Adhesives Research (AR) has launched new pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (PSAs) for bus bar, solar cell junction box, and encapsulation barrier applications in crystalline and thin film PV module applications.
Problem
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As an alternative to traditional bonding methods, such as soldering for electrical interconnects and liquid epoxies for encapsulation, the new PSA technologies offer PV manufacturers reliable bonds that offer a number of manufacturing benefits and efficiencies including ease-of-handling, continuous roll formats, and no messy clean-up.
Solution
The ‘ARclad’ 92446 and ‘ARclad’ 92709 combine advancements in adhesive and foam technology that are die-cuttable and can be laminated to the junction box, creating a bond directly to the glass, producing a long-term, reliable bond, which outperforms other bonding products in accelerated aging and damp heat tests. Specifically for use in flexible thin film PV modules, Adhesives Research’s barrier technology forms strong, flexible bonds while providing moisture and oxygen barrier properties required for encapsulation. An alternative to liquid encapsulating materials, AR’s PSA is claimed to offer less mess, ease-of-handling and more rapid throughput. A benign, low-outgassing, non-corrosive and electrically clean adhesive, this PSA becomes active at an industry low of 100ºC (industry standard is 140ºC to 150ºC), according to the company. ‘ARclad’ 92708 is a highly conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive supported by a tin-coated copper foil carrier. Featuring the homogenous conductive adhesive technology used in Adhesives Research’s proven PSA ‘ARclad’ 90038, ‘ARclad’ 92708 forms stable conductive bonds to electrical contact points under a wide range of environmental conditions. The ‘ARclad’ 90038 is a 2.4-mil, highly conductive PSA tape featuring a 1-ounce tin-plated copper foil backing and demonstrates excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance for bus bar applications.
Applications
Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (PSAs) for bus bar, solar cell junction box, and encapsulation barrier applications in crystalline and thin film PV module applications. AR also offers a range of PSA products to complement ‘ARclad’ 90038 for electrical interconnections, wire management, bonding and assembly, and encapsulation.
Platform
Custom pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.
Availability
March 2011 onwards.