What Is Thermal Runaway? (Fact Sheet)

In thermal runaway, a lithium-ion cell generates heat at a rate several times higher than the rate at which heat dissipates from the cell. The cell reaches thermal runaway when its temperature rises uncontrollably at a rate greater than 20° centigrade per minute with maximum temperatures reaching greater than 300°C accompanied by gas and/or electrolyte venting, smoke or fire or a combination of all.