SABIC testing demonstrates potential of phase-change thermoplastics in preventing fire spread in electric vehicle batteries

Global chemical industry leader SABIC reports test results at NPE2024 that highlight the huge potential of thermoplastic-based thermal runaway barrier solutions to help prevent the spread of fires in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

SABIC's subsystem-level test series demonstrates the potential of battery module cases made from the company's STAMAX 30YH570 long-glass polypropylene (PP) resin as an effective thermal barrier solution with cell-to-cell thicknesses as low as 1 mm, preventing thermal runaway propagation in 18,650 cylindrical cells.

It provides the necessary thermal insulation and flame retardancy to reduce the chance of cell-to-cell spread in the event of thermal runaway, thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic safety events. The combination of this material with compressible foam has also shown promising results in suppressing the propagation of thermal runaway in prismatic and pouch cells.

The new results build on previous independent evaluations of SABIC STAMAX 30YH570 resin. In 2023, the product received the UL Certification Mark from Underwriters Laboratories for its effective flame delay performance. The evaluation is based on UL 2596 (Test Methods for Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Battery Enclosure Materials) using thermal runaway box testing.

Fahad Al-Harthi, Global Director, Polymers Automotive Division, SABIC: "We are pleased to share this additional validation of the strong potential of our thermoplastic solutions in electric vehicle battery components and systems. With our expertise in application design and fire-polymer interactions, we can help enable new approaches to thermal runaway barriers. We look forward to continuing our collaboration across the entire automotive value chain to help improve the safety, efficiency and safety of electric vehicle battery systems."