NCM powders account for about 40% of the cost of raw materials in battery manufacturing, largely due to the price of cobalt. At the same time, the growing demand for batteries in a range of applications has exponentially increased the specificity of these powders.
Contaminants like aluminum from the heat processing reactor or metallic particles from coating processes or powder handling lower the quality of NCM powders in dangerous ways. These small, conductive particles can short circuit electrodes and cause fires.
Together, the expense, performance demands, and potential hazards associated with these powders make it necessary to extensively characterize NCM particles to prove they meet application requirements.
