Aluminum Hydroxide: A Foundational Material for New Energy Safety

The new energy sector—think lithium batteries, energy storage systems—is growing fast. But with that growth comes a big challenge: the risk of fires and thermal runaway. This is a core safety issue the whole industry has to solve.

That's where Aluminum Hydroxide (or ATH) comes in. It's a type of inorganic flame retardant. Because it's both highly effective and environmentally friendly, it's becoming a key material for making the entire new energy supply chain safer.

So, what's special about flame retardants for new energy?

The requirements here are much tougher. First, these materials have to handle severe thermal runaway risks from high-density batteries. They also need to be compatible with sensitive electrochemical systems—so they can't interfere with performance. On top of that, they must last for years in harsh outdoor conditions. Finally, global regulations are pushing hard against traditional, halogen-based retardants; so new solutions need to be low-smoke and non-toxic.

Why is Aluminum Hydroxide a good fit?

Compared to other options, ATH has some clear, practical advantages:

It's inherently safe and "green." When it works to stop fire, it only releases water vapor and inert alumina. This means it's completely halogen-free, low-smoke, and non-toxic. Therefore, it easily meets strict environmental standards.

It does more than one job. Besides its core flame-retardant function, it also suppresses smoke, acts as a filler, and improves electrical insulation. So, it boosts the overall performance of the composite material it's added to.

It's cost-effective. The raw materials are common and widely available. This gives it a clear cost advantage, which is important for large-scale industrial use.

Where is it actually being used?

You'll find ATH in several critical spots:

In Lithium Batteries: It's used as an additive in electrode coatings, separators, or in the module's potting compounds and plastic housings. This creates a passive fire barrier—first inside the cell, and then at the module level—which helps slow down the spread of heat if something goes wrong.

In Energy Storage Systems (ESS): It's used in the inner lining of storage cabinets, in battery compartment panels, and in cable sheathing. The goal is to contain a failure in one battery unit, so it doesn't turn into a full system fire.

In Charging Infrastructure: It's the key material for making "Low Smoke Zero Halogen" (LSZH) parts. This includes charging pile housings, charging gun connectors, and high-voltage cables—all crucial for safe charging.

In Photovoltaics and Hydrogen: Engineers use it to improve the flame resistance and long-term durability of materials like photovoltaic backsheets, junction boxes, and even components for hydrogen storage and transport.

What's next for this material?

The main historical challenge with ATH has been that you often need to use a lot of it, which can weaken the plastic's mechanical properties. However, the industry is working on smart fixes. For example, we can modify its surface to improve compatibility with polymers. We can also make it superfine, which means you need less of it to be effective. Another approach is to combine it with other retardants like Magnesium Hydroxide; together, they create a synergistic system that works better.

Looking ahead, ATH won't just be a simple additive. Instead, it will be part of a complete, system-level safety design. We'll likely see more specialized ATH composites made for specific uses—like solid-state batteries or massive grid-scale storage stations. Furthermore, when we combine it with smart thermal management systems, we can build a stronger safety architecture. This moves us from just "preventing problems with materials" to "actively controlling risks with systems."

In short:

Aluminum Hydroxide is finding a vital new role in the new energy age. It's a practical, safe, and economical choice. Because of this, it's not just a fix for immediate problems like battery safety; it's also a foundational material that supports the industry's broader shift toward sustainability and safety. Think of it as a reliable, silent guardian for the global transition to cleaner energy.