Degradation Effects and Corrosion Management in Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Degradation effects around lithium-ion batteries. Source | MKS/Atotech, NASF

A battery housing manufactured from aluminum or steel require protection against corrosion to ensure the longevity of the components. It’s not only the corrosion inside the cell that needs protection, however, but also corrosion around the cell. 

Surface treatment can help with this. High-performance aluminum alloys are an attractive material choice for a wide variety of battery components largely due to their lighter weight, customized formability and natural electromagnetic shielding. Whether considering the exterior housing, module and pouch covers, end plates or cooling trays, state-of-the-art surface preparation and conversion coating solutions support the demand for optimal corrosion and paint performance. 

Steel battery housings require electromagnetic shielding and special corrosion protection that lasts a vehicle’s lifetime. Their surfaces must also allow for adhesion to subsequent paint coatings and fire-retardant layers. Electrolytic plating of steel battery housings results in high-performance corrosion protection. An appropriate passivate ensures seamless adhesion to paint and fire-retardant layers.

This article is based on a presentation originally given at SUR/FIN 2025 in Rosemont, Illinois. The full paper can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF26-Apr1.