IATA Class 9 Lithium Batteries Primary Hazard

Lithium metal and lithium ion batteries are highly flammable and capable of ignition. Ignition can be caused when a battery short circuits, is overcharged, is heated to extreme temperatures, is mishandled, or is otherwise defective. Once a cell is induced into thermal runaway, it can rapidly generate sufficient heat to cause adjacent cells to go into thermal runaway. A lithium metal cell can release a flammable electrolyte mixed with molten lithium metal, accompanied by a large pressure pulse, which can result in an explosive mixture.

Halon 1301, the suppression agent found in Class C cargo compartments, is ineffective in controlling a lithium metal cell fire. A lithium metal cell explosion can damage cargo liners and activate pressure relief panels. For this reason, lithium metal cells are currently prohibited as bulk cargo shipments on passenger-carrying aircrafts.

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