Fire protection for batteries: lightweight solutions for battery cases
High-performance batteries are key drivers of the technology-inspired world we live in, and their impact is steadily rising, not least due to today’s fast-changing mobility landscape. The requirements and demands on modern batteries are increasing at the same time: “Minimum weight – maximum performance” is the prime principle to go by in state-of-the-art battery development and design. In order to adapt to this demand in the area of fire protection as well, KuhnOdice, in cooperation with SAERTEX, has developed a solution to realise fire-proof lightweight designs of battery cases.
Battery systems with high energy density can reach temperatures of over 1,400 °C and may cause an explosion in the event of a battery fire, accompanied by a massive release of particles and gases. This is why today’s industry focus is not only on lightweight construction, but also on aspects such as thermal event prevention (burn-through protection) and protection against the release of substances that are harmful to health and the environment.
We at KuhnOdice fully meet this growing complexity of requirements for a combination of lightweight construction and fire protection for batteries by offering a dedicated composite material that makes the perfect solution for the production of fire-safe and low-weight battery cases: SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC.
All-round safety for battery case covers: glass fibre fabric (NCF) treated with fire protection coating
SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC is a non-crimp (NCF) glass fibre fabric with an integrated intumescent fire protection coating. The material was created to meet the highest design and mechanical requirements and to ensure all-round fire protection for all kinds of applications within the transportation sector. The material is up to 40% lighter than aluminium and thus ideal for saving weight on battery cases!
The benefits of SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC
- More advanced
Offers a next-level fire protection concept designed for battery cells, modules and packs – complies with the most stringent fire safety standards
- Lighter
Provides up to 40% weight savings compared to aluminium
- Easier to use
Easy to use thanks to the integrated fire protection coating and the low content of binders
- Faster
Significant time and cost savings due to reduced processing effort thanks to the integrated fire protection coating
- More resilient
Extremely resilient to mechanical and thermal stress
- More flexible
Deformable and thus customisable fire protection fabric to fit design needs across all fields of application
Fields of application of SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC: electric vehicles, battery modules, battery boxes
This is where battery fire protection and lightweight construction are seamlessly integrated with each other to deliver the best of benefits in every respect: SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC is a tried and tested material in the most diverse e-mobility battery environments.
It provides fire protection not only to e-vehicle battery modules, but also to battery cell structures and battery boxes. E-scooters and e-bikes also benefit from SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC as the material protects battery cases and covers alike from fire.
Did you know?
Aluminium or steel used in electric vehicles are designed to have a lifespan of 200,000 kilometres, whereas the lifespan of composite fabric SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC is five times as long.
Effective fire protection in case of a battery accident
Clear evidence of the protective effect of SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC has been provided in our patented test procedure.
Battery particle impact test
A patented test procedure enables KuhnOdice to simulate the loads acting on a battery housing during a battery event. The video impressively shows how a conventional unprotected aluminium plate behaves in comparison to an aluminium plate insulated with fire protection material SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC. The additional material prevents the system from burning through, thus protecting the environment from the escape of fire and hot gases.
Get in touch
KuhnOdice Germany GmbH
Jaegersgrund 10
57339 Erndtebrueck
Germany
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