PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS FOR THERMAL PROTECTION IN BATTERIES

A battery protection system that attenuates the impact of a thermal event above 100° C. in the environment of a battery includes at least one inorganic phase change material (IPCM). The IPCM undergoes a solid-solid or solid-liquid phase change at temperatures in excess of 100° C. and with a heat absorption of at least 50 kJ/kg. The IPCM is an anhydrous inorganic salt or compound that absorbs heat by a phase change from one solid phase to a second solid phase or to a liquid phase. A battery-package is formed that includes the battery protection system on or within the battery-can. The battery-package can have the IPCM within a composite, and the composite can include a thermally conductive filler. The battery protection system can have a series of heat absorbing IPCMs that absorb heat at a series of ascending temperatures.