A universal seal particularly for use in a lithium battery having a metal end closure, the end closure having a web with parallel planar upper and lower web surfaces and a circular opening in the web, includes an annular eyelet having substantially parallel planar upper and lower surfaces and a central aperture with a terminal pin sealed in the aperture and projecting substantially perpendicularly to the planes of the surfaces. The eyelet has chamfered upper and lower perimetric edges, symmetrically positioned about a plane parallel to and equispaced from the upper and lower surfaces of the eyelet. The eyelet is of a diameter relative to the diameter of the web opening to permit a chamfered edge of the eyelet to engage a sharp arras of the web defining the margin of the web opening in substantially line contact, intermediate the width of the chamfered edge. The closure and eyelet are then joined by a weld between the closure and the eyelet around the meeting line. |