I think some inadvertent misinformation has been posted here on lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries do not contain metallic lithium unless they are severely mischarged. Rather, it is __lithium__batteries which contain metallic lithium, and which are a severe fire hazard if punctured. Lithium batteries are not rechargeable. The VHF handheld radios which have been discussed here recently all use __lithium ion__ batteries, and are about as safe as NiCad or NiMH batteries. Unless they are severely mis-charged, they should not produce any metallic lithium and therefore are incapable of burning. Like any rechargeable battery, if they are recharged extremely rapidly and allowed to overcharge, they may vent caustic chemicals, or generate enough heat to start a fire in other materials. But, they are not themselves highly likely to catch fire. Here is one of several links I Googled up which distinguish these two batteries: http://www.allegromicro.com/techpub2/cadex/index341.htm This distinction, between lithium (an element) and lithium ions (the combined form of lithium found when it interacts with other substances) is not generally understood by many who write "warnings" you will see on the Internet. Caveat emptor. -- Dave Kruger Just a long-time chemist *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Apr 09 2005 - 21:34:03 PDT
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