Hi guys.
I’d like your opinion on this. I have this LGDBMH11865 cell bought from eu.nkon.nl and it was being used in a 3A flashlight, rarely. A few days ago I removed it from the flashlight to charge it and I noticed it looked different at the top. There is a link with an album of photos below. Could you please take a look and give me your opinion? I’ve never come across a bulging like this, or whatever it is. Has it been crushed maybe by the torch’s spring? What could have happened to it? But most importantly, should I consider this a problem, unsafe to keep?
Too many questions, sorry about that. Anything you have to say, I will gladly read.
if it`s not a protected cell (sometimes they can look a bit like that) then when in doubt, throw it out!
they`re not expensive to buy and certainly not worth the risk 
Actually don`t throw it out, recycle it, it all helps keep the cost of lithium down for longer.
To me that looks entirely too symmetrical to be a failure bulge. If in serious doubt, strip the shrink off and look at it. You can put a new shrink on it.
If protected, I would guess it would be the circuit. That can be on either end.
Cut that wrapper off and show us what’s under there. I want to know 
It looks like there is no deformation before or after the “bulge”. I wouldn’t think anything is wrong with it other than not noticing it was like that to begin with.
Cells may be fairly cheap but, they aren’t free either. I’d keep it. 
That looks normal to me, it’s were the cell is crimped together
The cell is unprotected. I’m still hesitant to keep using it so I will at least remove the wrapper before making my mind. I’ll post pictures once I find the time to do it. Thanks for your input.
Bulges are not likely to have hard symmetrical edges, as this one obviously does.
Are there any incidents to make you think it was over charged, or over discharged?
Here’s what’s under the wrap.
Yes, flydiver, I overcharged it twice but not on purpose. Once to 4.25 volts. And this time to 4.3 volts, but it was like that before putting it in the charger. As soon as I removed it from the charger I immediately got my multimeter and measured 4.3 volts. So the cell did not have time to drop its voltage. I then drained some of its charge down to 4.18 volts because I didn’t want to have a cell on standby at higher than nominal voltage. And then I started wondering if I should even keep it. Since this cell is permanently inside a torch and pressed by its contact and spring I’m getting nervous about the “layered lithium burrito” inside being pushed by this deformation and shorting. Like with the batteries of the Galaxy Note 7.
If these new photos change your mind in any way, it would be great to hear back from you.
Get rid of it!!! ASAP.
It could have gotten crushed by whatever you where using it in. Might want to drain it in a bucket of water outside, before you take it to be recycled and/or ask your local fire department what to do with it.
Can’t see anything at the links, is it in a hidden account?
Some opinions and advice expressed in this thread really bothers me.
The amount of internal pressure required to bulge a cylindrical cell, even in the center (the weakest part), is astronomical. I highly doubt this was caused by anything you could have done. I’m betting this is something that went unnoticed until you inspected it after an overcharge event.
However thats not to say there aren’t issues. Whatever method or device previously used to overcharge the cell needs to stop. And the cell should be safely discharged, positive end taped up, and deposited at a recycling center.
Cheers
Need more information. Break out the Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel and lets see what’s inside there
Is the lithium even recycled from cells yet? Last I checked (couple of years ago) it wasn’t cost effective.
OP: Agree with others, recycle and buy a new one.
Also fix/sort out your charger to stop overcharging…
I`v no idea if it`s done large scale yet or not, but I figure that if no one recycled their batteries these industries would die and we Never get all the goodness out of them. it`s infinitely better than landfill 
though looking at that particular battery I`m not sure that Deep Sixing it isn`t a bad idea! LOL
Nope. No way that’s bulging from internal pressure. No way it’s been crushed. 4.3 ain’t going to hurt it. Rewrap. It’s been like that since day one you just didn’t notice it. Edit. If you continually charge above 4.2v you do reduce the life cycles,but one time to 4.3 volts is not going to do anything that you’re ever going to be able to measure. I usually stop at 4.1
Although you cannot delete your own threads, you can delete your own posts.
Just look for the "delete" button. 
Don’t forget to send pics to the seller so they can check their stock