UN38.3 Testing
Certification for Lithium Batteries

The 6NAPSE Group carries out UN 38.3 testing for the approval of lithium-ion batteries transportation.

The transport of lithium batteries, designated as “hazardous material” by the United Nations, involves regulations. This concerns both lithium metal (UN3090 and UN3091 – hazard category 9) and lithium ion (UN3480 and UN30481 – hazard category 9).

Whatever the type of transport of the battery (isolated or integrated in a system), it is imperative to guarantee its safety regulated by national and international agreements. This is why its transport (by air, rail, sea or road) must comply with the provisions of the UN38.3 standard. The protocol includes the identification and classification of lithium batteries; testing and qualification requirements; design guidelines and requirements; and packaging and shipping requirements.

A UN38.3 test report for the validation of the lithium battery is therefore a prerequisite for international transport.

UN 38.3 test report – transport of Lithium Batteries

The 6NAPSE Group offers tests that meet UN38.3 certification:

• T1 – Altitude test: simulation of air transport under conditions of low pressure, temperature variation.
• T2 – Thermal test: simulation of rapid and extreme variations in temperature changes ranging from -2°C to +75°C
• T3 – Vibration test: simulation of different types of vibrations to which the battery may be subjected during transport
• T4 – Shock test: simulation of the impacts to which the battery may be subjected during transport
• T5 – Short circuit test: simulation of external short circuits
• T6 – Impact test: simulation of an impact with a given mass
• T7 – Overload test: simulation of a battery overcharge and evaluation of its reaction to this overcharge.
• T8 – Forced discharge test: test of the ability of the battery to withstand a forced discharge

The 6NAPSE Group laboratories are also able to perform lithium assays on active electrode materials (in the form of powders or shavings) found in batteries.

Our electric battery tests

The 6NAPSE Group carries out the validation of electric batteries according to your needs:

• Vibration testing: assessment of the ability of electrical energy storage to withstand vibrations that would occur in the living environment or during transport
• Mechanical testing: determination of the resistance to mechanical shocks that may occur in the use of the equipment
• Altitude testing: simulation of pressure variations in air transport
• Impact testing: impact resistance of a material, component, part or packaging during transport
• Drop test: evaluation of the resistance to falls that may occur during installation in the switchgear
• Salt spray corrosion testing: characterization of the resistance of electrical energy storage under salt spray conditions (cycled BS possible)
• Thermal shock testing: identification of the assembly’s ability to withstand rapid temperature variations
• IP sealing tests: verification of sealing according to the protection index (IPXX)
• Chemical resistance testing
• Chemical analysis and elemental determination of lithium
• Tailor-made tests according to your protocol

6NAPSE Group assets

• Possibility of testing on large parts
• Complete validation plan (support for all tests of a standard)