The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought new materials and components into the global automotive supply chain that require mechanical testing. To offset the immense weight of EV batteries, a heightened focus has been put on the preexisting light weighting trend. Similar to conventional automotive testing, raw materials and assemblies specific to EVs, such as polymer films used for Li-ion battery separators and the packs they ultimately form, require development and production testing.

Separator Film Testing

The membrane between a battery’s anode and cathode is referred to as the separator. These films must be capable of withstanding harsh conditions all the way from manufacturing processes to extreme climates.

Light Weighting

Globally, there are increasing efforts to reduce the weight of automobiles, increasing fuel efficiency which aids in the reduction of emissions.

Component Testing

Electric vehicles introduce new components into the automotive industry that require mechanical testing for both development and quality control environments.

Battery Separator Puncture Testing

Polymer separators based on polyolefins, like polyethylene and polypropylene, are widely used in commercial batteries. Application of Li-ion batteries as energy storage systems in HEVs and full EVs necessitates improvements to the separators currently being used to significantly increase safety.