What Is IMR Battery and How Is It Made 

With batteries ruling the world running our everyday devices and vehicles, it is not a question but an urgency that you learn about them too.

There are different types of batteries in the world. Not all of them are made with the same chemistry. And also their functions are different. No wonder you cannot use a car battery in your smartphone.

Talking about smartphones, smaller gadgets nowadays have moved on from lithium polymer batteries to lithium-ion batteries. Which is more convenient, safe, and reliable.

But there is also one alternative to the traditional lithium-ion cobalt oxide batteries. It is the lesser-known IMR battery. 

What is an IMR battery though? We will go into the deep and explain what it is, its function, its advantages, and its drawbacks in this article.

What Is IMR Battery and How Is It Made 

The IMR battery simply means Lithium-ion Manganese Rechargeable battery. They use Manganese oxide instead of other chemical compounds like cobalt oxide or cadmium. 

Li-MN batteries come with a high discharge rate, which makes them more powerful in terms of performance. Though they lack capacity, they can recharge faster than any Li-Cad battery.

As they have a faster charging rate and higher discharge rate, they can even perform better under low temperatures. 

If you are thinking about the shape of the battery and its compatibility, you will find them in 16340,18650, and 14500 sizes. So they are compatible with any lithium battery.

One thing they fall short of is in their dimension. They are much thicker than any other battery. Being at 18mm thickness, they tend to not fit in every device. So check your battery compartment before buying them.

The Benefits of IMR Battery

There are significant benefits of using IMR batteries. They are reliable, and efficient and can provide you with the same charge throughout their cycle. 

Here are a few benefits of using an IMR battery.

• The high discharge rate makes them a great power source for power-hungry devices like flashlights, camera lights, and electronic e-cigs. 
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• As they discharge fast, this means they need to be charged more often. The IMR battery also charges faster than other batteries. 
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• Although their high discharge rate, the internal temperature of an IMR battery doesn’t rise to an unsafe state. This makes them usable in sensitive devices too.
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• IMR batteries have a high tolerance level to any atmosphere. So there is now worrying about the temperature when you are using one.
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• Low internal resistance is another benefit of an IMR battery. Even if they charge faster, they don’t tend to heat up as much.
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• Most batteries leak or vent when they are internally damaged. IMR batteries don’t do any of those, making it safe to stay in your device for a longer time. 

Is It Safe to Use an IMR Battery?

There is the concern of a battery being dangerous if they have a high discharge rate. But with an IMR battery, it cuts down to half. There are fewer instances that they malfunctioned or exploded.

One thing you have to mind is about charging your IMR battery. As they have a low internal resistance, you cannot leave them on a charge with normal battery chargers. It is not right to use a flimsy charger with any rechargeable battery.

A smart charger would be the best thing to get for your battery. So when it is fully charged, the charger turns off charging by itself. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of battery is IMR 18650?

IMR 18650 battery is a Lithium manganese oxide rechargeable battery. The 18650 is the model and size of the battery. It fits different types of electronic devices. Although IMR batteries have less capacity than any other lithium-ion battery, they have a high discharge rate, making them a great power source for power-hungry devices like photography lights, vape devices, etc.

What is the difference between ICR and IMR batteries?

The main difference between an ICR and an IMR battery is their chemical build. ICR batteries are made of lithium cobalt oxide while IMR batteries are made of lithium manganese oxide. At the same time, ICR batteries have a slow discharge rate and a high power capacity. This makes them run any device for a long period. IMR batteries on the other hand have a higher discharge rate and a lower capacity. This makes them run a device for a short time. But due to their high discharge rate, they are recommended for high power consumption devices. 

How long do IMR batteries last?

Depending on your device usage and power consumption, an IMR battery will last from a few hours to 2 days at the top. An IMR battery has a life span of 4 months. It can excel if taken properly care of and recharged accordingly.

How to charge an IMR battery?

To charge your IMR battery, you use an external battery charger. Make sure they are one of the high-quality battery chargers. Otherwise, the charger might keep on charging the battery even after it is fully charged which will damage the battery cell.

Conclusion

IMR batteries are a great addition to any device that requires constant power output at a high voltage. As they have a high power output capacity, they work well with this device. ICR batteries have higher capacity but fail in giving high capacity output. So if you have one of those devices, going for an IMR battery would be the smart option. Also, IMR batteries charge faster than ICR batteries.