JFE Tech Research Expands Long-Term Corrosion Testing for EV Battery Units

Expanded Long-Term Corrosion Testing for EV Batteries

In response to the urgent transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) as part of achieving carbon neutrality, JFE Tech Research is making significant strides in the testing and evaluation of large battery units specifically designed for EVs. With the rapid developments in the mobility sector, the demand for long-term durability assessments of vehicle batteries has become crucial, and the Cyclic Corrosion Test (CCT) is at the forefront of these evaluation methods.

Background and Challenges

The battery testing landscape has previously grappled with several challenges, including:

- Prolonged testing duration: Many tests can take days to several months, occupying equipment for extended periods.
- Safety assurance: Mitigating risks associated with potential overheating during durability tests.
- Investment burdens: The costs and space required for in-house testing facilities are prohibitive for many manufacturers.

JFE Tech Research, a member of the robust JFE Group that primarily focuses on the steel industry, has built a solid foundation in advanced material and component evaluation technologies over the years. Leveraging their longstanding relationships within the automotive industry, they possess extensive experience in conducting long-term durability evaluations of automotive components, including CCT and prototype development services for lithium-ion batteries. This unique combination of expertise has led to the enhancement of CCT testing environments, ensuring that they balance safety and efficiency while expanding their evaluation offerings.

CCT Explained

The Cyclic Corrosion Test (CCT) is a crucial testing procedure that accelerates the corrosion process under simulated real-world conditions through various cycles of saltwater spraying, drying, and moistening. It is widely utilized in the automotive sector to evaluate the durability of automotive components.

Key Features of the New Service

1. Safety-First Design: The primary feature of this service is its layered safety measures tailored for battery testing. This includes:
- Continuous monitoring of the battery’s representative temperature during testing.
- An automatic shutdown mechanism activated by temperature anomalies.
- A shower cooling function to mitigate overheating effectively.

2. Suitability for Large Battery Units: The testing facilities are equipped to handle large battery units necessary for EVs, with versatile testing conditions, including:
- Test chamber dimensions: 2m (W) x 3m (D) x 1.9m (H), one of the largest of its kind.
- Maximum load capacity: 1500kg (reduced to 1200kg under guaranteed temperature and humidity conditions).
- Capability for cold-weather testing: Simulating conditions as low as -20°C.

3. Vast Testing Knowledge: With years of experience operating multiple CCT test machines, JFE Tech Research has accumulated valuable knowledge in test condition design and management. They are committed to proposing optimal testing plans tailored to clients' specific testing requirements.

Advantages of the Service

1. Accelerated Development Speed: Outsourcing long-term tests allows companies to focus internal resources on new developments, thus shortening lead times.

2. Cost and Resource Optimization: The service helps reduce the burden of costly investments in testing equipment and ongoing maintenance, ensuring that testing opportunities are readily available.

3. Reduced Safety Risks: Conducting tests in a specially designed safe environment mitigates the risks associated with in-house testing.

Comprehensive Service Overview

- Target: Lithium-ion batteries and various other battery types.
- Testing Content: Cyclic Corrosion Tests (CCT).
- Service Type: Contract testing.
- Testing Facility Specifications: Refer to the provided specifications table.

Table 1: Testing Equipment Specifications

Future Developments

JFE Tech Research continues to provide various solutions by leveraging its long-standing expertise in evaluation and analysis in support of the manufacturing sector’s pursuit of carbon neutrality.

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About JFE Tech Research

- Company Name: JFE Tech Research Co., Ltd.
- Headquarters: 1-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 4th floor Otemachi Building
- CEO: Kazuhiro Hanazawa
- Business Scope: Testing, analysis, evaluation, consulting, and device development.