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Wilmington, DE (Vocus) May 20, 2009

Solar cell manufacturers who need far more stable procedure efficiency as effectively as increased equipment uptime to lessen cost will benefit from a presentation at InterSolar/SMET Could 27, 2009 in Munich, Germany. In a presentation titled “Perfluoroelastomer and Fluoroelastomer Seals for Photovoltaic Cell Manufacturing Processes,” Michele Vigliotti, DuPont Performance Elastomers (DPE), will present check final results for different sealing materials utilized in demanding cell manufacturing processes. Results indicate that picking the acceptable sealing components can aid boost seal efficiency and reduce cost of ownership in both bulk crystalline silicon and thin film photovoltaic processes that use aggressive “wet” chemistries, higher temperatures or reactive plasma/gas.

According to Vigliotti, “Elastomer efficiency can fluctuate dramatically, especially if far more aggressive processing variants and technologies are utilised to aid improve output and cell effectiveness. Locating an elastomer that functions in a single atmosphere, does not assure that it will function in all environments.” In his presentation, Vigliotti will assessment elastomer properties and the final results of elastomer testing in numerous processes employed in photovoltaic manufacturing.

In “wet” processes exactly where aggressive acids and bases such as HF, HCl, HNO3, KOH and NaOH are used for etching and cleansing, Vigliotti will discuss how perfluoroelastomer elements (FFKM) tend to show greater resistance to chemical attack, suggesting lengthier seal life. Seals also can leach contaminants into the method program and eventually contaminate the finished item. Given that ultrapure deionized (UPDI) water is used in a lot of rinsing methods, sustaining purity is essential for good results. Test outcomes in UPDI water illustrate how FFKMs have significantly much less metallic and total natural carbon (TOC) extractables than fluoroelastomer (FKM) components. The comparison also demonstrates that functionality variation can exist within the very same elastomer category.

In addition to “wet” applications, Vigliotti also discusses test outcomes in high-temperature applications like doping in crystalline silicon and diffusion in Cu (In, Ga) Se2 (CIGS). Exposure to higher temperatures can result in seals to become challenging and brittle, thereby losing their sealing performance. In addition, elastomeric seals can degrade under high temperatures triggering outgassing to occur, thereby contaminating the procedure atmosphere. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a single of the gases evolved when FFKM and FKM start to degrade. It can be damaging to procedure gear, specifically to quartz and stainless steel parts. The outgassing performance of FFKM, FKM and silicone (VMQ) are compared in Figure 1.

In chemical vapor deposition and plasma etch processes, the plasmas utilised can be very aggressive and can result in seals to fail rapidly, thereby leading to issues during pump-down or creating toxic gasses to be released into the environment. In order to greater predict seal lifestyle, a much more thorough comprehending of plasma attack mode and chemistry is mentioned. Check outcomes will highlight the weight-reduction properties of different fluorinated elastomers and silicone as end result of exposure to each fluorine and oxygen containing plasma. Check results also indicate that “cleaner” elastomer formulations can assist minimize particle generation, as a result improving photovoltaic cell manufacturing processes.

As photovoltaic producers enhance productivity by using increasingly aggressive chemical, plasma and temperature environments, improved strain is placed on manufacturing techniques. Vigliotti’s presentation will support cell makers realize elastomer efficiency to aid reduce unplanned maintenance as a end result of incompatible sealing supplies. “Seal variety is a science,” Vigliotti claims. “When suppliers use the science for their advantage, productivity can enhance past the extra expense of purchasing a higher-functionality seal,” he additional.

Vigliotti will be available for questions the three days of the SMET InterSolar Conference. If you wish to schedule an appointment, request a copy of his paper or have a query, please visit, http://www.dupontelastomers.com/pvintersolar.

DuPont Overall performance Elastomers, a world-wide supplier of specialty elastomers with headquarters in Wilmington, Del., is a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont. The business is an business leader in chloroelastomers and fluorinated elastomers, serving the automotive, chemical, petrochemical, semiconductor, meals and pharmaceutical processing development, basic rubber and wire and cable industries. DuPont Overall performance Elastomers has integrated manufacturing back to the polymer, enhancing top quality management and product improvement. Kalrez? elements are manufactured in ISO 9000 registered amenities and are available in a wide assortment of completed products from standard seal shapes and bonded door seals to custom geometrics. Upon request, Kalrez? perfluorelastomer elements are specially cleaned and double packaged in Class one hundred workstations to drastically minimize the likely for contamination. Each item is individually packaged in a bar-coded bag for full traceability. These items are available in the form of O-rings, sheets, and customized parts.

Kalrez? is component of a broad and expanding portfolio of products represented by DuPont Photovoltaic Remedies, which connects science and technological innovation from across the organization on a international scale to help support the dramatic growth in the photovoltaic industry. For far more information on DuPont Photovoltaic Options, pay a visit to http://www2.dupont.com/Photovoltaics/en_US/index.html.

Dr. Michele Vigliotti is an Applications Consultant with DuPont Overall performance Elastomers, L.L.C. He holds a B.S. degree in nuclear engineering and a PhD in energetic/plasma chemical physics from Turin Polytechnic. Dr. Vigliotti is the technical interface across the European area for semiconductor and photovoltaics customers of Kalrez? perfluoroelastomer parts. He was previously a method engineer with Applied Components in Italy. He is found at the company’s European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Note to Editors:

Please mention DuPont Functionality Elastomers by its full title in the 1st reference. For all references thereafter, the company may be cited as DPE.

Kalrez? is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers.

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Contact:

Nancy Harton

302-792-4347

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