18650 Battery: A Big Competition between Ternary and Lithium Iron Phosphate.
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18650 batteries, ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries are two common types, which differ in charging characteristics, volume, practicality, and safety. Here is a detailed comparison:
Comparison of charging characteristics:
Charging upper limit voltage: The charging upper limit voltage of lithium iron phosphate batteries is 3.65V, while the charging upper limit voltage of ternary lithium batteries is 4.2V.
Static voltage drop: After being static for a period of time, the voltage of lithium iron phosphate batteries will drop to 3.5V or 3.4V, while the voltage drop of ternary lithium batteries is relatively small. However, the ternary polymer battery used in power banks loses power quickly.
Charging efficiency: In terms of charging efficiency, ternary lithium batteries have advantages. When charging at rates above ten, the charge discharge cycle life is longer. In contrast, the constant current ratio of lithium iron phosphate batteries rapidly decreases, and the charging efficiency also decreases accordingly.
Volume and practicality:
At the same voltage, the volume of ternary lithium batteries is smaller than that of lithium iron phosphate batteries. By series boosting or parallel capacity expansion, the performance of electric vehicles can be improved or their usage time can be extended. Ternary lithium batteries are more suitable for northern regions, while lithium iron phosphate batteries are more suitable for southern regions because ternary lithium batteries have better temperature resistance.
Security:
The safety depends on the battery protection board and the correct usage method. The temperature of ternary lithium batteries cannot exceed 180-200 degrees, while lithium iron phosphate batteries cannot exceed around 800 degrees. Batteries all have pressure relief valves, and similarly, polymer power banks can swell or even explode when they reach a certain level. Therefore, there is no absolute safety, and the pros and cons depend on individual needs. As a product of the new era, the correct use of lithium batteries is crucial.
