ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 3210 A/B

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

Production of CPV Modules

• Multi-purpose potting agent for the pv industry
• Encapsulation of solar cells
• Lamination of solar modules
• Bonding of optical devices
• Manufacture of molded articles by casting, e.g. Fresnel lenses and other optical devices

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 3210 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 A of ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 3210 A/B contains the platinum catalyst, component B the crosslinker. Since even small quantities of crosslinker 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 9 : 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 substrates used. ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 3210 A/B cures both at room temperature and under heat.
• The reactivity of ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 3210 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.

Pigmentation:

ELASTOSIL® SOLAR 3210 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 can be rubbed off and removed mechanically, if necessary in combination with a swelling agent (solvent).

Uncured:

• 9:1 mixing ratio
• Medium curing speed at room temperature
• Rapid heat cure possible

Cured:

• Medium hardness
• Crystal clear vulcanisate
• Excellent resistance to uv light
• Very high light transmission in the range of 250 nm to 1100 nm
• Recommended service temperature range: -50 °C to +180 °C

• All values given for a mixing ratio of 9:1 by weight for catalyzed properties.
• Cured in a mixing ratio of 9:1 by weight. Curing conditions: 30 min. at 150 °C in a circulating air oven, 2 mm sheet, pressed, no post-curing for cured properties.