Ever Wondered What It Takes to Set a LiFePO₄ Cell on Fire?
Ever Wondered What It Takes to Set a LiFePO₄ Cell on Fire?
At Lithium Batteries South Africa, safety is always a top priority. But every so often, curiosity gets the better of us — especially when it comes to testing the limits of our products. So we asked the question: “What does it actually take to get a LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cell to catch fire?”
We took two LiFePO₄ cells, a steel rod, a hammer, and a reinforced testing box (closed on four sides and at the bottom, open at the top) — and got to work. Here’s what happened:
Step 1: The First Puncture Attempt
Johann drove a steel rod into Cell #1 while both cells were placed securely inside the test box. Together with Bain, they hammered the rod in with enough force to attempt a puncture reaction. At first? Nothing.
Only after removing the rod and exposing the puncture hole to open air did the lithium inside react. It ignited slowly — not explosively — burning internally and releasing visible smoke. The internal cell temperature reached 151°C and climbing.
A Fiery Pushback
Johann attempted to reinsert the steel rod into the puncture, but the pressure buildup inside the cell forced the rod back out.
Cell #2 Enters the Scene
Next, Bain placed Cell #2 directly on top of the now-smoking Cell #1 to see if heat transfer or proximity would cause a chain reaction. Even as Cell #1 smoked intensely, Cell #2 remained unaffected — no ignition, no swelling, no spark. The box’s temperature hit 163°C, but Cell #2 just sat there, unfazed.
After a few short minutes, Cell #2 was removed. The result? Only minor external heat damage — the interior remained perfectly intact.
Heat Builds, but Safety Holds
Cell #1, still burning from its initial puncture, was removed from the box. Smoke poured steadily from the puncture hole. Its surface temperature now measured a staggering 180°C — yet it remained a controlled internal burn, with no explosion or fireball.
Time to Push Further
Still determined, we tried to get Cell #2 to burn:
• Attempted to short Cell #2 against the metal box – nothing.
• Tried to short both cells together – no result.
• Finally, after a sharp hammer strike, Cell #2 was punctured.
This time, it worked.
Within seconds, lithium smoke started to vent, and Cell #2 exploded through the hammer puncture, confirming how much force and precision it takes to overcome a LiFePO₄ cell’s safety design.
Final Thoughts: Built for Safety
This real-world test proves what the specs promise:
LiFePO₄ batteries are remarkably stable and difficult to ignite — even under physical abuse, high temperatures, and direct puncture.
That’s why they’re trusted for home, commercial, and industrial energy storage systems. If you're using Lithium Batteries South Africa’s cells, you’re using one of the safest lithium chemistries on the market.