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Product Briefing Outline: Scapa, a manufacturer of technical, self-adhesive tapes, has launched a range of products for the photovoltaic module manufacturing industry. The high-performance technical products are used in a number of applications including bonding/sealing aluminium framed modules, permanent bonding of the junction box, laminate fabrication, cell positioning and cable management. Scapa offers a wide range of double-sided adhesive coated polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PUR) and acrylic foams (AFT) that meet specific industry standards and requirements.

Problem: In today’s marketplace, manufacturers are continuously searching for new ways to reduce costs by improvements in processing speed, material costs, and reduction in process waste while maintaining product performance. There is a need to identify suitable alternative materials that meet the current manufacturing requirements and have the capability to meet the demands of state-of-the-art automated production equipment.

Solution: Scapa’s range of double-sided bonding and sealing products for PV module framing include acrylic adhesive systems that offer resistance to moisture and extreme environmental conditions and exhibit excellent Ultra Violet (UV) Light resistance. The adhesives often improve if further UV exposure occurs. The anticipated life expectancy of the Scapa foam products is in excess of 25 years.
The use of tape solutions allows only the required quantity of material to be used during the fabrication of framed modules. Utilizing pressure-sensitive adhesives with their initial tack enables the modules to be fabricated and immediately transported without waiting for the adhesive/sealant to cure or dry, thereby improving production flow. Precise customising of tape dimensions allows for easy manual application or rapid automated processing - using only the width and thickness required leads to minimal waste and a clean-to-use frame mounting assembly with no reworking and a clean edge finish. The adhesive mounting tapes may be supplied in roll, spool wound and die cut formats, to suit both manual and automated applications.

Applications: Module aluminium frame bonding and sealing.

Platform: Scapa offers a selection of double-sided closed cell foam tapes that are coated with acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives as well as solid core Acrylic Foam Tapes (AFT) that have been assessed and meet the demands of IEC61215. All of the products will form effective bonding between PV panels and the framing material and will form an effective seal to both water and moisture ingress.

Availability: Contact the company for information.