A new flexible, flame-resistant nonwoven fabric called LASTAN has been introduced by the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei with the goal of enhancing the safety of EV batteries. For usage in battery top covers, busbar protective sleeves, and other EV battery applications, LASTAN offers an improved thermal runaway protection option compared to conventional materials.
Materials with good insulating qualities are in greater demand as the necessity for impact- and flame-resistant materials in EV battery covers increases. Presently, mineral-based materials are frequently employed to prevent thermal runaway, but automakers find it difficult to manufacture them since they are heavy, brittle, and difficult to shape.
An acrylic fiber is heated to 200–300°C to make LASTAN, a non-mineral flame-retardant fabric. It has exceptional electrical insulation and flame resistance, which are further increased by a unique coating that increases its longevity. Because of this, it is very effective in preventing particle effects from gases venting. Due to its dependability in averting malfunctions and guaranteeing security, LASTAN has been used for a very long time in a variety of sectors.
In addition to being flame resistant, LASTAN offers electrical insulation up to 3.5 kV at 1 mm thickness and can tolerate high-pressure impacts from particles as small as 200–500 µm. Additionally, it is quite flexible and holds its qualities even in 0.8 mm thin sheets, which makes it simple to work with common tools and streamline manufacturing processes.
