Prismatic lithium-ion cells for flat envelopes
Rectangular cells exist because a box-shaped pack wastes less space when the cells inside it are also box-shaped. The trade is mechanical — prismatic cells need compression and a different interconnect method than cylindrical cans.
In one paragraph
A prismatic lithium-ion cell is a rectangular cell in a rigid aluminium or laminate case. In this catalogue they run 2,350 to 2,400 mAh at 3.6 V nominal, and they suit flat, thin or space-constrained products where cylindrical cells would leave unusable gaps.
Why this format
What decides whether it is the right choice
Packing efficiency: a rectangular cell uses the corners a cylinder leaves empty, which matters when the enclosure is fixed
Lower height profiles — thin prismatic cells fit products a 65 mm cylinder cannot
Fewer cells for the same volume, so fewer interconnects and a simpler busbar
Models on file
Current specification table
Sorted by continuous discharge. Every figure is quoted with the condition the manufacturer attaches to it.
| Model | Brand | Format | Capacity | Cont. discharge | Max charge | Energy | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCA103450 | Panasonic | Prismatic | 2,350 mAh | — | — | — | Pending |
| NCA653864SA | Panasonic | Prismatic | 2,400 mAh | — | — | — | Pending |
What is different about a prismatic cell, mechanically
A cylindrical cell is self-supporting: the can is the structure, and the pack only has to hold it in place. A prismatic cell in a laminate pouch is not — the case is a barrier, not a structure, and the cell relies on the pack to hold it flat and under light compression. Get that wrong and the cell swells, the internal layers separate, and capacity fades faster than the data sheet suggests.
- Compression, not clamping. Pouch cells are usually specified with a light, even compression across the face; uneven pressure creates local hot spots and uneven ageing.
- Tabs, not cans. Terminals are thin tabs that must be supported so vibration does not fatigue them at the weld.
- Swelling allowance. Cells expand with age and with state of charge; a rigid bay with zero clearance will load the cell as it swells.
- Thermal path along the face. The large flat face is the best heat path a cell can have — use it, rather than cooling the edges.
Where prismatic loses to cylindrical
Cylindrical cells are cheaper per Wh at the same performance, because the manufacturing is more mature and the packaging is more efficient for the volume it holds. They are also easier to second-source: an 18650 from one manufacturer will fit a holder designed for an 18650 from another, whereas prismatic footprints are manufacturer-specific even when the headline dimensions match.
The prismatic case is therefore narrow and specific: the enclosure is space-critical, the product is thin, or the pack is a single unit rather than a replaceable module. Outside those, a cylindrical cell in a well-designed holder is usually the better engineering and commercial answer.
Documentation status
Both prismatic models on this page are Panasonic. No manufacturer data sheet is on file for either, so the parameters are marked pending rather than presented as verified. Ask for the model and we will confirm what can be supplied before you design around these figures.
Selection map
Which grade, for which job
10.5 × 33.8 × 48.5 mm
Handheld terminals, instruments, medical devices with a defined bay
6.5 × 38.1 × 64.6 mm
Ultra-thin products where height is the binding constraint
Cylindrical alternative
Where tooling exists and the enclosure is not space-critical, 18650 remains cheaper per Wh
Common questions
Before you specify
Do the discharge figures assume a temperature cut-off?
Can cells of different models share one pack?
What documentation ships with an order?
Other formats
If this one does not fit
Narrowing down? Send the load profile
Peak current, continuous current, duty cycle and target cycle life. We will come back with the candidates and the documentation behind each one.