Lithium Thionyl Chloride Cell Safety Data Sheet
The manufacturer safety data sheet (Electrochem Solutions, US OSHA format, revision 1 May 2025) for lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) primary cells - the chemistry of the 3.6 V half-AA memory-backup cell fitted to an enormous number of vintage computers, sold as ER14250 and as Tadiran TL-5101 / TL-5902 and Saft LS14250.
This matters because a 3.6 V half-AA lithium cell is not the same thing as a CR2032, and the clean-up is not the same either.
What is in it
[edit | edit source]- 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. Thionyl chloride has an occupational ceiling limit of 0.2-1 ppm.
- Neutralise contaminated surfaces with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or soda lime. The hydrolysis products are acidic, so vinegar is exactly the wrong thing to reach for.
- 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 resulting fire.
- On fire fighting: "use of water spray when fighting a lithium fire may be inefficient", though copious water may be used to cool a battery fire and extinguish surrounding combustible fires.
Download: Lithium Thionyl Chloride Cells and Batteries Safety Data Sheet.pdf