A battery explosion is a disasterous event caused by the misuse or malfunction of a battery, such as the recharging of a non-rechargerable battery.
Battery explosions are most likely to occur with car batteries where a short circuit of which can generate currents of high magnitude. A short circuit malfunction in a battery placed in parallel with other batteries will cause its neighbour to discharge its maximum current into the faulty cell, leading to overheating and possible explosion.
When a non-rechargeable battery is recharged at a high rate, an explosive gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen may be produced faster than it can escape from within the walls of the battery, leading to pressure build-up and a possible explosion.
Additionally, disposing of a battery in fire may cause an explosion.
