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American consumers, with the exception of electronics enthusiasts, are only familiar with a limited range of lithium solutions. These solutions are typically composed of cobalt oxide, manganese oxide or nickel oxide.
First, let’s take a step back in time. Lithium-ion batteries have only been in existence for 25 years. Since then, lithium technologies have become increasingly popular as they have proven useful in powering smaller electronics like laptops and cell phones. In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have also gained a reputation for catching fire, as you may recall from several news articles. In the past, lithium was not commonly used to create large battery banks due to this problem.
However, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) came along, which was a non-combustible lithium solution with a slightly lower energy density than other lithium chemistries. In addition to being safer, LiFePO4 batteries offered many advantages over other lithium chemistries, especially when used in high power applications.
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries aren’t exactly new, but they are just now gaining traction in global commercial markets. Here’s how they differ from other lithium batteries:
Safety And Stability
It is well known that LiFePO4 batteries are extremely safe, due to their highly stable chemistry. As compared to lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials, phosphate-based batteries offer superior thermal and chemical stability. In case of mishandling during charging or discharging, lithium phosphate cells are incombustible. Furthermore, they can withstand harsh conditions, including freezing cold, scorching heat, and rough terrain.
They won’t explode or catch fire when subjected to hazardous events, such as collisions or short circuits, which greatly reduces the risk of injury. LiFePO4 is likely to be a good choice if you intend to use a lithium battery in hazardous or unstable environments.
Performance
Choosing the right battery for a given application depends heavily on its performance. Lithium iron batteries have a longer shelf life than lithium-ion batteries due to their long life, slow self-discharge rates, and less weight. A lithium battery typically has a service life of five to ten years or longer, and its runtime significantly exceeds that of lead-acid batteries or other lithium formulations. Furthermore, LiFePO4 batteries charge quickly, so if you’re seeking a battery that will last for years and charge quickly, LiFePO4 is a great choice.
Space efficiency
It is also important to mention that LiFePO4 is space-efficient. LiFePO4 provides an effective way to make use of space and weight at one third that of most lead-acid batteries and almost half that of manganese oxide. You’ll be able to make your product more efficient.
Environmental impact
Unlike lead-acid batteries, LiFePO4 batteries contain no rare earth metals and are non-toxic, non-contaminating, and non-toxic. As a result of internal chemicals degrading the structure over time, lead acid batteries pose a significant environmental risk (especially lead acid batteries).
A lithium iron phosphate battery offers significant advantages over lead-acid and other lithium batteries, such as improved discharge and charge efficiency, a longer life span, and the ability to deep cycle. Despite the higher price tag of LiFePO4 batteries, a lifetime cost-benefit analysis, minimal maintenance, and infrequent replacement make them a smart long-term choice.
We offer a Lithium Battery Selector Tool to help you determine your energy needs and choose the right battery for your application.
You can find more information about lithium iron batteries on our website.
