New Product: OK International thermal technology enhances tabbing and bussing soldering

Product Briefing Outline: OK International has developed a proprietary ‘SmartHeat’ Technology, which consists of a high frequency alternating current (AC) power supply and a self regulating heating element. The heater utilizes the electrical and metallurgical characteristics of two different metals: copper, and a magnetic material with high resistivity to reduce micro-cracking of solar cell substrates during the soldering operation.

Problem: Micro cracking of delicate solar cell substrates is a common defect that can occur during PV tabbing and bussing soldering processes. The soldering temperature must be reduced to a minimum so that the solar cells are not subjected to mechanical or thermal stresses from the soldering process. During the soldering operation, differential thermal expansion of the copper and the silicon elements can occur at temperatures greater than 300°C. This differential can result in the formation of micro-cracks that may not be detected during the manufacturing process and result in reduced field lifespan. The need for precise time and temperature control is made additionally critical by the precise intermetallic layer requirement of 1-2µm that must be created during the solder joint formation.

Solution: The SmartHeat PS-900 soldering system with specially designed STV-DRH440A hoof tip geometry optimizes the power delivered to the solder joint, thus providing high performance efficiency with increased tip life. Its temperature-sensitive “T “heater series ensures low temperature soldering and thus minimizes thermally induced stresses on the surface of the solar cells.

Applications: c-Si cell tabbing and bussing soldering processes.

Platform: SmartHeat Technology consists of a high frequency alternating current (AC) power supply and a self regulating heating element.

Availability: March 2010 onwards.