The Thermal Runaway Condition in Nickel‐Cadmium Cells and Performance Characteristics of Sealed Light Weight Cells

Abstract

The thermal runaway condition, sometimes called the vicious cycle, can be caused in almost any type of cell under certain conditions. The underlying causes of the runaway condition are discussed with specific application to sealed nickel‐cadmium cells on constant potential overcharge. The discharge and overcharge performance characteristics of sealed nickel‐cadmium cells with plastic electrodes are presented. These cells operated at high energy density levels on both a weight and volume basis and were more difficult to put in the runaway condition.