STR's standard-cure formulations are best suited for PV module manufacturers that utilize a two-step process in laminating PV devices within the module package. A typical two-step process includes a short, low-temperature lamination cycle followed by a longer, higher-temperature step in an oven in order to complete curing of the encapsulant.

STR has two standard-cure formulations: A9918P and 0507P. A9918P is the oldest of all STR encapsulant formulations, which is still used today. The 0507P formulation is the latest standard-cure material. We have found that this formulation, along with its fast-cure counterpart 0509P, does particularly well with bonding to metallic surfaces such as aluminum and nickel.

There are currently 4 commercial fast-cure formulations in STR's product portfolio. The original fast-cure formulation 15295P and the 15420P are our main fast-cure formulations. 15420P has superior photothermal stability and faster-curing kinetics over 15295P.

The 0140P formulation, representing STR's newest generation of fast-cure formulations, was developed to achieve fast curing performance at lower lamination temperatures and minimal bubbling.

The same curative technology in the 0140P formulations is found in the 0509P. As mentioned above, the 0509P has operated efficiently in non-traditional module constructions such as integrated roofing solar products. Furthermore, 0509P has performed well with thin-film modules construction where the PV device is vapor deposited onto a metallic substrate (e.g., CIS, CIGS).

STR's next-generation fast-cure materials (the 4-series) are currently under module qualification. These materials have step-wise improvement in curing performance over the current material. Please contact STR for more information.

Currently under module testing are STR's TPx series encapsulant and module packaging materials for both crystalline- and thin-film-based PV module constructions. These materials offer different properties compared to our EVA-based solutions, yielding more options to module manufacturers in the areas of module processing and construction.

Please contact STR directly for more information regarding these material solutions.