1. Based on internal materials, lithium batteries are generally divided into two main categories:
Lithium metal batteries: Lithium metal batteries generally use manganese dioxide as the positive electrode material, lithium metal or its alloy metal as the negative electrode material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution.
Lithium-ion batteries: Lithium-ion batteries generally use lithium alloy metal oxide as the positive electrode material, graphite as the negative electrode material, and non-aqueous electrolyte.
Although lithium metal batteries have a high energy density, theoretically reaching 3860 watts per kilogram, their unstable nature and inability to be recharged prevent them from being used as reusable power batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are being developed as the primary power battery due to their rechargeability. However, the different elements incorporated into the cathode materials result in significant differences in performance across various aspects, leading to increased debate within the industry regarding cathode material development strategies.
The most commonly mentioned power batteries are lithium iron phosphate batteries, lithium manganese oxide batteries, lithium cobalt oxide batteries, and ternary lithium batteries (ternary nickel-cobalt-manganese).
2. According to usage, it can also be divided into two main categories:
The first is digital batteries, which are the batteries we use every day in mobile phones, tablets, power banks, etc. These all belong to the category of digital batteries.
The second type is power batteries, which are used in Tesla, BYD's new energy electric vehicles, and drones. These batteries require a large instantaneous current, which digital batteries cannot meet. Therefore, these are also called high-rate batteries, and they are more expensive than digital batteries.
3. Based on the shell material, they can be divided into three categories:
The first type is steel-cased batteries, which, as the name suggests, have a steel casing.
The second type is aluminum-cased batteries, which, similarly, have an aluminum casing.
The third type is polymer batteries, whose casing is made of polymer material. Most of them are silver, but a few manufacturers make them in black, which is known in the industry as "black casing".
4. They can also be classified into three categories according to shape:
The first type is cylindrical batteries, which are widely used, such as 18650 and 26650. These are generally used in combination. Smaller combinations can be used in digital products, such as early laptops, which typically have eight 18650 batteries. Power banks use combinations of one to five or six batteries. Tesla also has series and parallel combinations of more than 7,000 18650 batteries.
The second type is the square battery, which is mostly a polymer battery. Because this polymer has good ductility, it can be made into many shapes, and the length, width and height can be adjusted at will. Most digital products now use this type of battery.
The third type is irregularly shaped batteries, which are batteries with unusual shapes. The shape of the battery must match the product's requirements. For example, the popular smart wearable products, such as smart bracelets, are ring-shaped, so the batteries are also made into ring shapes.
Detailed Explanation of the Lithium Battery Manufacturing Process Flowchart
Structure of lithium batteries
A lithium battery consists of five parts: the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator, the electrolyte, and the casing.
(1) The positive electrode of a lithium battery contains active materials, conductive agents, solvents, binders, matrix and other substances.
(2) The negative electrode of a lithium battery contains active materials, binders, solvents, matrix and other substances.
(3) Lithium battery separator
(4) Lithium battery electrolyte
(5) The lithium battery casing includes metal parts such as steel casing, aluminum casing, cover plate, tabs, and insulating tape.
Detailed Explanation of the Lithium Battery Manufacturing Process Flowchart
Lithium battery production process flow chart
The production process for lithium batteries varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it generally involves the following steps, as shown in the diagram below:
Detailed Explanation of the Lithium Battery Manufacturing Process Flowchart
Specifically, the process is as follows: material preparation – homogenization – coating – rolling – slitting – baking – winding – shell insertion – laser welding – baking – liquid injection – pre-filling – sealing – cleaning – aging – full inspection – warehousing – shipping.
Lithium battery manufacturing process
Objectively speaking, the lithium battery manufacturing process can be divided into three main stages: electrode fabrication, cell fabrication, and battery assembly. Electrode fabrication is fundamental, cell fabrication is the core, and battery assembly directly affects the quality of the finished lithium battery. Specific steps in the lithium battery manufacturing process include positive electrode slurry drawing, negative electrode slurry drawing, positive electrode sheet fabrication, negative electrode sheet fabrication, steel casing assembly, electrolyte injection and testing, and packaging.
Detailed Explanation of the Lithium Battery Manufacturing Process Flowchart
Brief Introduction to Lithium Battery Manufacturing Process
As we all know, the production process of lithium batteries is quite complex. After all, the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries directly relates to consumers' health and safety, so the manufacturing process naturally places high demands on the performance, precision, stability, and automation level of the equipment. Taking the preparation of electrode slurry in the lithium battery production process as an example, this is the very first and most crucial step in the entire process, as the mixing and dispersion process of the electrode slurry has a greater than 30% impact on product quality. Why is this?
The reason is that the preparation of positive and negative electrode slurries for lithium batteries involves a series of processes such as mixing, dissolving, and dispersing liquids with liquids and liquids with solids, which are accompanied by changes in temperature, viscosity, and environment. In the positive and negative electrode slurries, the dispersion and uniformity of particulate active materials directly affect the movement of lithium ions between the two electrodes of the battery. Therefore, the dispersion quality of the electrode slurry directly affects the product performance of lithium batteries.
It is evident that every stage of the lithium battery production process is closely related to product quality and safety. Each stage of lithium battery production must be managed rigorously and meticulously in order to improve the safety performance of lithium battery products.
