Characterization of the Constitutive Behavior of a Cathode Active Layer in Lithium-Ion Batteries Using a Bending Test Method

Abstract Presently used experimental techniques for the characterization of tensile and compressive behavior of active layers in lithium-ion batteries have limitations of different kinds. This is particularly true for measurements of compressive properties. Furthermore, the characterizations of time-dependent stress-strain behavior are largely missing. In order to characterize the stress-strain relationship for a dry cathode active layer in lithium-ion batteries, a mechanical testing method is presented that previously has been applied to the testing of optical fibers. The method is based on U-shaped bending of single-side coated aluminum foils, which enables separate measurements of tensile and compressive properties. In particular, the method has clear advantages for measurements of compressive properties in comparison to previously reported techniques. Relaxation experiments are also conducted in order to characterize the time-dependent properties of the dry active layer and to check if these effects could explain the measured hysteresis. It is found that the elastic modulus in compression is significantly larger than the elastic modulus in tension and that the compressive modulus increases with strain level. Contrary, the tensile modulus is approximately independent of strain. Furthermore, hysteresis effects are present at loading-unloading measurements, both for tension and compression. The low values of the measured elastic moduli show that the electrode properties are largely controlled by the binder and carbon additives. It is concluded that the development of particle-particle contacts most likely is the reason for the higher modulus in compression in comparison to tension. The time-dependent effects are significant, primarily for shorter time scales, which explains the relaxation behavior, but they cannot fully explain the hysteresis effects. Most likely non-linear micro-mechanisms do contribute as well.