In situ visualization of the electrolyte solvent filling process by neutron radiography

In the manufacturing of Li-ion battery cells, filling with electrolyte liquid is a crucial step in terms of product quality and cost. To gain insight into the process phenomena, a non-destructive imaging method is presented. It is shown that the spreading of electrolyte liquid within the cell during filling and wetting can be visualized by neutron radiography. The experiment allows for the first time to visualize the soaking behaviour of electrolyte liquid in battery cells. The influence of the process parameters on the wetting behaviour is studied and flow paths of the liquid are identified. The electrolyte intake into the cell stack is discussed with two different analytical approaches. Based on the experimental data, the production process can be optimized, leading to stable cell performance and cost reduction due to faster processes and lower scrap rates.