PFA Battery Test Cell – 2-Electrode, 1/4″
Compact 1/4″ two-electrode battery test cell for controlled electrochemical evaluation of battery and electrode materials. Its reusable PFA architecture combines direct access to the test stack, spring-assisted mechanical compression and interchangeable SS316, aluminium or titanium plungers, with a recommended electrode diameter up to Ø6.3 mm.
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Reusable PFA battery test cell for two-electrode measurements
The S4R 1/4″ two-electrode battery test cell is a reusable laboratory platform for controlled electrochemical evaluation of battery and electrode materials. It combines a PFA body, interchangeable metallic plungers, spring-assisted stack compression and direct electrical access through the plungers.
The 1/4″ format limits the quantity of active material and electrolyte required per experiment while preserving full access to the internal stack for assembly, electrode recovery, cleaning and post-test inspection.
Engineered for repeatable electrochemical testing
A reusable platform designed for controlled stack contact, low material consumption and direct two-terminal electrochemical measurement.
Chemically resistant PFA body
A fully fluorinated, electrically insulating body suited to a wide range of aqueous and non-aqueous laboratory electrolyte systems.
Reproducible stack compression
An internal spring maintains contact across the stack as the assembly relaxes or changes dimension during cycling.
Three plunger materials
SS316, aluminium or titanium current collectors, selected to match the chemistry and potential window of the experiment.
Reusable and serviceable
The cell can be fully disassembled for inspection, cleaning and servicing without discarding the complete assembly.
PFA body for chemically demanding electrochemical systems
The cell incorporates a PFA body component manufactured by Swagelok Company within an independently assembled S4R battery-test architecture. PFA is a fully fluorinated polymer valued for broad chemical resistance, low surface energy and electrical insulation, which makes it suitable for many aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte systems used in laboratory electrochemistry.
The nominal 1/4″ internal format accommodates electrodes up to Ø 6.3 mm as recommended for this configuration. The body can be fully disassembled, giving direct access to the internal stack for sample installation, electrode recovery, cleaning and inspection of the compression and sealing components between experiments.
Interchangeable metallic plungers
The plungers provide electrical contact to the electrode stack while also transmitting the mechanical load generated by the internal compression assembly. Their material therefore acts as both current collector and structural component, and is selected according to the chemistry and potential window of the experiment.
Spring-loaded compression and stack adjustment
The internal spring applies a preload to the stack and helps maintain mechanical and electrical contact between the electrodes, the separator or electrolyte layer and the metallic interfaces as the assembly relaxes or changes dimension during cycling. Maintaining reproducible contact removes one source of variation in measured cell resistance.
Removable spacers set the working length of the assembly, allowing the cell to accommodate different stack thicknesses within the geometric limits of the 1/4″ configuration.
PFA compression-ferrule sealing
Each side uses a PFA compression nut and ferrule assembly corresponding to the body component. Tightening the nut compresses the ferrule around the plunger, providing the mechanical seal while retaining the plunger at the position established during assembly.
Electrical connection and two-electrode geometry
Each metallic plunger contains a transverse Ø 2.0 mm connection port for standard 2 mm banana plugs, allowing direct connection to a potentiostat, battery cycler or impedance analyser using conventional laboratory leads. The two connections are located on opposite plungers and remain outside the sealed cell volume, so each terminal is accessed independently without an internal electrical feedthrough.
In this two-electrode geometry, the working and counter electrodes form the complete electrochemical cell. The measured cell voltage corresponds to the potential difference between the two plungers and therefore includes the polarisation of both electrodes together with the ohmic and interfacial contributions of the complete assembly.
This configuration suits full-cell, half-cell, symmetric-cell and related two-terminal measurements where the overall cell response is the quantity of interest. Where the potential of a single electrode must be resolved independently, a three-electrode cell with a separate reference electrode is required.
Built for comparative experimental series
Plunger material, stack thickness and compression arrangement can be changed while retaining the same body and nominal geometry. A single cell therefore supports a series of comparative experiments in which the hardware contribution to the measured response remains constant.
Because the assembly is serviceable, a damaged sealing component or a contaminated contact surface can be addressed independently without replacing the complete cell. This supports repeated experimental series while keeping the main cell hardware in service.
For related test architectures, the 1/2″ PFA two-electrode battery test cell provides a larger working format, the 1/4″ PFA three-electrode battery test cell adds a third independently accessible contact, and the 1/4″ SS316 two-electrode battery test cell provides a stainless-steel body alternative.
Reference dimensions
The original S4R technical drawing is retained to preserve the detailed geometry of the assembled cell. The reference values below summarize the dimensions most relevant to installation and electrode selection.
Technical specifications
Reference data for the 1/4″ two-electrode PFA battery test cell.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cell type | Reusable PFA battery test cell, two-electrode configuration |
| Nominal format | 1/4″ |
| Useful internal diameter | 1/4″ (6.35 mm) |
| Recommended max. electrode diameter | Ø 6.3 mm |
| Maximum stack thickness | 5 mm |
| Maximum validated temperature | 100 °C |
| Body material | PFA body component (Swagelok) with PFA compression hardware |
| Sealing system | PFA compression nuts and ferrules |
| Plunger materials | SS316, aluminium or titanium, according to the selected configuration |
| Compression system | Internal spring with removable adjustment spacers |
| Electrical connection | Transverse Ø 2.0 mm port on each plunger, for standard 2 mm banana plugs |
| Reference electrode | Not provided; two-electrode configuration only |
| Overall dimensions | 86 mm length, 18.5 mm across hex nut corners |
| Construction | Fully disassemblable for sample loading, cleaning and component replacement |
| Typical applications | Battery-material screening, full-cell and half-cell studies, symmetric-cell testing, cycling and impedance measurements |
Included components
Supplied as a complete assembly, according to the selected plunger configuration.
Selecting and operating this configuration
Can this cell be used with a reference electrode?
No. This is a two-electrode cell and does not provide an independent reference-electrode connection. Measurements requiring the potential of a single electrode to be resolved separately need the three-electrode version of the same 1/4″ architecture.
Which plunger material should be selected?
SS316 is the general-purpose choice and the standard configuration. Aluminium and titanium are selected when the chemistry or potential window of the experiment calls for a different current-collector behaviour. The plungers act as current collectors, so this choice contributes directly to the measured response.
Is the stack pressure defined or adjustable?
The internal spring applies a preload that maintains contact across the stack, and spacers set the working length of the assembly. The cell does not include instrumentation for measuring or setting a specified stack pressure, and is not intended as a calibrated pressure fixture.
How is the cell prepared between experiments?
The cell is fully disassembled for electrode recovery and cleaning. Plunger contact faces are cleaned each time, and the ferrules and other sealing parts are inspected for deformation or damage and replaced when required.
Before use
Reusable PFA battery test cell for two-electrode measurements
The S4R 1/4″ two-electrode battery test cell is a reusable laboratory platform for controlled electrochemical evaluation of battery and electrode materials. It combines a PFA body, interchangeable metallic plungers, spring-assisted stack compression and direct electrical access through the plungers.
The 1/4″ format limits the quantity of active material and electrolyte required per experiment while preserving full access to the internal stack for assembly, electrode recovery, cleaning and post-test inspection.
Engineered for repeatable electrochemical testing
A reusable platform designed for controlled stack contact, low material consumption and direct two-terminal electrochemical measurement.
Chemically resistant PFA body
A fully fluorinated, electrically insulating body suited to a wide range of aqueous and non-aqueous laboratory electrolyte systems.
Reproducible stack compression
An internal spring maintains contact across the stack as the assembly relaxes or changes dimension during cycling.
Three plunger materials
SS316, aluminium or titanium current collectors, selected to match the chemistry and potential window of the experiment.
Reusable and serviceable
The cell can be fully disassembled for inspection, cleaning and servicing without discarding the complete assembly.
PFA body for chemically demanding electrochemical systems
The cell incorporates a PFA body component manufactured by Swagelok Company within an independently assembled S4R battery-test architecture. PFA is a fully fluorinated polymer valued for broad chemical resistance, low surface energy and electrical insulation, which makes it suitable for many aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte systems used in laboratory electrochemistry.
The nominal 1/4″ internal format accommodates electrodes up to Ø 6.3 mm as recommended for this configuration. The body can be fully disassembled, giving direct access to the internal stack for sample installation, electrode recovery, cleaning and inspection of the compression and sealing components between experiments.
Interchangeable metallic plungers
The plungers provide electrical contact to the electrode stack while also transmitting the mechanical load generated by the internal compression assembly. Their material therefore acts as both current collector and structural component, and is selected according to the chemistry and potential window of the experiment.
Spring-loaded compression and stack adjustment
The internal spring applies a preload to the stack and helps maintain mechanical and electrical contact between the electrodes, the separator or electrolyte layer and the metallic interfaces as the assembly relaxes or changes dimension during cycling. Maintaining reproducible contact removes one source of variation in measured cell resistance.
Removable spacers set the working length of the assembly, allowing the cell to accommodate different stack thicknesses within the geometric limits of the 1/4″ configuration.
PFA compression-ferrule sealing
Each side uses a PFA compression nut and ferrule assembly corresponding to the body component. Tightening the nut compresses the ferrule around the plunger, providing the mechanical seal while retaining the plunger at the position established during assembly.
Electrical connection and two-electrode geometry
Each metallic plunger contains a transverse Ø 2.0 mm connection port for standard 2 mm banana plugs, allowing direct connection to a potentiostat, battery cycler or impedance analyser using conventional laboratory leads. The two connections are located on opposite plungers and remain outside the sealed cell volume, so each terminal is accessed independently without an internal electrical feedthrough.
In this two-electrode geometry, the working and counter electrodes form the complete electrochemical cell. The measured cell voltage corresponds to the potential difference between the two plungers and therefore includes the polarisation of both electrodes together with the ohmic and interfacial contributions of the complete assembly.
This configuration suits full-cell, half-cell, symmetric-cell and related two-terminal measurements where the overall cell response is the quantity of interest. Where the potential of a single electrode must be resolved independently, a three-electrode cell with a separate reference electrode is required.
Built for comparative experimental series
Plunger material, stack thickness and compression arrangement can be changed while retaining the same body and nominal geometry. A single cell therefore supports a series of comparative experiments in which the hardware contribution to the measured response remains constant.
Because the assembly is serviceable, a damaged sealing component or a contaminated contact surface can be addressed independently without replacing the complete cell. This supports repeated experimental series while keeping the main cell hardware in service.
For related test architectures, the 1/2″ PFA two-electrode battery test cell provides a larger working format, the 1/4″ PFA three-electrode battery test cell adds a third independently accessible contact, and the 1/4″ SS316 two-electrode battery test cell provides a stainless-steel body alternative.
Reference dimensions
The original S4R technical drawing is retained to preserve the detailed geometry of the assembled cell. The reference values below summarize the dimensions most relevant to installation and electrode selection.
Technical specifications
Reference data for the 1/4″ two-electrode PFA battery test cell.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cell type | Reusable PFA battery test cell, two-electrode configuration |
| Nominal format | 1/4″ |
| Useful internal diameter | 1/4″ (6.35 mm) |
| Recommended max. electrode diameter | Ø 6.3 mm |
| Maximum stack thickness | 5 mm |
| Maximum validated temperature | 100 °C |
| Body material | PFA body component (Swagelok) with PFA compression hardware |
| Sealing system | PFA compression nuts and ferrules |
| Plunger materials | SS316, aluminium or titanium, according to the selected configuration |
| Compression system | Internal spring with removable adjustment spacers |
| Electrical connection | Transverse Ø 2.0 mm port on each plunger, for standard 2 mm banana plugs |
| Reference electrode | Not provided; two-electrode configuration only |
| Overall dimensions | 86 mm length, 18.5 mm across hex nut corners |
| Construction | Fully disassemblable for sample loading, cleaning and component replacement |
| Typical applications | Battery-material screening, full-cell and half-cell studies, symmetric-cell testing, cycling and impedance measurements |
Included components
Supplied as a complete assembly, according to the selected plunger configuration.
Selecting and operating this configuration
Can this cell be used with a reference electrode?
No. This is a two-electrode cell and does not provide an independent reference-electrode connection. Measurements requiring the potential of a single electrode to be resolved separately need the three-electrode version of the same 1/4″ architecture.
Which plunger material should be selected?
SS316 is the general-purpose choice and the standard configuration. Aluminium and titanium are selected when the chemistry or potential window of the experiment calls for a different current-collector behaviour. The plungers act as current collectors, so this choice contributes directly to the measured response.
Is the stack pressure defined or adjustable?
The internal spring applies a preload that maintains contact across the stack, and spacers set the working length of the assembly. The cell does not include instrumentation for measuring or setting a specified stack pressure, and is not intended as a calibrated pressure fixture.
How is the cell prepared between experiments?
The cell is fully disassembled for electrode recovery and cleaning. Plunger contact faces are cleaned each time, and the ferrules and other sealing parts are inspected for deformation or damage and replaced when required.
Before use
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