Avery Dennison has introduced a new portfolio of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (PSAs)for battery energy storage systems (BESS).

This broad family of adhesives, functional bonding, and protection tapes are designed to tackle the three core material challenges with these large-scale batteries: thermal-runaway protection, high-voltage insulation, and fast assembly. They are targeted at the large modules, battery packs, and containerized units of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cells commonly used in industrial- and grid-scale BESS applications (Fig. 1).

Thermal runaway remains one of the most significant hazards in big batteries. Triggered when one of the cells heats up uncontrollably, the event can spread throughout the pack, increasing the risk of fire and widespread failure. To help prevent propagation between cells, Avery Dennison has developed flame-retardant adhesives that allow designers to create rugged, multilayer thermal barrier solutions. The Flame Tough family can be easily assembled into packs along with the cells, the company said.

Dielectric tape solutions can help protect battery packs against one of the other safety risks with battery storage: arcing between cells, busbars, cooling plates, and module housings. Avery's Volt Tough family of materials and adhesives have been tested for breakdown voltage and dielectric strength requirements using GB/T 1408.1-2016 and ASTM D3755 test methods, and they offer high dielectric strength at very thin calipers.

To help BESS manufacturers meet aggressive timelines, automation requirements and cost pressures, the new PSA tapes deliver instant bonding for automated assembly lines. Die-cut precision eliminates waste and enables camera/vision system detection with colored variants. Other benefits include automated assembly compatibility, dimensional precision for tight tolerances, and no volatile emissions (VOCs) or mixing equipment.