Partner content: Erhardt+Leimer
The quality of a lithium-ion battery is determined long before the cell is assembled. Key parameters for energy capacity are already established during electrode manufacturing. In wet coating, which remains the established industrial process, uniform coating of the substrates copper and aluminum plays a crucial role. This places high demands on continuous, reproducible and process-oriented basis weight measurement. Besides providing a quality parameter, the measurement can be integrated directly into process control to correct deviations where necessary.
Basis weight as a key process parameter
Electrode manufacturing comprises several closely interconnected steps: mixing the slurries, coating both sides of aluminum or copper foils, drying, compacting the material in a press and subsequent slitting. The slurry consists of active material, conductive additives, solvents or water, and binders. Correct mixing directly affects its rheology and therefore its coating behavior.
In the coating line, the slurry is applied to the metal foil. To ensure consistent product quality, the basis weight must be continuously monitored throughout the coating process. Mea...