The need to reduce peripheral cracks on solar cells has received much attention. Pressurex® surface pressure indicating film provides a low-cost solution for quality control checks during equipment setup, calibration, as well as re-qualification of a solar module production line.

Sensor Products Inc. introduces Pressurex®, a surface pressure indicating film that reveals pressure magnitude and distribution between any two contacting or mating surfaces. In the Photovoltaic industry, the need to reduce peripheral cracks on solar cells has received much attention. Pressurex® surface pressure indicating film directly fits this bill by providing a low-cost solution for quality control checks during equipment setup, calibration, as well as re-qualification of a solar module production line. At least three specific assembly steps would benefit from the use of Pressurex® sensors: lamination, the frame press stage, and attachment of junction boxes. Pressurex® assures proper pressure magnitude to cause polymerization and securely bond multiple layers together during EVA and PVB lamination. During the frame press stage, Pressurex® sensor film helps verify adequate frame-to-module edge sealing.

This unique Mylar-based sensor film reveals surface pressure from 2 - 43,000 PSI (0.14 - 3,000 kg/cm²). Pressurex® film is actually placed at the interface of two contacting surfaces. When these surfaces are compressed together (in a lamination press for example) they apply a force to the sensor film. The film captures this applied force permanently and irreversibly by virtue of its changing color. Intensity of the color change is proportional to the amount of pressure applied, thus allowing for precise determination of pressure magnitude by comparing the resultant sensor film's color to a color calibration reference chart.

During assembly operations, uneven pressure distribution on lamination and frame presses can cause edge or surface damage and micro cracks that allow moisture ingress, resulting in degraded solar module performance. Thin film modules of CDTE or CIGS on glass or flexible substrates are more susceptible to moisture ingress and require stringent quality control checks. Pressurex® sensor film is so sensitive that it picks up defects that can't be seen visually, such as micro cracks and surface aberrations. Through the quality control process, photovoltaic efficiency is increased by reducing the production of solar modules that have been subjected to improper pressure.

To request a sample of pressure-indicating film in a range appropriate for your application and equipment, contact Sensor Products Inc. at 973.884.1755 (USA), email info@sensorprod.com or visit www.sensorprod.com/sample.