Battery Cases & Accessories

The case and its accessories define how a research cell holds pressure, conducts current, and survives thermal events long enough for the chemistry inside to be measured fairly. This collection covers the mechanical and electrical hardware needed to assemble pouch, cylindrical, and prismatic cells in the lab, from outer enclosures down to tabs, tab adhesives, and strapping tapes.

Pouch cell hardware

Pouch cells are built from aluminum-laminated film with a stacked structure of polyamide outer layer, dry laminant, aluminum barrier, and inner polypropylene seal layer. We stock the laminate as pre-cut sheets for one-shot case forming and as rolls for users who slit and form their own cases. The matching tab hardware includes aluminum tabs for the positive terminal, nickel and titanium tabs for the negative side or aqueous chemistries, and aluminum strip rolls for users who fabricate custom-width tabs. DNP-style tab adhesive on rolls is the standard interface that hot-laminates the tab through the pouch seal area without leaking.

Cylindrical cell hardware

Cylindrical cases are nickel-plated carbon steel cans with matching caps, PP sealing gaskets, PET insulating rings, and a built-in PTC element that opens the circuit on overheating. We carry the common research formats - 14500, 18650, 21700, 26650, and the large-format 4680 - so cell-format studies can stay within one supplier's tolerance. PET strapping tape with acrylic adhesive is used to bundle jelly rolls and to insulate the can from the cap path during assembly.

Prismatic cell hardware

Prismatic cases are aluminum (Al3003-H14) cans paired with aluminum positive tabs and Ni/Cu negative tabs, plus an aluminum plug for laser-weld sealing. Aluminum is chosen for the combination of light weight, formability, corrosion resistance, and through-wall thermal conduction that this format relies on for heat management.

Choosing your hardware

Match the case family to your cell format first, then add the tabs, tab adhesive, and strapping tape that close out a full build kit. For the active materials that go inside, see Cathode Materials, Anode Materials, Electrolytes, and Separators; for the equipment that seals, crimps, and welds these parts, see Battery Equipment.