What causes a battery to become "spicy" in the first place?

Physical damage, manufacturing defects, and age are all potential causes of swelling. When charging and discharging, a chemical reaction takes place between the molecules in the battery. Sometimes in old or damaged cells, the reaction can't be completed correctly, so instead, a flammable and toxic gas is created which causes the cell to expand. In damaged cells, the separators between the layers of the battery can break down causing swelling or fire.

My battery is swollen. What now?

First, don’t panic. Just having a swollen battery is not particularly dangerous: it’s when it is punctured or otherwise damaged that it becomes a danger.

That said, try not charge the device and do not use the device as it may become dangerous at any time. If you are not comfortable with removing the battery yourself, take it to a local electronics repair shop or to someone who knows what they are doing. Outside or in a well-ventilated area and away from combustible materials, carefully remove the battery from the device and place it in a fireproof container. A bucket of sand is ideal.

Do not throw the cell away. Lithium batteries contain hazardous materials and even when not damaged should not be thrown in the garbage. Contact a local hazardous material disposal center or e-waste facility to find a place near you to bring the battery. Your city or local government may also have resources to dispose of them. In some jurisdictions, disposing of lithium batteries in household trash is prohibited by law.

How dangerous is it to keep a swollen battery?

As long as proper precautions are taken, it is not incredibly dangerous. There are many safety measures put into batteries to make them as safe as possible. Even though a battery is swollen, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a ticking time bomb. As long as it is kept away from heat and left undamaged, it is unlikely to catch fire or vent gas. The gas that is vented is very flammable and toxic, so avoid damaging the cell.

What happens if my battery gets punctured?

A puncture can cause the battery to swell, vent gas, or catch fire. If you have a punctured battery, store it in a fireproof container in a well-ventilated area and dispose of it safely as soon as possible.. The gas that these batteries give off if punctured is toxic and flammable. The fire that can be produced is considered Class B, so keep a Class ABC or BC fire extinguisher on hand in case of fire. Contact a local hazardous material disposal center or e-waste facility to see what disposal options are available in your area.

Useful Resources:

IFIXIT Swollen Battery Guide

IFIXIT E-Waste Information Guide

"By Appointment Only"

Finally decided to check some profiles out of my fav artists and this looks so cool! Hopefully even more artists adopt such custom styling.