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Lithium-Ion 18650 or 21700 Battery Prefixes (Chemistry): Decoding NCR, IMR, ICR, INR, IFR, and More
Key prefixes printed on 18650/21700 Lithium-ion batteries denote their cathode chemistry, which determines performance, safety, and applications. Below is a breakdown of common prefixes and their meanings:
Prefix
Full Name
Chemistry
Key Traits
Common Uses
Safety
IMR
Lithium Manganese Rechargeable
LiMn₂O₄
High discharge (15–30A), stable
Power tools
Safer
ICR
Lithium Cobalt Rechargeable
LiCoO₂
High capacity, low discharge
Laptops, cameras
Risky
INR
Lithium Nic
…
Apr 10th 2025