Mechanical Properties of Macromolecular Separators for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Nanoindentation Experiment

High tensile strength and toughness play an important role in improving the mechanical performance of separator films, such as resistance to external force, improving service life, etc. In this study, a nanoindentation experiment is performed to investigate the mechanical properties of two types of separators for LIBs based on the grid nanoindentation method. During the indentation experiment, the “sink-in” phenomenon is observed around the indenter when plastic deformation of the specimen occurs. The “sink-in” area of the polyethylene (PE) separator is larger than that of the polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene (PP/PE/PP) separator, i.e., the plastic area of the PE separator is larger than that of the PP/PE/PP separator. In order to select a suitable method to evaluate the hardness and elastic modulus of these separators for LIBs, three theoretical methods, including the Oliver–Pharr method, the indentation work method, and the fitting curve method, are used for analysis and comparison in this study. The results obtained by the fitting curve method are more reasonable and accurate, which not only avoids the problem of the large contact area obtained by the Oliver–Pharr method, but also avoids the influence caused by the large fitting data of the displacement–force curve and the inaccuracy of using the maximum displacement obtained by the indentation method. In addition, the obstruction ability of the PP/PE/PP separator to locally resist external load pressed into its surface and to resist micro particles, such as fine metal powder, that can enter the lithium-ion battery during the manufacturing process is greater than that of the PE separator. This research provides guidance for studying the mechanical properties and exploring the estimation method of macromolecular separators for LIBs.