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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Guichard, Pierrick, Mathieu, Benoit, Woillez, Eric
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.02879
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author Guichard, Pierrick
Mathieu, Benoit
Woillez, Eric
author_facet Guichard, Pierrick
Mathieu, Benoit
Woillez, Eric
contents Beyond active material intrinsic properties, the electrode manufacturing process is a crucial step to reach high energy density and long-life of Li-ion batteries. In particular, very high pressures are applied to the electrode during the calendering step, that directly influence the microstructure and the electrochemical performances. This article reports the first calendering simulation of a NMC cathode using a finite element method (FEM), including the post-fracturation behaviour of the secondary NMC particles. Calibrated with nano-indentation experiments, the mechanical model provides stress-strain predictions fully consistent with experimental data. On assemblies up to 100 particles, simulations reveal three calendering regimes along compression: particle rearrangement, moderatepressure fracturing, and complete crushing. The model shows the strong sensitivity of the electrode microstructure to the calendering pressure level, and can thus be used as a guidance in the multi-criteria optimization of the manufacturing process.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_02879
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Finite Element Simulation of NMC Particle Fracture during Calendering: a Route to Optimize Electrode Microstructures
Guichard, Pierrick
Mathieu, Benoit
Woillez, Eric
Materials Science
Beyond active material intrinsic properties, the electrode manufacturing process is a crucial step to reach high energy density and long-life of Li-ion batteries. In particular, very high pressures are applied to the electrode during the calendering step, that directly influence the microstructure and the electrochemical performances. This article reports the first calendering simulation of a NMC cathode using a finite element method (FEM), including the post-fracturation behaviour of the secondary NMC particles. Calibrated with nano-indentation experiments, the mechanical model provides stress-strain predictions fully consistent with experimental data. On assemblies up to 100 particles, simulations reveal three calendering regimes along compression: particle rearrangement, moderatepressure fracturing, and complete crushing. The model shows the strong sensitivity of the electrode microstructure to the calendering pressure level, and can thus be used as a guidance in the multi-criteria optimization of the manufacturing process.
title Finite Element Simulation of NMC Particle Fracture during Calendering: a Route to Optimize Electrode Microstructures
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.02879