LG Chem and LX Hausys jointly develop special FR CFT for delaying battery thermal runaway
LG Chem and LX Hausys jointly developed Special Flame Retardant Continuous Fiber Thermoplastic (CFT) for delaying battery thermal runaway which can withstand strong flames and high pressure for more than 14 times longer than existing thermoplastics.
Last year, LG Chem developed the super flame barrier material which can withstand flames at temperatures exceeding 1000°C for over 10 minutes, the longest time in the world at that time.
With its Continuous Fiber Thermoplastics (CFT) manufacturing technology, LX Hausys improved the performance off LG Chem’s material by manufacturing technique of layering thermoplastic in the form of tape to the material.
In LG Chem’s internal torch test subjecting the 1.6mm thin Special Flame-Retardant CFT to temperatures exceeding 1500°C and pressure, the material did not melt, run down, or develop any holes even after 20 minutes, which is the industry’s highest level of flame blocking performance.
The new material withstand temperature over 1500°C and pressure for over 20 minutes in the torch test.
The Special Flame Retardant CFT is solid and has high rigidity, which implies low deformation under force. Therefore, it can be used in the top and bottom covers off large battery packs among electric vehicle battery components.
It is expected that it will effectively delay the spread of flames in the event of an electric vehicle fire, securing more time for driver evacuation and fire suppression.
LG Chem’s Super flame barrier materials are primarily used in battery modules while the jointly developed new material is used for the large battery pack cover that encases the module. Using both materials together can provide a double barrier against the spread of flames.
“We have been working closely with LX Hausys since we developed and announced a super flame barrier material last year. We are proud to have a total solution lineup for electric vehicle thermal runaway,” commented Tom Shin, Head of Department, Marketing Department, Engineering Materials from LG Chem.
