An IMR battery is a round shape lithium-ion manganese or Li-MN (lithium manganese) battery. IMR is the battery’s product code, with I standing for the anode, M for the cathode, and R for the round shape (I = lithium-ion, M = manganese oxide cathode, R = round cell type). During production, manufacturers provide each product with a product code by which that product is acknowledged on the market.
These days, IMR batteries are very popular due to their many uses, and you will find many different types of IMR batteries on the market. Here you will find detailed information on what is an IMR battery, its use, advantages and disadvantages, and much more.
Construction And Working Of An IMR Battery
IMR batteries are one sort of lithium-ion battery. The main difference between an IMR battery and a standard lithium-ion battery is that lithium-ion rechargeable batteries use Cobalt Oxide as an electrolyte in their cells, whereas IMR batteries use Manganese Oxide.
IMR batteries have an anode and a cathode, much like any other battery. In this case, lithium is used as anode Manganese Oxide as a cathode. The electrolyte of the battery transports positive charges from anode to cathode. In the anode, the motion of lithium ions generates free electrons, which cause the current to flow.
Types Of IMR Battery
Lithium batteries are produced in a variety of forms and sizes, to ensure compatibility with a variety of devices. As IMR batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery, they are widely available in all of the most common Lithium battery sizes, including 18650, 14500, and 16340. As a result, users can easily use IMR batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries.
18650 IMR Battery
The IMR 18650 battery is a rechargeable lithium manganese high-drain battery. It has a capacity of 2500mAh and can deliver up to 3.7-volt output power. Its power consumption rate is 9.25 Wh (watt-hour).
They are typically used to power small electronic gadgets including vaping devices, flashlights, smartwatches, computers, cell phones, and even certain electric cars.
14500 IMR Battery
The 14500 IMR Battery is specially designed for high-drain gadgets such as the Nitecore EA11, high-powered LED search and rescue lights, and military spotlights.
Its nominal output voltage is 3.7 volts, however, it has the ability to produce up to 4.2 volts. Its dimensions are 14.2mm x 52.9mm, and it weighs only 21.16g. And it has a power capacity of 850mAh which is enough for a normal device.
16340 IMR Battery
The 16340 IMR Battery is widely used as a replacement for the popular CR123A lithium-ion battery. It has a 3.6-volt output voltage and a 650mAh capacity. And it weighs slightly less than a 18650 or 14500 battery, which is 0.617 oz or 17.5g and has a diameter of 0.6″ (16mm)
Lithium-ion batteries of this type are commonly found in high-performance spotlights and other small portable power pack devices.
Is It Safe To Use an IMR Battery?
In most cases, IMR batteries do not provide safety or protection circuits. As a result, the user worries whether IMR batteries are safe to use.
Nevertheless, the answer is “YES” because the internal resistance (Rf) of an IMR battery remains lower than that of a cobalt battery over a lengthy period of time. This low resistance makes an IMR battery safer than a cobalt battery cell. Also, the IMR battery is safer than any other lithium-ion battery because of its smooth discharge and recharge rate.
The Benefits And Drawbacks Of IMR Batteries
Because of the multiple benefits of IMR batteries, they are rapidly used in a wide range of products, including small electrical devices, laptops, vehicles, smartphones, and a variety of other applications. Like all other batteries, it has some disadvantages too.
Pros Of IMR Battery
- The energy density of the IMR battery is very high.
- The self-discharge rate of IMR batteries is lower than other rechargeable battery cells. In most cases, this rate is roughly five percent (5%) in the first four hours after becoming fully charged.
- IMR batteries need minimal maintenance than other lithium-ion batteries.
- IMR batteries come in a number of shapes and sizes, making them suitable for a wide range of electronic devices.
Cons Of IMR Battery
- IMR batteries have no safety circuit inbuilt so they must be protected from overcharging and fully discharging.
- One of the biggest drawbacks of IMR batteries consumers complain about is aging. You can charge and discharge them up to 500-1000 times.
- Another downside of IMR batteries is their price. They are almost 40% more expensive than conventional batteries, such as nickel-cadmium battery cells.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Q: What does IMR stand for on the label of batteries?
Answer: IMR stands for Lithium-Ion Manganese Rechargeable battery that is also known as lithium manganese battery cell.
Q: How often do IMR batteries last?
Answer: An IMR 18650 battery has a four-month life cycle. Generally, a four-month warranty is included with these batteries.
Q: Do IMR batteries explode?
Answer: They rarely explode, but because they don’t have built-in protection systems, they can occasionally explode due to overcharging.
Q: What are the uses of 18650 batteries?
Answer: They are mainly used in mobile phones, torches, smartwatches, computers, and even some electric vehicles.
Conclusion
We know that IMR and other Lithium-ion batteries are quite similar, yet IMR batteries have a different chemical makeup than other Li-ion cells. This chemical composition makes IMR batteries safer, with a decreased risk of overheating.
If you’re thinking of getting a new battery, an IMR battery should prove to be an excellent investment. In this informative post, I describe IMR batteries, their use, advantages, and disadvantages. Prior to writing this post, I have conducted extensive research to help you find the best IMR solution for your electric device.
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