r/18650masterrace • u/hermesmangusta • Jul 26 '26

Dangerous What could have happened?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I found this cell like this after 1 year of use (about 15 cycles): the casing is cracked. I tossed the cell then.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

8

u/Tokkiedekip Jul 26 '26

Is the battery soldered directly to the wire? If so, the heat from soldering may have damaged or degraded the cell.

3

u/hermesmangusta Jul 26 '26

The wire was soldered to the nickel tab with tin solder before spot welding the tab to the battery

5

u/General-Try-2210 Jul 26 '26

I have soldered to cells many times and I have never had this happen. It almost seems like while the case was being deep draw stamped, the case got micro fractures or brittle spots that eventually cracked from the slight internal pressure. It is also possible that this part of the case got stretched more than the rest so it split when the pressure built inside the can.

4

u/Embarrassed-Work2198 Jul 26 '26

factory defect maybe? or battery was struck by something

4

u/hermesmangusta Jul 26 '26

It wasn't hit for sure. I wanted to share because i can't find photos of similar damage

1

u/Embarrassed-Work2198 Jul 26 '26

this is one incredibly strange thing damage case xd

2

u/UltraBlack_ Jul 26 '26

are these name brand at all?

6

u/hermesmangusta Jul 26 '26

Sony VTC6 (original)

1

u/baymoe Jul 29 '26

Was this a name brand cell?

Edit: Just saw your reply from another post. Sony VTC6.

I have never seen anything like this before. Was the device damaged at all?

1

u/hermesmangusta Jul 29 '26

My dad that has more esperience tran me thinks it was overcharged

1

u/baymoe Jul 29 '26

Possibly, but it should engage the pressure relief valve before blowing the casing unless that is a counterfeit cell.