The light-curing products based on epoxy resins or acrylates are particularly well-suited for bonding the protective films of thin-film solar cells, while at the same time forming an effective barrier against humidity.
Thin-film solar cells are used for facades, lightweight roofs, or charging columns. They are made up of several layers with a thickness in the millimeter range. The active, energy-producing layers are often vapor-deposited onto glass or an organic carrier material and covered with protective film on the front and back.
An adhesive that can be used to reliably bond the protective film is said to be DELO Katiobond LP655. The light-curing epoxy resin also acts as a barrier and effectively protects the active layers from humidity. This is particularly important at the edges, as penetrating humidity would impair the solar cells' functionality. Thanks to the raw materials used, the adhesive has a low water vapour transmission rate of 6g per mm/m² in 24 hours, which has been tested at a temperature of 60°C and a relative humidity of 90%. This prevents premature degradation of the solar cells and contributes to a long lifetime.
DELO Katiobond LP655 is also described as featuring 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 optimised for slot-die coating. Also, for roll-to-roll processes, DELO offers various products based on epoxy resins and acrylates.
DELO adhesives are represented in the UK and Ireland by Inseto (UK).
