What Is A Thermal Battery?

Thermal battery is a kind of storage battery whose electrolyte is non-conducting solid during storage. When in use, it uses electric firing head or striker mechanism to ignite the heating agent inside, so that the electrolyte melts into ionic conductor and is activated. It is also called thermally activated reserve battery.

1. Advantages of thermal battery:

High specific energy and specific power: active anode material, high potential negative;

High-power discharge: high specific conductance, steady-state current A/cm2 level discharge;

Wide operating environment temperature range; -50~+70 degrees;

Long storage time: more than 15 years, no self-discharge;

Fast and reliable activation: mostly less than 1min;

Compact structure and simple process;

Low cost, no maintenance, etc.;

2. Disadvantages of thermal batteries: the humidity of the battery manufacturing environment is less than 5%; fully sealed battery structure. Short working time, high working surface temperature, single use;

3. Thermal battery composition and structure: ignition system, heating system, stack, insulation and heat preservation system, stainless steel shell, metal/glass insulator, cover assembly, etc.

(1) Ignition system: the heating system inside the battery is quickly ignited; the ignition element and the high-speed ignition strip are electrically activated: built-in ignition head; mechanical activation: percussive flash hider

(2) Heating system: Provide enough heat in a very short time to melt the electrolyte and the battery enters the working state; provide the required heat during the effective working time of the battery. It is composed of heating plate and heating enclosure.

1) Unheated zirconium and chromic acid powder: high ignition sensitivity, used for fast activation and short working life of thermal batteries;

2) Mechanical activation of iron powder and potassium chlorate: pressed and used as current collector in the layered stack;

4. Classification of thermal batteries

Thermal batteries are classified according to negative electrode materials: 1) Magnesium-based thermal batteries 2) Calcium-based thermal batteries 3) Lithium-based thermal batteries

Thermal batteries are classified according to their functions:

1) Quick activation: life-saving battery activated within 0.2s; 2) Short working life power type: conventional tactical short-range missiles; 3) Medium and long life high specificity: underwater power source; 4) High voltage type: high overload type, For shells and missiles;