ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B

• Electrically insulating
• Highly transparent
• Optically clear
• Two-component
• UV & weathering-resistant
• UV stable

Encapsulation

• Multi-purpose potting agent for the pv industry
• Encapsulation of electronic components (e.g. Junction boxes or power inverters)
• Encapsulation of solar cells
• Lamination of solar modules

Processing

Only A and B components with the same batch number should be processed together.

Surface preparation:

All surfaces must be clean and free of contaminants that will inhibit the cure of ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B. Examples of inhibiting contaminants are sulfur containing materials, plasticizers, urethanes, amine containing materials and organometallic compounds- especially organotin compounds. If a substrate’s ability to inhibit cure is unknown, a small scale test should be run to determine compatibility.

Mixing:

• Component B of ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B contains the platinum catalyst, component A the crosslinker. Since even traces of platinum catalyst may cause gelling of component A, all tools (e.g. spatula, stirrers, mixing cups etc.) used for handling either component B or the A/B mix must not come into contact with component A by mistake.
• The two components should be thoroughly mixed at a 1 : 1 ratio by weight or volume, either manually or by automatic metering lines equipped with static or dynamic mixing devices.

Material application:

To eliminate any air introduced during dispensing or trapped under components or devices a vacuum encapsulation is recommended. Alternatively, component A and B can be deaerated individually prior to use to remove absorbed air; applying a vacuum of 25-50 mbar for 10-15 min is recommended.

Curing:

• The curing time of addition-curing silicone rubber is highly dependent on temperature and both the size and the heat sink properties of the components being potted. ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B cures both at room temperature and under heat.
• The reactivity of ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B can be adjusted within wide limits by adding WACKER® Catalyst EP or WACKER® Inhibitor PT 88 to suit the processing requirements of the particular application. WACKER® Catalyst EP increases reactivity, i. e. pot life and curing time are reduced. WACKER® Inhibitor PT 88 is a pot life extender and thus prolongs pot life and curing time.

Modifying softness:

If the gel is too soft and tacky, reducing the amount of component B results in a harder, less tacky vulcanizate. A tough gel is obtained with a mixing ratio for A:B of 1.25:1, while a mixing ratio of 1.5:1 yields a very soft rubber. Please note: for logistical reasons however, we can only accept orders in a mixing ratio of A:B = 1:1.

Pigmentation:

ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 2202 A/B is colorless, transparent and crystal clear. If necessary, the product can be pigmented by adding up to 2 wt. % of ELASTOSIL® COLOR PASTE FL.

Removal:

If removal of the silicone from machines or dispensing equipment is necessary, white spirit or similar nonpolar solvents are recommended. However, cleaning ideally should take place before the silicone is fully vulcanized. Cured silicone gel can be rubbed off and removed mechanically, if necessary in combination with a swelling agent (solvent).

Uncured:

• 1 : 1 mixing ratio
• medium curing speed at room temperature.
• rapid heat cure possible

Cured:

• very low hardness (silicone gel)
• crystal clear vulcanisate
• very high light transmission in the range of 250 nm to 1100
• excellent resistance to UV light
• pronounced inherent tack
• Recommended service temperature range: -50 °C to +160 °C
• UL 94 HB listed

Cured properties are cured for 20 min at 150 °C in a circulating air oven.