I was with a friend at a gun show looking at various flashlights, GPS's and EO-Techs,cameras and such. Lots of battery powered accessories in the firearms industry! My friend asked me a question that stumped me, he asked if I had ever heard of one of the metal disc batteries CR-2032 type(don't really know what the correct name is) leak and damage the device, which is common in cylinder type batteries. I know that I make it a point to change out the AA's in my EO techs, walkie-talkies and such every year and I put a sticker with the date on all to remind me to change them out.
So, the question is, can the CR types leak?
What is a reasonable replacement time for devices that use them and mostly sit idle?
On a related note, Are the modern lithium ion or other type versions of AA, C, and D batteries more or less prone to leakage as the older style alkalines? I don't ever recall seeing much discussion on batteries here except bring plenty of spares, so I thought I'd ask.

There are exceptions to everything, but I have never ever seen a coin cell leak and that includes decades old memory batteries. And old watches, never seen a leaky battery, even with a 30 year old Bulova digital that still had the original and quite dead batteries in it when I got it.

I have used the 2032 and the 123 batteries for several years, and I have never seen either one of them corrode.

It could be because they are lithium batteries???

I have had the same 123 SureFire lithium batteries in some of my standby flashlights for 6 or 7 years, no corrosion, and they still glow in the dark.

I have used the coin type batteries in several devices and have never had one leak yet.

Have never had a 2032 or 123 battery leak either, but have had a small disc battery in an alarm clock leak after being stored for multiple years. Ruined the clock so I had to throw it out and don't know the exact type.

That pretty much mirrors my experience. You would think that with all the technology today, leakproof batteries would be easy. I always wondered if it was the chemicals in the core of tube type batts that ate through over time. I guess I will try to do some online research to find out. I figured with all the knowlegable folks we had on here, there would be a battery engineer! Thanks for the replies.