Hey FC,
I know there's other threads dedicated to batteries, but upon searching within, didn't find any notes on offgassing. If I missed them, please direct me! (and Mods, please delete this thread if one already exists).
Has it been discussed whether or not 18650s offgas under normal use, or if pushed to the extreme?
I've researched a bit and found... "
The gas released by a venting Li-ion cell is mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). Other gases that form through heating are vaporized electrolyte consisting of ethylene and/or propylene. Burning gases also include combustion products of organic solvents."
Ethylene glycol is the major ingredient of almost all radiator fluid products in the United States. It is used to increase the boiling point and decrease the freezing point of radiator fluid, which circulates through the automotive radiator. These changes to the boiling and freezing points result from the colligative properties of the solute (ie, they depend on the number of particles in the solution). Hence, ethylene glycol is added to prevent the radiator from overheating or freezing, depending on the season.
Initially, patients with ethylene glycol intoxication may be asymptomatic; with time they will develop altered mental status and dyspnea. The classic laboratory profile is an early osmolar gap that later transitions to an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Initial treatment includes infusion of crystalloids to enhance renal clearance of the toxic metabolites.
Propylene glycol (often referred to as PG) is the third “product” in a chemical process beginning with propene, a byproduct of fossil fuel (oil refining and natural gas processing) and also found in nature as a byproduct of fermentation. Propene is converted to propylene oxide, a volatile compound used frequently in the creation process of polyurethane plastics (and to create propylene glycol). Propylene oxide is considered a “probable carcinogen.” Finally, through a hydrolyzation process (separating molecules by the addition of water), you get propylene glycol.
It’s certainly less dangerous than, for example,
ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical compound still used in many types of antifreeze and other household products. Ethylene glycol is considered poisonous and sometimes ingested (purposefully or by accident), requiring immediate medical attention. Because of its sweet taste, ethylene glycol in antifreeze has been responsible for the deaths of many household pets who would lap it up when it collected on the ground. When propylene glycol is used in antifreeze products in place of ethylene glycol, it’s considered “non-toxic antifreeze.”
That doesn’t necessarily quell concerns, however. Many people are extremely concerned by the presence of an ingredient in antifreeze (one that’s used to deice airplanes, no less) in their food, which has sparked uproar in recent years, especially when three European countries pulled a popular alcoholic drink off the shelves for an illegal level of propylene glycol. (
1) The mix-up apparently occurred when the company sent the North American formula instead of the European formula, which contains six times less propylene glycol.
For me, safety has always ranked #1! So even on the chance that this could happen when only using cheap 18650s, I'm gonna pass. These batteries get somewhere between warm and hot during use. So, are they sitting in your vaporizer's air path? Does the plastic wrap, ink used in the label, or other substances on the outside of the battery bleed off into your air path? Not gonna chance it.
How many of you use the highest quality batteries they can find? Or do you order yours by color, or off-brand best-priced cheapies? If your vape came with these batteries, do you think they were top quality or best cost for the vendor?
Either way, something to think about, discuss, maybe even argue a bit!
Off to have a session with a VapCap M... lean, mean and "CLEAN" machine!
Let the games begin!
