Lithium ion battery separators are interposed between the positive and negative electrode sheets to prevent shorting due to contact between the positive and negative active materials, and to ensure electrical conductivity by retaining the electrolyte and allowing ions to pass through.

The DSC-60 Differential Scanning Calorimeter is effective for the evaluation of separator melting, electrolyte deterioration or decomposition, and other thermal properties under heating.

Fig. 1 shows an example of melting measurements by a differential scanning calorimeter on three types of separators (1, 2 and 3) extracted from lithium ion batteries.
From the melting temperature, samples 1, 2, and 3 are thought to be polyethylene (PE). Sample 2 also appears to contain polypropylene (PP).

Melting Measurements on Separator (DSC)

Differential Scanning Calorimeter

Differential Scanning Calorimeter

A newly developed high-sensitivity detector doubles the previous peak heights. The 1 µW (RMS) max. noise level permits cooling measurements without the need for options. Automatic detector cleaning.