critical for both your safety and the safety of others. What's a Swollen Battery?

Can a swollen lithium-ion battery explode?

Definitely not! A swollen lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous. The pressure can make gases escape, and the battery can even catch fire or explode, especially if pierced. Your first step should be to turn off the device immediately, and keep it off. Don’t plug it in or mess with it, either.

Should lithium-ion batteries be thrown away?

Whether they are damaged or not, lithium-ion batteries should never, ever, be thrown away. Not only is the battery the kind of environmental hazard you don't want sitting in a landfill, but even a brand new lithium-ion battery is a fire hazard if it is punctured or shorted out in the trash can or garbage truck.

Are lithium ion batteries dangerous?

Although lithium-ion batteries generally don't fail catastrophically and hurt anyone, you still need to treat them with the kind of respect could-explode-and-burn-you objects deserve. Once you notice the battery is swollen or compromised in any way, you should immediately stop using the device.

Are swollen batteries dangerous?

However, even one swollen cell is dangerous. That’s because the gasses inside a swollen battery are extremely flammable and highly toxic. They may catch fire if exposed to air, and they can cause severe damage to your respiratory system if you breathe them in.