Meaning
A processing technique applies mechanical force to the faces of a battery during the first charge and discharge cycles to control the expansion of the active materials. During this procedure, pressure plate formation uses rigid fixtures to maintain a uniform distance between the electrodes as the protective layer develops. This physical constraint prevents the warping of the plates and ensures a consistent ion flow across the surface.
It is commonly used for prismatic and pouch cells.
Structural Benefit
Minimizing the internal void space leads to a more compact and robust cell structure. The use of pressure plate formation helps flatten any irregularities in the electrode coatings that occurred during manufacturing. This results in a higher energy density and improved cycle life for the battery.
Equipment Requirement
Applying a precise and adjustable load to each cell requires specialized racks and monitoring systems. Implementing pressure plate formation involves hardware that can accommodate the thermal expansion of the batteries. The cost of these fixtures is a significant part of the overall factory investment.
Cycle Stability
Reducing the risk of lithium plating involves maintaining a constant pressure during the initialization of the cell. By ensuring the protective layer on the anode is formed evenly, pressure plate formation prevents degradation mechanisms that occur when electrode distance varies. It is a vital step for producing high performance cells.
