Battery Heat Capacity Measurements

Heat capacity measurement is used to quantify how much heat a battery cell or module can absorb as its temperature changes, which is essential for thermal management and safety analysis. Knowing the heat capacity allows temperature data from Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC^®) tests to be converted into heat and power (Joules and Watts), enabling accurate calculation of heat generation during normal operation or abuse conditions.

Using the EVx ARC^® instrument, heat capacity is measured by attaching a thin, Kapton-insulated heater directly to the battery sample and suspending it inside the calorimeter. The heater is powered and controlled automatically through the ARC^® system, applying a known electrical input while the resulting temperature rise is recorded. This controlled input-output method allows the system to determine the sample’s specific heat capacity over a range of temperatures.

The test is fully automated, with power control and data analysis handled by ARC^® software. Results include heat capacity as a function of temperature, applicable to individual cells or small modules across all common battery formats. These measurements directly support thermal modeling, pack design, and interpretation of adiabatic battery abuse test data.

Instrument

Thermal Hazard Technology EVx ARC^®

The EVx Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC^®) is a specialized safety testing device used to study the thermal runaway behavior of large-format electric vehicle (EV) batteries, modules, and small packs. It simulates a self-heating scenario by raising the temperature of a battery until it starts to self-heat, then operates in a near-adiabatic mode to accelerate the reaction and collect data on temperature and pressure rise.

Sample Preparation

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