Batteries power everything from flashlights to cars but they don’t last forever, even rechargeable ones. Discharge and recharge cycles alter the structure of lithium materials. The repeated chemical reaction inside the battery can leave dissolved materials in the cathode or the anode forming unwanted metallic plating. Additionally, electrolytes are prone to decomposing because they oxidize on the cathode and leaving rust that blocks the way of ions.
There are also other factors that affect the expiration of batteries. The capacities of all batteries drop with decreasing temperatures. Disposable batteries lose about 8 to 20 percent self-discharge rate per year when they are stored in room temperature. This is due to the non-current producing chemical reaction.
Batteries that are stored for a long time also lose their capacity because of self-discharge. Rechargeable batteries reverse their basic operation and introduce electricity back into the chemical reaction. However, after a while the battery’s ability to absorb extra energy reaches equilibrium, making it less effective after the first recharge, and the second, and the next because additional reactions occur. After a certain number recharges, the battery’s capacity loses its power and runs down.
Old rechargeable batteries self-discharge faster than alkaline batteries, especially the nickel-based batteries which discharge 10 percent in the first 24 hours and 10 percent every month thereafter. Correct charging is important because it affects your battery life.
Battery’s life-time
Battery’s death starts the moment they leave the factory which is irreversible and unavoidable. Lithium-ion batteries’ lifespan is less than two years. It can die even when rarely used or mildly charged. They degrade much faster when hot, and they die quickly when they’re left fully charged.
Most nickel based batteries are partially discharged when purchased so it is important to charge them before use. Newer NiMH batteries, on the other hand, are ready for use when purchased, and they only have 15 percent discharge per year.
Some deterioration occurs every charge and discharge because electrolytes migrate away from the electrodes. Fast charging can shorten your battery’s lifespan. As batteries age, their ion flow reduces resulting to performance decline and eventually making them unusable.
Overcharging
If your car battery frequently requires water, it is probably overcharged because too much currents are supplied. This can be damaging to the battery life because it overworks the active materials of the battery. Battery overcharge can cause your plates to crumble and ruin it.
Most batteries have a manufacture and expiration date stamp to notify consumers that batteries are fresh. Expiration dates mostly mean that the manufacturer will not guarantee that the batteries will perform at peak levels after that time.
Batteries create chemical reactions that flow back and forth releasing energy to power your devices, but they can run out due to lack of electrochemical actions. Since your battery’s life is dependent on the date it was manufactured, it is important for you to know the date code to ensure that the battery you purchased has not been sitting on the shelf for a long time.
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