MULTI-FUNCTIONAL COMPOSITE THERMAL BARRIER

A battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes at least one battery cell including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte that transports charged ions between the anode and the cathode. The battery pack includes a thermal barrier within the battery pack for shielding the at least one battery cell from thermal exposure. The thermal barrier includes a mica substrate, a first coating layer disposed on a first side of the mica substrate, and a second coating layer disposed on a second side of the mica substrate. The second side is distal from the first side. The first coating layer and the second coating layer is formed of aluminum tri hydroxide (ATH).