File:Lithium Thionyl Chloride Cells and Batteries Safety Data Sheet.pdf

Safety Data Sheet: Lithium Thionyl Chloride Cells and Batteries (Electrochem Solutions / Integer Holdings, US OSHA format, revision 1 May 2025).

The safety data sheet for the chemistry used in the 3.6 V half-AA memory-backup cells fitted to a great many vintage computers - the cells sold as ER14250, Tadiran TL-5101 / TL-5902 and Saft LS14250. Cited on this wiki for:

• the electrolyte is thionyl chloride (CAS 7719-09-7), 25-39 per cent of the cell by weight, and is corrosive;
• a vented or leaking cell releases toxic sulfur dioxide and causes burns to eyes, skin and mucous membranes;
• contaminated surfaces are to be neutralised with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), soda lime or equivalent - not with an acid;
• do not recharge, crush, pierce, short, directly heat or solder these cells, and do not put them in a fire;
• a cell that has been dropped or mechanically shocked should be isolated and watched for about five days for a delayed internal short and fire;
• on fire fighting: "use of water spray when fighting a lithium fire may be inefficient", although copious water may be used to cool a battery fire and put out surrounding combustible fires.

Electrochem Solutions published safety data sheet.

Copyright Electrochem Solutions / Integer Holdings Corporation. Safety data sheets are published for free distribution to users of the product; hosted here unmodified for reference. Not under a free licence.