Failure Analysis of Particle Contamination in Battery

Root-cause failure analysis of lithium-ion batteries offers crucial insights for improving cell design, manufacturing, and usage [1]–[3]. As batteries evolve with larger form factors and higher energy densities, failure analysis techniques need to be tailored to the specific characteristics of these advanced batteries. In this paper, a battery failure analysis process was conducted to identify the root cause of a failed battery. Initially, a 2D x-ray imaging was employed to detect anomalies in the sample. Subsequent disassembly in an argon glove box of the battery facilitated the recovery of particle contaminants. Finally, airless transfer to SEM/EDS allows imaging and elemental analysis of these contaminants revealed the underlying failure mechanism.