Vapor Transmission Resistant Seal Members for Nonaqueous Electrochemical Cells

An electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a metal container having a closed bottom end, a sidewall and an open end;
• a cell cover disposed in the open end of the container;
• a positive electrode;
• a negative electrode comprising lithium;
• a separator disposed between the positive and negative electrodes;
• a nonaqueous electrolyte comprising an organic solvent;
• and
• a seal member, disposed between the container and a portion of the cell cover, comprising a thermoplastic resin body having a surface coating;
• wherein the surface coating comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:
• i) an electrically insulating, inorganic material, and
• ii) when the container comprises a cylindrical container, the negative electrode comprises lithium and the electrolyte is a non-aqueous organic electrolyte, a metallized layer that is non-permeable to the electrolyte coated on to a portion of at least one selected from the group consisting of:
• a) an inner surface that is in communication with a reaction chamber defined by the container and the cell cover, wherein the reaction chamber contains the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator and the electrolyte, and b) an outer surface that is not in communication with the reaction chamber.