Amcor Flexibles has developed a new ECTFE film used as front sheet for Photovoltaic panels

Amcor Flexibles, a leading world’s supplier of films and flexibles materials, including highly engineered films solutions for the solar, energy, aerospace, automotive and electronic markets, is proud to announce that together with their partner Solvay, a new front sheet film based on Solvay's Halar® ECTFE resin has been developed. This film has excellent weatherability, dielectric and flame retardant characteristics, which makes it highly suitable for Photovoltaic applications amongst others in Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) applications for residential buildings.

The ECTFE film is strong and tough and has great abrasion resistant properties, which makes it even suitable for desert areas. Furthermore it has excellent water vapour barrier properties in a wide temperature range of -200°C to +165°C. “Compared to conventional ETFE films, the barrier is up to five times better,” says Raymond van Faassen, Global Market Manager at Amcor Flexibles Europe & Americas. “Thanks to the film’s special, highly transparent, primer technology, it is also possible to increase the bond strength with other substrates, a task not easily done due to its fluoropolymer low surface tension characteristic.

The ECTFE film has a LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) of more than 51%, indicating that an oxygen concentration of at least 51% is required to support the combustion process. This results in outstanding fire resistance properties and an auto ignition temperature of more than 655°C.

Currently Amcor Flexibles has two types of films in the portfolio: a standard ECTFE film and a UVblocking film available in different thicknesses and widths.