Lithium-ion batteries are found in many common devices. But under the right (or wrong) conditions, they can catch fire and even explode.

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

Lithium-ion batteries have a failure rate that is less than one in a million. The failure rate of a quality Li-ion cell is better than 1 in 10 million.

What makes lithium-ion batteries explode?

Lithium-ion batteries are inherently hazardous because they contain highly flammable solvents. ... However, if there are any problems with the thin plastic film, these solvents can combine to cause heat in a process called thermal runaway. This heat can in turn create pressure and eventually lead to a fire or explosion.