"Corroded" blister pack of lithum cells - what's going on? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 03:59:02 pm
content: This is a weird effect - found this pack of CR2016's in one of my old stores of batteries. The whole pack is "corroded" though there's no obvious leakage from the cells. Most other cardboard/plastic blister packs of a similar age in the box are fine, but a few others are like this, and they all contain lithium cells.The cells from at least one pack seemed to test okay at 3V, and the cells are still theoretically "in date".Anyone know what is going on here?

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 04:24:09 pm
content: I would suggest they have been stored somewhere that is either damp or at least regularly so, and the "corrosion" is simply the cardboard breaking down.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 04:38:28 pm
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on August 14, 2023, 04:24:09 pmI thought the same at first, but there are cardboard blisters in the box that have not broken down (some Alkaline AA's I grabbed from the local Maplin's before they popped, over 5 years old) - so I had ruled it out as a possibility. I suppose it's not impossible that the cardboard on these cell packs is 'weaker' than the others but it's a peculiar coincidence that only the lithium coin cells have been impacted.

author: PwrElectronics
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 06:10:34 pm
content: First glance it looked like it got damp and had mold on it. If not, no idea.

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 08:04:48 pm
content: They leak gas, then. And it has effect on cardboard box. I think it's a throw out material.

author: audiotubes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 10:02:23 pm
content: Better in the package than in one of your devices.GP is about the worst possible brand of batteries. Guaranteed to leak.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 04:51:44 pm
content: Maybe it's recycled cardboard for those, and virgin cardboard for the ones that didn't dissolve?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 05:35:45 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on August 14, 2023, 04:38:28 pmIf those Alkalines haven't leaked after 5 years, they might actually be safe to use!

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 11:33:08 pm
content: Probably there's some additive used in making cardboard to prevent that from happening and to save some tiny amount of money they decided to leave it out.

author: SmokedComponent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 11:49:02 pm
content: Maybe one of those "baby-proof" batteries, covered with substance than gives them repulsive taste (and it leeched out)?I have such CR2032 Duracells.They do taste horrible!

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2023, 08:23:55 am
content: I'd rule out the cells - the main damage is not around the cells, but on the other half of the cardboard.But it really looks like water damage, or maybe a leaky alkaline - which would produce exactly that type of damage.