Scapa adhesive tapes for module assembly

Description

 
Double sided foam can be applied onto the perimeter of the module in the following ways:– by hand, utilising a hand applicator or as part of an automated system.

 The product is normally presented in a roll form enabling easy handling in application. The tailored width of the material allows only the right amount of product to be applied hence reducing process waste.

Scapa offers a specialist hand applicator that enables the application of a double sided tape effectively. Additionally the company is able to provide customers double sided foam in a spool presentation, wound into bobbins to use with automated processes.

Rolls are normally presented on 76mm core while spools may be presented on either 76mm or 152mm cores

The Life Expectancy of the product in a module – in excess of 25 years.

The Polyethylene foam is predominantly closed celled and will form an effective water seal throughout its main body. 

The foam and the adhesive are stable with respect to Ultra Violet Light and is resistant to most cleaning agents used to wash the modules during their service life

The foam has a skinned surface on both of its faces, coated with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive where the skin will act as an effective barrier to moisture

Technical aspect

How it works:

The products bond the modules to aluminium or anodized aluminium alloy sectional frames.

The product is being applied around the whole perimeter of the module to effect the seal between the module and frame (in most cases aluminium frame). Once applied around the perimeter, the liner of the product is removed to expose the acrylic adhesive that the product is covered with. The tack is then lowered by using a wet sponge that allows the frame to “slide” onto the module. Under the pressure the adhesion builds up again and the product is ready for future processing within the manufacturing flow.

The products are manufactured by Scapa and are available in a number of thickness’ to account for the variety of designs and tolerances of modules.

Liners

Scapa offers a selection of liners which provide a mechanism for making the product into rolls, spools or die cuts (junction box mounting)
The flexibility of the film allows the liner to be easily removed during the fabrication of the framed module, without any breaks.
The film liner also enables automated application and it is not moisture sensitive.
The product may be applied to the panels in advance of the framing fabrication, and stored externally
The release characteristics of the films allow for a smooth unwinding of the product.

Foams

The Polyethylene foams are predominantly closed cell – typically 60% closed cell – providing moisture resistance
The life expectancy of the foam exceeds the anticipated service life of PV modules
The foam offers Excellent Ultra Violet Light Resistance

Adhesives

The acrylic adhesives offer Ultra violet light resistance and a life expectancy in excess of the lifetime of a PV module.
The adhesive provides sufficient adhesion to be comparable to the strength of the foam carrier. The adhesive bonds effectively to the glass, PVF sheet, and the aluminium of the framed modules

Benefits

• Easy and quick to use
• Available in the format that allows any type of application
• No curing time so no waiting time
• The same product may be used in application of junction box (supplied as a die cut to fit the shape of the box)
• No need to use the product immediately – as long as the liner is not removed, the product can be stored
• Non-toxic
• The glue line enables only the required amount of product to be used with minimal waste..
• Available in different thickness’ to satisfy different customer aluminium profiles
• The foam compresses and compensates for aluminium and panel tolerance variances.

• The use of sponge wetting is used to temporarily kill the adhesive tack allowing ease of application without compromising the ultimate performance of the product.

• The definition of a pressure sensitive adhesive is that the adhesive is permanently tacky.
• By using the correct width of product the edge of the tape can effectively remain hidden from view.
• The use of double sided foam does not require additional reworking along the length of the panels.
• The products are being used by a number of module manufacturers and materials are currently scheduled for testing by the TÜV Rheinland Institute to provide independent verification of the product performing to the standards EN61215: 2005 and EN61646

Benefit    Scapa 5464 / 9    Liquid silicone
Drying time    None – product ready to use immediately after application    Depending on product
Need to remove excess product    None – required size supplied    Varying
Waste    Negligible    Can be significant
Sizes available    Different lengths of product available to avoid down time    Limited – can often require change over of utilised containers

Benefits of using Scapa compared with any other self-adhesive tapes suppliers to the market:

• Scapa is a global supplier of adhesive solutions to the market with over 90 years of experience serving numerous technology driven industries
• Our products are manufactured in-house to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
• Availability of a group of Technical Service personnel that are on call to help with the application or to provide a suitable product for the application
• In-house manufacturing facilities allows us develop new products or adjust product characteristics according to the individual customers needs
• In-house testing facility allows us to ensure that our products represent constant quality and meet relevant industry standards
• Scapa supplies a wide range of products manufactured at plants across Europe, Asia and North America