In previous posts we’ve told you about how lithium ion batteries work and discussed some of the benefits of replacing the battery in your phone. Today we’re going to talk about why some lithium ion batteries expand, and what you should do when that happens.
This is a topic that’s been in the news a lot the last couple years. As you may recall, in late 2016 Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phones experienced severe battery problems, to the point that some phones actually burst into flames. Then in late 2017, as Apple began shipping their new iPhone 8, there were reports that some customers were experiencing battery swelling - sometimes after charging their phone, and sometimes right out of the box. In some cases, the swelling was so bad that it actually caused the screen of the phone to separate from the casing.
So the big question is, why does this happen? Why lithium ion batteries expand? Well, as it turns out, there isn’t one specific answer. Generally, the swelling seems to be related to age and usage. An older battery is more likely to expand than a new one. It can also be related to usage. Batteries that have been overcharged too often, spent too much time discharged, or exposed to extreme temperatures too often are all more likely to expand than others. Manufacturing defects are another potential cause, which seems to have been the case with the Galaxy Note 7. Changes in atmospheric pressure can also sometimes trigger battery swelling, which is why the FAA prohibits them in checked baggage.
There are quite a few different chemicals and materials inside a lithium ion battery, and under certain circumstances, they can undergo a variety of undesired chemical reactions. Many of these reactions are produce excess gases, including oxygen, and are exothermic, which means they generate heat. The combination of heat and extra gases is what causes the battery’s casing to swell.
This is why lithium ion batteries all have a warning against puncturing, crushing, or disassembling the battery printed on them. Puncturing the casing on a lithium ion battery causes a rapid release of gases. These gases are flammable, and can sometimes ignite. If you’ve ever heard stories about lithium ion batteries “exploding,” this is what that means. It isn’t really an explosion, but it’s still scary and extremely dangerous.
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| The battery on this iPhone 8 has swollen and popped the phone open. |
This is a topic that’s been in the news a lot the last couple years. As you may recall, in late 2016 Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phones experienced severe battery problems, to the point that some phones actually burst into flames. Then in late 2017, as Apple began shipping their new iPhone 8, there were reports that some customers were experiencing battery swelling - sometimes after charging their phone, and sometimes right out of the box. In some cases, the swelling was so bad that it actually caused the screen of the phone to separate from the casing.
So the big question is, why does this happen? Why lithium ion batteries expand? Well, as it turns out, there isn’t one specific answer. Generally, the swelling seems to be related to age and usage. An older battery is more likely to expand than a new one. It can also be related to usage. Batteries that have been overcharged too often, spent too much time discharged, or exposed to extreme temperatures too often are all more likely to expand than others. Manufacturing defects are another potential cause, which seems to have been the case with the Galaxy Note 7. Changes in atmospheric pressure can also sometimes trigger battery swelling, which is why the FAA prohibits them in checked baggage.
There are quite a few different chemicals and materials inside a lithium ion battery, and under certain circumstances, they can undergo a variety of undesired chemical reactions. Many of these reactions are produce excess gases, including oxygen, and are exothermic, which means they generate heat. The combination of heat and extra gases is what causes the battery’s casing to swell.
This is why lithium ion batteries all have a warning against puncturing, crushing, or disassembling the battery printed on them. Puncturing the casing on a lithium ion battery causes a rapid release of gases. These gases are flammable, and can sometimes ignite. If you’ve ever heard stories about lithium ion batteries “exploding,” this is what that means. It isn’t really an explosion, but it’s still scary and extremely dangerous.
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| Puncturing a battery with a knife. Never, ever do this. |
So the next question is, what should you do if your phone or laptop battery swells? The answer to that question mainly depends on what kind of device you have. If it’s an Android device or a laptop with a user-removable battery - i.e., if you can just pop out the battery whenever you want - then you should remove the swollen battery immediately, dispose of it safely, and get a new one. That isn’t always feasible, though, since some Android devices, many laptops and all Apple devices have batteries that cannot be easily be removed and replaced by the customer. To make matters worse, the swollen battery can damage other components in your device - your phone’s screen, your laptop’s case, trackpad, or other internal components. If your device’s battery is swelling, it should be replaced immediately. That’s where Phone Medics Plus comes in. When you bring your phone, tablet, or computer to our repair facility at 91 E. Merritt Island Causeway in Merritt Island, our skilled technicians can remove your bad battery, install a new one, and get you back in business quickly. Give us a call or book online today!
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