DELO Introduces Adhesives for Solar Cells

DELO Introduces Adhesives for Solar Cells DELO presents adhesives for solar cells for the first time. The light-curing materials based on acrylates or epoxy resins are especially well suited for attaching the thin-film solar cells' protective coatings while also acting as a reliable barrier against humidity. Thin-film solar cells, made up of several layers with a thickness in the millimeter range, are used for facades, lightweight roofs, or charging columns. The active, energy-producing layers are often vapor-deposited onto glass or an organic carrier material and covered with protective film. An adhesive that can be used to reliably bond the protective film is DELO KATIOBOND LP655. The light-curing epoxy resin acts as a barrier and effectively protects the active layers from humidity as well. This is particularly important at the edges, since penetrating humidity would impair the solar cells' functionality. Due to the raw materials used, the adhesive has a low water vapor transmission rate of 6 g per mm/m² in 24 h, which has been tested at a temperature of +60 °C and a relative humidity of 90%. This prevents premature degradation of the solar cells, contributing to a long lifetime. DELO KATIOBOND LP655 also features high peel resistance on PET, the plastic material typically used for protective films. The transparent adhesive cures in seconds under UV light and has been optimized for slot-die coating. DELO also offers various products based on epoxy resins and acrylates for roll-to-roll processes. DELO continues to develop new adhesive solutions that are specifically adapted to the ever changing technical and economic requirements in the solar industry. The adhesives undergo intensive testing, conducted in cooperation with global development partners such as Oninn Innovation Center from Brazil. Furthermore, DELO offers adhesive solutions for other technologies in the field of renewable energies, including wind power or battery systems for electric cars, which, as a result of their multifunctionality, perform other tasks in addition to reliably bonding two components. Source