There are a number of materials joining requirements for battery manufacturing, depending on the specific type, size and capacity of the battery. Internal terminal connections, battery can and fill.
Battery applications often involve welding dissimilar metals, such as copper to nickel, which can be problematic in welding. Commonly used materials in battery construction include copper, aluminum, and nickel.
Fusion welding, specifically using electron beams or lasers, is the best method for welding battery components. Both electron beam and laser welding offer high power densities, pinpoint accuracy, and are well-suited for automated welding processes and small, miniature weld applications.
Which type of welding is best for a battery array?
Depending on the project parameters, both laser welding and electron beam welding can be cost effective for battery arrays. However, battery array configurations are becoming more compact, and designs are continually evolving.
Can fusion welding be used on miniaturized batteries?
Fusion welding processes, such as electron beam and laser beam, are well suited for joining burst disks to miniaturized batteries. Burst disks are increasingly used on these batteries, making this process a requirement with high accuracy and repeatable precision.
Nickel is a strong material with excellent corrosion resistance and good electrical properties, making it a common choice for battery terminals and interconnects. Nickel is stronger than copper and aluminum and welds more readily. However, the challenge lies in joining nickel to copper and aluminum, which have much lower melting points.
What are the requirements for joining components for a spaceflight battery?
When joining components for batteries that undergo certification for human spaceflight use, the joining quality at the resistance spot weld of battery cells to component wires/leads and battery tabs, bus bars or other electronic components and assemblies shall be evaluated.