Edge protected barrier assemblies

Emerging growth solar technologies such as organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) and thin-film solar cells such as Cu (In, Ga) Se 2 (CIGS) require protection from water vapor and are durable in outdoor environments (eg, for example. Must be (against UV). Typically, glass has been used as an encapsulating material for such solar devices, which is that glass is a very good barrier to water vapor, is optically transparent, and is UV resistant. On the other hand, it is stable. However, the gas is heavy, brittle, difficult to make flexible and difficult to handle. There is interest in developing transparent flexible encapsulating materials that do not have the drawbacks of glass but have glass-like barrier properties and UV stability to replace glass, and numerous flexibility that approaches the barrier properties of glass. A barrier film has been developed.

<p num="0002"> Since solar devices are used outdoors, they are exposed to natural forces, including wind, water and sunlight. Water permeation into solar panels has been a long-standing problem. Solar panels can also be adversely affected by wind and sunlight.</p><p num="0003"> Many flexible barrier films are multilayer film laminates. The multilayer film laminate may be delaminated, especially at the edges. The mitigation of delamination at the edges improves the overall performance of the barrier film.</p>

<p num="0004"> This application covers electrical appliances and assemblies that include multilayer films. The multilayer film includes a barrier laminate adjacent to the electrical appliance and a weather resistant sheet adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The assembly further includes a protective layer that comes into contact with electrical equipment and weather resistant sheets. This application allows any combination of disclosed elements.</p>

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure is possible by considering the following detailed description of the different embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.<figref num="1">An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="2">An assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="3">An assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="4">An assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="5">An assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="6">An assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="7">An assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure using a schematic cross-sectional view is illustrated.</figref><figref num="8">It is an elevation view of the assembly by this disclosure.</figref>

Edge delamination is a concern in multi-layered articles. A slight delamination can result in multi-layer separation. Delamination can be controlled by evaluating, controlling, and modifying the three inputs. The first input evaluated is exposure to light at the interface. Light exposure includes visible light in addition to UV. Water exposure is the second input. The third input is the stress at the interface. Correction and control of these three input values was measured according to ASTM D3330 Method A "Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape", with natural delamination of less than 20 g / in (7.74 N / m). Or reduce peeling.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 10 includes electrical equipment 12. The barrier laminate 18 is shown as adjacent to electrical appliance 12. The barrier laminate comprises a large number of layers (not shown), as described herein. The weatherproof sheet 20 is adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The weather resistant sheet 20 and the barrier laminate 18 together form the multilayer film 22. The protective layers 21 and 21a are coupled to electrical equipment 12 at 24 and 26 and to the weather resistant sheet 20 at 28 and 30. This bond can be formed using any method known in the art, including pressure sensitive adhesives, so that it adheres to an edge sealant, primed surface, or pressure sensitive adhesive. Includes surface treatment of weather resistant sheets.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 210 includes electrical equipment 212. The barrier laminate 218 is shown as adjacent to electrical appliance 212. The substrate 217 is illustrated between the barrier laminate 218 and the electrical appliance 212. The barrier laminate 18 includes a number of layers (not shown), as described herein. The weatherproof sheet 220 is adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The weather resistant sheet 220, the barrier laminate 218, and the substrate 217 together form the multilayer film 222. The protective layers 221 and 221a are coupled to electrical equipment 212 at 224 and 226 and to the weather resistant sheet 220 at 228 and 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 310 includes electrical equipment 312. The barrier laminate 318 is shown as adjacent to electrical appliance 312. The substrate 317 is shown between the barrier laminate 318 and electrical appliance 312. The barrier laminate comprises a large number of layers (not shown), as described herein. The weatherproof sheet 320 is adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The weather resistant sheet 320, the barrier laminate 318, and the substrate 317 together form a multilayer film 322. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 319 is shown between the barrier laminate 318 and the weather resistant sheet 320 within the multilayer film 322. The protective layers 321 and 321a are coupled to electrical appliances 312 at 324 and 326 and to the weather resistant sheet 320 at 328 and 330.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 410 includes electrical equipment 412. Barrier laminate 418 is shown as adjacent to electrical appliance 412. The barrier laminate comprises a large number of layers (not shown), as described herein. The weatherproof sheet 420 is adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The weather resistant sheet 420 and the barrier laminate 418 together form a multilayer film 422. Protective layers 421 and 421a are coupled to electrical equipment at 424 and 426 and to weather resistant sheet 420 at 428 and 430. In such an embodiment, the multilayer film 428 may further include all the layers disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 510 includes electrical equipment 512, barrier laminate 518, and weather resistant sheet 520. In FIG. 5, electrical device 512 includes edge sealing materials 514 and 516. The protective layers 521 and 521a are coupled to the electrical device 512 in the edge sealing materials 514 and 516.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 610 includes electrical equipment 612, barrier laminate 618, and weather resistant sheet 620. In FIG. 6, electrical device 612 includes capsule material 613. The protective layers 621 and 621a are coupled to the electrical device 612 in the capsule material 613.

FIG. 7 illustrates a seventh embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 710 includes electrical equipment 712, barrier laminate 718, and weather resistant sheet 720. In FIG. 7, electrical appliance 712 includes backseat 715. The protective layers 721 and 721a are coupled to electrical appliance 712 in the backsheet 715.

The elements in the claims are described in more detail below.

Electrical equipment The assembly according to the present disclosure includes, for example, an electrical device such as a solar device such as a photovoltaic cell. Therefore, the present disclosure presents an assembly that includes a photovoltaic cell. Suitable photovoltaic cells include those developed from a variety of materials, each having its own absorption spectrum that converts solar energy into electricity. Examples of materials used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and their solar absorption band edge wavelengths are crystalline silicon single junctions (about 400 nm to about 1150 nm), amorphous silicon single junctions (about 300 nm to about 720 nm), and ribbons. Silicon (about 350 nm to about 1150 nm), CIS (copper indium selenium) (about 400 nm to about 1300 nm), CIGS (copper indium gallium diselene) (about 350 nm to about 1100 nm), CdTe (about 400 nm to about 895 nm), GaAs multi-junctions (about 350 nm to about 1750 nm) can be mentioned. The short wavelength left absorption band edge of these semiconductor materials is typically between 300 nm and 400 nm. In certain embodiments, the electrical device is a CIGS battery. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic device to which the assembly is applied (eg, a photovoltaic cell) comprises a flexible film substrate, resulting in a flexible photovoltaic device.

The development of a method for preventing separation / delamination of a flexible barrier film in a flexible photovoltaic device is particularly useful in the field of photovoltaics. The longer the output of the photovoltaic module, the more useful the photovoltaic module. In certain embodiments, the present application aims to increase the service life of the flexible photovoltaic module without interfering with the barrier properties of the flexible laminate.

In some embodiments, the electrical device comprises a capsule material. Capsules are applied across and around photovoltaic cells and related circuits. Capsule materials currently in use are ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) butyraldehyde (PVB), polyolefins, thermoplastic urethanes, clear polyvinyl chloride, and ionomers. Capsules are applied to solar devices, and in some embodiments this may include cross-linking agents capable of cross-linking the capsules (eg, peroxides for EVA). The capsule material is then cured in place on a solar device. An example of a useful capsule material for a CIGS photovoltaic module is sold by Jura-Plast, Reichenschwand, Germany under the trade name "JURASOL TL".

In some embodiments, the electrical appliance includes an edge seal to seal it at the edge. For example, edge encapsulants are applied around the sides of photovoltaics and related circuits. In some embodiments, the capsule material is sealed at the edges. In certain embodiments, the electrical device, such as a photovoltaic cell, is already coated with a capsule material as described above, and the backsheet material and the edges of the entire enclosed device are sealed. Examples of edge sealants are from dry polymers and butyl rubber, such as those sold by TruSeal, Solon, Ohio under the trade name HELIOS EAL PVS101 from Adco (Lincolnshire, IL), and from TruSeal (Solon, Ohio). Examples include commercially available SOLAR GAIN LP02 edge tapes.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the electrical appliance includes a backsheet that completely encapsulates the photovoltaic cell from the rear and encapsulates the capsule material from the front. The backsheet is typically a polymeric film, which in many embodiments is a multilayer film. Examples of backsheet films include 3M Scotchshield film commercially available from 3M Company (Saint Paul, Minnesota). The backseat can be connected to building materials such as roof membranes (eg, of the Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV)). For the purposes of this application, in such embodiments, electrical equipment includes such roof membranes, or other parts of the roof.

Protective layer An example of a protective layer is a weather resistant tape. Examples of weather resistant tapes include polyvinyl fluoride tapes, such as those commercially available from 3M Company (St. Paul, MN) under the trade name SCOTCH BRAND No.838 TEDLAR PLASTIC FILM TAPE.

These protective layers are of particular importance around the edges of the assembly, or within 5 mm of the edges. In some embodiments, the protective layer may be placed on the outer edge of the assembly or may form a frame around the surface of the assembly. This is because when stress is concentrated on the edge, layer peeling generally tends to start from here. Once delamination begins, the edges may advance toward the opposite side of the multilayer article, eventually resulting in delamination across the interface between the layers. Prevention of delamination at the edges allows layers of multi-layered articles to remain adhered.

In some embodiments, the protective layer limits light to the assembly. In such embodiments, light is limited to a portion of the surface area of the assembly, eg, less than 5%, eg, less than 1%, and in certain embodiments less than 0.5%. Light can be blocked by a continuous or discontinuous pattern (eg, points). It may be advantageous to shield light at the outer edges around the assembly, and in some embodiments the protective layer is opaque. For the purposes of this application, the layer reduces the transmission of visible light (380-750 nm), especially if it reduces the transmission of 380-450 nm, thus preventing visible light from reaching the barrier laminate. Is opaque. Generally, the layers are opaque when the layer addition forms a transmittance of up to 20% at any wavelength of 380-450 nm in a multilayer film. In some embodiments, the opaque layer forms a maximum transmittance of 2% at any wavelength between 380 and 450 nm. In certain embodiments, the opaque layer forms a maximum transmittance of 0.2% at any wavelength between 380 and 450 nm.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment according to the present application. Assembly 810 shows electrical equipment 812 and protective layer 821. The weather resistant sheet 820 can be seen from the elevation. The protective layer 821 is shown as surrounding the outer edge of assembly 810.

Multilayer film Multilayer films generally include barrier laminates and weather resistant sheets, and in some embodiments substrates. Multilayer films are generally transparent to visible and infrared light. As used herein, the term "transparency to visible and infrared" means that the average transmittance in the visible and infrared portion of the spectrum when measured along the vertical axis is at least 75% (1). In the embodiment of the part, it can mean at least about 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, 97 or 98%). In some embodiments, the visible and infrared transmissive assembly has an average transmittance in the range of 400 nm to 1400 nm of at least about 75% (in some embodiments at least about 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, 97). Or 98%). Visible and infrared transmissive assemblies are those that do not interfere with the absorption of visible and infrared light by, for example, photovoltaic cells. In some embodiments, the visible and infrared transmissive assembly has an average transmittance of at least about 75% in the wavelength range of light useful for photovoltaic cells (at least about 80, 85, 90 in some embodiments). 92, 95, 97 or 98%).

In many embodiments, the multilayer film is flexible. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to being able to be molded into rolls. In some embodiments, the term "flexibility" is up to 7.6 cm (cm) (3 in) and in some embodiments up to 6.4 cm (2.5 in), 5 cm (2 in), 3.8 cm (1.5 in). Or, it means that it can be bent around a roll core having a radius of curvature of 2.5 cm (1 in). In some embodiments, the flexible assembly is flexible around a radius of curvature of at least 0.635 cm (1 / 4in), 1.3 cm (1 / 2in) or 1.9cm (3 / 4in).

Base material The assembly according to the present disclosure includes a substrate. Generally, the base material is a polymer film. In the context of this application, the term "polymer" is understood to include organic homopolymers and copolymers, as well as polymers or copolymers that may be formed in miscible blends by reactions involving, for example, coextrusion or transesterification. To. The terms "polymer" and "copolymer" include both random and block copolymers.

For example, the substrate may be selected so that its CTEs are approximately the same (eg, within about 10 ppm / K) or smaller than the CTEs of electrical appliances (eg, flexible photovoltaic devices). .. In other words, the substrate may be selected to minimize the CTE mismatch between the substrate and the electrical appliance. In some embodiments, the substrate has a CTE of within 20, 15, 10, or 5 ppm / K of the device to be encapsulated. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to select a substrate with low CTE. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate has a CTE of up to 50 (in some embodiments up to 45, 40, 35, or 30) ppm / K. In some embodiments, the CTE of the substrate is in the range of 0.1-50, 0.1-45, 0.1-40, 0.1-35, or 0.1-30 ppm / K. When choosing a substrate, the difference between the CTE of the substrate and the weather resistant sheet (described below) is at least 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or 110 ppm in some embodiments. Can be / K. The difference in CTE between the first substrate and the weather resistant sheet can be up to 150, 140, or 130 ppm / K in some embodiments. For example, the range of CTE mismatch between the substrate and the weather resistant sheet can be, for example, 40-150 ppm / K, 50-140 ppm / K, or 80-130 ppm / K. CTE can be determined by thermomechanical analysis. And many substrate CTEs can be found in product data sheets or handbooks.

In some embodiments, the substrate is up to 5x10.⁹It has Pa elastic modulus (tensile elastic modulus). The tensile modulus can be measured, for example, by a tensile tester such as a test system available from Instron (Norwood, MA) under the trade name "INSTRON 5900". In some embodiments, the tensile modulus of the substrate is up to 4.5 x 10⁹Pa, 4x10⁹Pa, 3.5 × 10⁹Pa, or 3x10⁹Pa.

In some embodiments, the substrate is heat-stabilized to minimize shrinkage to at least the heat-stabilized temperature when the support is not constrained (eg, heat-setting, annealing under tension, or the like). Using the method of). Typical materials suitable for the base material include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyarylate (PAR), and polyetherimide. Examples thereof include (PEI), polyarylsulfone (PAS), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamideimide (PAI), and polyimide, all of which may be thermally stabilized if desired. These materials have been reported to have CTEs in the range &lt;1 to about 42 ppm / K. Suitable substrates are commercially available from various sources. Polyimide is available, for example, from EIDupont de Nemours &amp; Co. (Wilmington, DE) under the trade name "KAPTON" (eg "KAPTON E" or "KAPTON H") and Kanegafugi under the trade name "APICAL AV". It is available from UBE Industries, Ltd. under the trade name "UPILEX" from the Chemical Industry Company. Polyether sulfones are available, for example, from Sumitomo. Polyetherimide is available, for example, from the General Electric Company under the trade name "ULTEM". Polyesters such as PET are available, for example, from DuPont Teijin Film (Hopewell, VA).

In some embodiments, the substrate has a thickness of about 0.05 mm to about 1 mm, and in some embodiments about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 0.25 mm. Thicknesses outside these ranges can also be useful, depending on the application. In some embodiments, the substrate has a thickness of at least 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, or 0.13 mm.

Barrier laminate The multilayer film includes a barrier laminate. The barrier laminate can be selected from a variety of configurations. The term "barrier film" refers to a film that provides a barrier to at least one of oxygen or water. The barrier laminate is selected to have oxygen and water permeability at specific levels required by the application. In some embodiments, the barrier laminate is approximately 0.005 g / m at 38 ° C and 100% relative humidity.²Less than / day, in some embodiments about 0.0005 g / m at 38 ° C and 100% relative humidity²Less than / day, 0.00005g / m at 38 ° C and 100% relative humidity in some embodiments²Has a water vapor permeability (WVTR) of less than / day. In some embodiments, the flexible barrier laminate is approximately 0.05, 0.005, 0.0005 or 0.00005 g / m at 50 ° C and 100% relative humidity.²Less than / day, or even at 85 ° C and 100% relative humidity, about 0.005, 0.0005, 0.00005g / m²Have a WVTR of less than / day. In some embodiments, the barrier laminate is approximately 0.005 g / m at 23 ° C and 90% relative humidity.²Less than / day, in some embodiments about 0.0005 g / m at 23 ° C and 90% relative humidity²Less than / day, 0.00005g / m at 23 ° C and 90% relative humidity in some embodiments²Has an oxygen permeability of less than / day.

Typical useful barrier laminates include inorganic films made by atomic layer deposition, thermal evaporation, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition. Useful barrier laminates are typically flexible and transparent.

In some embodiments, the useful barrier film comprises an inorganic / organic multilayer. Flexible ultra-barrier films containing inorganic / organic multilayers are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 7,018,713 (Padiyath et al.). Such a flexible ultrabarrier film may have a first polymer layer disposed on a polymer film that can be overcoated with two or more inorganic barrier layers separated by an additional second polymer layer. Good. In some embodiments, the barrier film comprises one inorganic oxide inserted onto the first polymer layer. Useful barrier laminates are also available, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,696,719 (Bischoff), 4,722,515 (Ham), 4,842,893 (Yializis et al.), 4,954,371 (Yializis), 5,018,048 (Shaw et al.). ), No. 5,032,461 (Shaw et al.), No. 5,097,800 (Shaw et al.), No. 5,125,138 (Shaw et al.), No. 5,440,446 (Shaw et al.), No. 5,547,908 (Furuzawa et al.), No. 6,045,864. No. (Lyons et al.), No. 6,231,939 (Shaw et al.) And No. 6,214,422 (Yializis); International Publication No. 00/26973 (Delta V Technologies, Inc.); DG Shaw and MG Langlois, "A New Vapor Deposition" Process for Coating Paper and Polymer Webs, 6th International Vacuum Coating Conference (1992); DG Shaw and MG Langlois, A New High Speed Process for Vapor Depositing Acrylate Thin Films:

The barrier laminate and substrate are separated from the environment. For the purposes of this application, barrier laminates and substrates are separated when they do not have an interface with the air surrounding the assembly.

The main surface of the substrate can be treated to improve adhesion to the barrier laminate. Useful surface treatments include discharges in the presence of a suitable reactive or non-reactive atmosphere (eg, plasma, glow discharge, corona discharge, dielectric barrier discharge or atmospheric pressure discharge), chemical pretreatment or pre-frame treatment. Processing can be mentioned. A separate adhesion-promoting layer can also be formed between the main surface of the substrate and the barrier laminate. The adhesion promoting layer may be, for example, a separate polymer layer or a metal-containing layer such as a layer of metal, metal oxide, metal nitride or metal oxynitride. The adhesion promoting layer may have a thickness of several nanometers (nm) (for example, 1 or 2 nm) to about 50 nm or more. In some embodiments, one side of the substrate (ie, one main surface) can be treated to improve adhesion to the barrier laminate, as well as the other side (ie, main surface). Therefore, the adhesiveness to the element to be coated or the encapsulant (for example, EVA) that coats such an element can be improved. Some useful substrates that have been surface treated (eg, by solvent or other pretreatment) are, for example, Du Pont. Commercially available from Teijin. For some of these films, both sides are surface treated (eg, by the same or different pretreatment), and for other films, only one side is surface treated.

Weather resistant sheet Assemblies according to the present disclosure include weather resistant sheets, which can be single-layer or multi-layer. Weatherproof sheets are generally flexible and transparent to visible and infrared light, and include organic film-forming polymers. Useful materials capable of forming weather resistant sheets include polyesters, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyimides, polyolefins, fluoropolymers and combinations thereof.

For example, in embodiments where the electrical device is a solar device, it is desirable that the weather resistant sheet typically resists degradation reactions due to ultraviolet (UV) light and is weather resistant. Photooxidation degradation caused by UV (eg, in the range of 280-400 nm) can result in discoloration of the polymer film and degradation of optical and mechanical properties. The weather resistant film substrates described herein can provide, for example, a resistant, weather resistant topcoat for photovoltaic devices. The substrate is usually abrasion and impact resistant and can prevent deterioration of the photovoltaic device when exposed to, for example, outdoor elements.

Various stabilizers can be added to the weather resistant sheet to increase UV resistance. Examples of such stabilizers include UV absorbers (UVA) (eg, red shift UV absorbers), hindered amine light absorbers (HALS) or antioxidants. These additives are described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the phrase "resistant to UV degradation" means that the weatherable sheet comprises at least one UV absorber or hindered amine light stabilizer. In some embodiments, the phrase "resistant to UV degradation" means that the weatherable sheet reflects or absorbs at least 50% of the incident UV over a wavelength range of at least 300 nm to 400 nm over a range of at least 30 nm. Means that. In any of these embodiments, the weather resistant sheet comprises UVA or HALS.

The UV durability of the second weathering sheet can be evaluated, for example, using an accelerated weathering test. Accelerated weathering tests are generally performed on film using techniques similar to those described in ASTM G-155, "Standard practice for exposing non-metallic materias in accelerated test devices that use laboratory light sources." The ASTM method described above is considered a valid predictor of outdoor durability, which correctly ranks material performance. The mechanism for detecting changes in physical properties is the use of D65 light sources operated in weathering cycles and reflection modes as described in ASTM G155. Under the above tests, if the UV protective layer is applied to the article, the article will be CIE L before significant cracking, delamination, delamination or haze.^*a^*b * Obtained using space b^*At least 18,700 kJ / m at 340 nm before the value increases below 5, below 4, below 3, or below 2.²Must withstand the exposure of.

In some embodiments, the weather resistant sheets disclosed herein include fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are typically resistant to UV degradation in the absence of stabilizers such as UVA, HALS and antioxidants. Useful fluoropolymers include ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene perfluorovinyl ether copolymer (PFA, MFA), tetra. Included are fluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene vinylidene fluoride copolymers (THV), polyvinylidene fluoride homos and copolymers (PVDFs), blends thereof, and blends of these and other fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are typically homo or copolymers of TFE, CTFE, VDF, HFP, or other fully fluorinated, partially fluorinated, or hydrogenated monomers (eg, vinyl ethers, and alpaolefins, etc.) ), Or other halogen-containing monomers.

The CTE of fluoropolymer films is typically large compared to films made from hydrocarbon polymers. For example, the CTE of a fluoropolymer film can be at least 75, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 or 130 ppm / K. For example, the CTE of ETFE can be in the range 90-140 ppm / K.

Substrates containing fluoropolymers can also include non-fluorinated materials. For example, a combination of polyvinylidene fluoride and polymethylmethacrylate can be used. Useful flexible visible and infrared light transmissive substrates also include multilayer film substrates. The multilayer film substrate can have different fluoropolymers in different layers, or can include at least one layer of fluoropolymer and at least one layer of non-fluorinated polymer. The multilayer film may include several layers (eg, at least 2 or 3 layers) or at least 100 layers (eg, all layers in the range of 100-2000 or more). Different polymers in different multilayer film substrates are selected, for example, as described in US Pat. No. 5,540,978 (Schrenk), for example, a significant portion of UV in the 300-400 nm wavelength range (eg, at least 30, 40). Or 50%) can be reflected. Such blended and multilayer film substrates can be useful to provide UV resistant substrates with lower CTE than the fluoropolymers described above.

Useful weather resistant sheets containing fluoropolymers are, for example, from EIdu Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, DE) under the trade names "TEFZEL ETFE" and "TEDLAR", trade names "DYNEON ETFE", "DYNEON THV", " "DYNEON FEP" and "DYNEON PVDF" from Dyneon LLC (Oakdale, MN), product name "NORTON ETFE" from St. Gobain Performance Plastics (Wayne, NJ), product name "CYTOPS" from Asahi Glass, and product name Films made from resins available from Denka Kagaku Kogyo KK (Tokyo, Japan) at "DENKA DX FILM" are commercially available.

Some useful second weather resistant sheets other than fluoropolymers have been reported to be resistant to UV degradation in the absence of UVA, HALS, and antioxidants. For example, the appropriate resorcinol isophthalate / terephthalate copolyallylate, eg, those described in US Pat. Nos. 3,444,129, 3,460,961, 3,492,261, and 3,503,779 are reported to be weather resistant. ing. Certain weather-resistant multilayer articles, including layers containing building blocks, derived from 1,3-dihydroxybenzene organodicarboxylate, have been reported in International Patent Application Publication No. 2000/061664 with resorcinol allylate polyester chains. Certain polymers containing are reported in US Pat. No. 6,306,507. A block copolyester carbonate containing a structural unit derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, formed in a layer and layered with another polymer containing a carbonate structural unit. Reported in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0253428. Weatherproof sheets containing polycarbonate may, for example, have a relatively large CTE compared to polyester. The CTE of a weather resistant sheet containing polycarbonate may be, for example, about 70 ppm / K.

For any of the above weather resistant sheet embodiments, the main surface of the weather resistant sheet (eg, fluoropolymer) can be treated to improve adhesion to pressure sensitive adhesives. Useful surface treatments include electrical discharges in the presence of suitable reactive or non-reactive atmospheres (eg plasma, glow discharges, corona discharges, dielectric barrier discharges or atmospheric pressure discharges); chemical pretreatments (eg chemical pretreatments). , Alkaline solution and / or liquid ammonia); flame pretreatment; or electron beam beam treatment. A separate adhesion promotion layer can also be formed between the main surface of the weather resistant sheet and the PSA. In some embodiments, the weather resistant sheet may be a fluoropolymer coated with PSA and subsequently irradiated with an electron beam to form a chemical bond between the substrate and the pressure sensitive adhesive (eg,). , U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,400 (see Yamanaka et al.)). Some useful weather resistant sheets that are surface treated are commercially available, for example, from St. Gobain Performance Plastics under the trade name "NORTON ETFE".

In some embodiments, the weather resistant sheet has a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1 mm, and in some embodiments about 0.05 mm to about 0.25 mm, about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm.

While the weatherproof sheets useful in carrying out this disclosure have excellent outdoor stability, the assemblies disclosed herein allow for long-term outdoor applications such as building material integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). A barrier film is needed to reduce permeation.

Pressure sensitive adhesive The pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) may be between the weather resistant sheet and the barrier laminate. PSA has (1) invasive and durable adhesive strength, (2) adhesive strength under finger pressure, (3) sufficient ability to hold the adherend, and (4) clean removal from the adherend. It is well known to those skilled in the art that it has properties that include sufficient binding force. Materials that have been shown to function well as PSAs are polymers designed and formulated to exhibit the required viscoelastic properties and provide the desired balance of adhesion, peel adhesion, and shear retention.

One useful method for identifying pressure sensitive adhesives is the Dahlquist criterion. This standard incorporates pressure sensitive adhesives herein, "Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Technology", Donatas Satas (Ed.), 2^nd 1x10 as described in Edition, p.172, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY, 1989^-6cm²/ Dyne (1 × 10)^-7Pa) Defined as an adhesive with greater 1 second creep compliance. Alternatively, the modulus of elasticity is the reciprocal of creep compliance up to the first-order approximation, so the pressure-sensitive adhesive is about 1x10.⁶Dyne / cm²(1×10⁵It may be defined as an adhesive having a storage modulus of less than Pa).

PSAs useful in practicing the present disclosure typically do not flow and have sufficient barrier properties to provide slow or minimal infiltration of oxygen and moisture along the adhesive fixation line. Also, the PSAs disclosed herein are typically transmissive to visible and infrared light so as not to interfere with the absorption of visible light by the photovoltaic cell. PSA has an average transmission of at least about 75% (in some embodiments, at least about 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, 97 or 98%) over the visible portion of the spectrum when measured along the vertical axis. Have. In some embodiments, the PSA has an average transmittance of at least about 75% (at least about 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, 97 or 98% in some embodiments) over the range of 400 nm to 1400 nm. .. Typical PSAs include acrylates, silicones, polyisobutylene, ureas and combinations thereof. Some useful commercial PSAs include the trade names "ARclear 90453" and "ARclear" from Adhesive Research, Inc. (Glen Rock, PA). UV curable PSAs such as those available at 90537, as well as trade names "OPTICALLY CLEAR LAMINATING ADHESIVE 8171", "OPTICALLY CLEAR LAMINATING ADHESIVE 8172CL" and "OPTICALLY CLEAR LAMINATING ADHESIVE 8172 PCL" from 3M Company (St. Paul, MN). Examples include the optically transparent PSA available at.

In some embodiments, the PSA useful for implementing this disclosure is up to 50,000 psi (3.4 × 10).⁸It has an elastic modulus (tensile elastic modulus) of Pa). The tensile modulus can be measured, for example, by a tensile tester such as a test system available from Instron (Norwood, MA) under the trade name "INSTRON 5900". In some embodiments, the tensile modulus of the PSA is up to 40,000, 30,000, 20,000, or 10,000 psi (2.8 × 10).⁸Pa, 2.1 × 10⁸Pa, 1.4 × 10⁸Pa, or 6.9 x 10⁸Pa).

In some embodiments, the PSA useful for practicing the present disclosure is an acrylic PSA. As used herein, the term "acrylic" or "acrylate" includes compounds having at least one acrylic or methacrylic group. For example, a useful acrylic PSA can be made by integrating at least two different monomers (first and second monomers). Typical suitable first monomers include 2-methylbutyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, n-decyl acrylate, 4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, isoamyl acrylate, sec-butyl. Examples thereof include acrylate and isononyl acrylate. Representative suitable second monomers include (meth) acrylic acid (eg, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid), (meth) acrylamide (eg, acrylamide, methacrylicamide, N-ethyl). Acrylamide, N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide, N-octyl acrylamide, Nt-butyl acrylamide, N, N-dimethyl acrylamide, N, N-diethyl acrylamide, and N-ethyl-N-dihydroxyethyl acrylamide), (meth) acrylates (eg) , 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, or isobornyl acrylate), N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcaprolactam, alpha-olefin, vinyl ether, allyl ether, styrene monomer, or maleate Can be mentioned.

Acrylic PSA may be prepared by including a cross-linking agent in the formulation. Typical cross-linking agents include copolymerized polyfunctional ethylene unsaturated monomers (eg, 1,6-hexanediordiacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and 1,2-ethylene glycol di. Acrylate); Artomerer, an acrylated benzophenone described in US Pat. No. 4,737,559 (Kellen et al.), Which is an ethylenically unsaturated compound capable of abstracting hydrogen in an excited state. P-acryloxy-benzophenone, pN- (methacryloyl-4-oxapentamethylene) -carbamoyloxybenzophenone, N- (benzoyl-p-phenylene) -N'-(methacryloxymethylene) available from Company (Exton, PA) -Methyls described in US Pat. No. 5,073,611 (Rehmer et al.), Containing carbodiimide and p-acryloxy-benzophenone); essentially free of olefin-type unsaturated bonds and carboxylic in the second monomer above. Nonionic cross-linking agents capable of reacting with acid groups (eg, 1,4-bis (ethyleneiminocarbonylamino) benzene; 4,4-bis (ethyleneiminocarbonylamino) diphenylmethane; 1,8-bis (ethylene) Iminocarbonylamino) octane, 1,4-tolylene diisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, N, N'-bis-1,2-propylene isophthalamide, diepoxide, diacid anhydride, bis (amide), and A non-ionic cross-linking agent that is essentially free of bis (imide); and olefin-type unsaturated bonds, is non-copolymerizable with the first and second monomers, and is capable of abstracting hydrogen in the excited state. (For example, 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (4-methoxy) phenyl) -s-triazine; 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (3,4-dimethoxy) phenyl) -s -Triazine; 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) 6- (3,4,5-trimethoxy) phenyl) -s-triazine; 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (2,4-dimethoxy) phenyl )-S-Triazine; 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (3-methoxy) phenyl as described in US Pat. No. 4,330,590 (Vesley))-s-Triadin; US Pat. No. 4,329,384 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6-naphthalenyl-s-triazine and 2, as described in (Vesley)4-Bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (4-methoxy) naphthalenyl-s-triazine) can be mentioned.

Typically, the first monomer is in an amount of 80-100 parts by weight (pbw) by weight of 100 parts of the copolymer and the second monomer is 0 to 100 parts by weight of 100 parts of copolymer. The amount is 20pbw. The cross-linking agent can be used in an amount of 0.005 to 2% by weight, for example about 0.01 to about 0.5% by weight or about 0.05 to 0.15% by weight, based on the weight of the monomer integrated.

Acrylic PSA useful for carrying out the present disclosure can be produced, for example, by solvent-free, bulk, free radical polymerization (eg, using heating, electron beam irradiation, or UV irradiation). Such polymerization is typically facilitated by a polymerization initiator (eg, photoinitiator or thermal initiator). Representative suitable photoinitiators include, for example, benzoin ethers such as benzoin methyl ether and benzoin isopropyl ether, substituted benzoin ethers such as anisoin methyl ether, and substitutions such as 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone. Substituted alpha-ketol such as acetophenone and 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropiophenone can be mentioned. Examples of commercially available photoinitiators are IRGACURE 651 and DAROCUR 1173, available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. (Hawthorne, NY), and LUCERIN, available from BASF (Parsippany, NJ). TPO can be mentioned. Examples of suitable heat initiators are dibenzoyl peroxide, dilauryl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, dicyclohexylperoxydicarbonate, and 2,2-azo-bis (isobutyronitrile), and t-butylperoxide. Peroxides such as benzoate include, but are not limited to. Examples of commercially available heat initiators include VAZO 64, available from ACROS Organics (Pittsburgh, PA), and LUCIDOL 70, available from Elf Atochem North America (Philadelphia, PA). The polymerization initiator is used in an amount effective for promoting the polymerization of the monomer (for example, 0.1 part by weight to about 5.0 parts by weight or 0.2 parts by weight to about 1.0 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total monomer content).

When a photocrosslinker is used, the coated adhesive can be exposed to UV irradiation having a wavelength of about 250 nm to about 400 nm. The radiant energy in this range of wavelengths required for adhesive cross-linking is approximately 100 mJ / cm.²~ Approximately 1,500mJ / cm²Or, in particular, about 200mJ / cm²~ About 800mJ / cm²Is.

A useful solvent-free polymerization method is described in US Pat. No. 4,379,201 (Heilmann et al.). Initially, the first and second monomers are exposed by exposing the mixture in an inert environment for sufficient time to form a base syrup that can be coated with UV irradiation, followed by the addition of crosslinker and photoinitiator residue. The mixture can be polymerized with a portion of the photoinitiator. This final syrup containing the cross-linking agent (eg, measured at 60 rpm with a No. 4 LTV spindle, may have a Brookfield viscosity of about 100 cPs to about 6000 cPs at 23 ° C). It can be coated on a weather resistant sheet. Once the syrup is coated on the weather resistant sheet, further polymerization and cross-linking can be carried out in an inert environment (eg, oxygen-free nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and argon). A sufficiently inert atmosphere can be obtained by coating a layer of the photoactive syrup with a polymer film such as a PET film obtained by UV irradiation or a transparent silicone-treated electron beam and irradiating the film in the air.

In some embodiments, the PSA useful for the practice of the present disclosure comprises polyisobutylene. Polyisobutylene may have a polyisobutylene skeleton in the main chain or side chain. Useful polyisobutylene is prepared, for example, by polymerizing isobutylene alone or in combination with n-butene, isoprene or butadiene in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst (eg, arnimium chloride or boron trifluoride). be able to.

Useful polyisobutylene materials are commercially available from multiple manufacturers. Homopolymers are, for example, quotients. name "Oppanol" and "GLISSOPAL" (e.g., OPPANOL B15, B30, B50, B100, B150, and B200 and GLISSOPAL 1000, 1300, and 2300) with BASF Corp. (Florham Park, NJ) From; Commercially available from United Chemical Products (UCP) (St. Petersburg, Russia) under the trade names "SDG", "JHY", and "EFROLEN". Polyisobutylene copolymers are obtained by polymerizing isobutylene in small amounts (eg, up to 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, or 5% by weight) in the presence of other monomers such as, for example, styrene, isoprene, butene, or butadiene. It can be prepared. A typical suitable isobutylene / isoprene copolymer is Exxon Mobil under the trade name "EXXON BUTYL" (eg, EXXON BUTYL 065, 068, and 268). From Corp. (Irving, TX); from UCP with trade name "BK-1675N"; and from UCP with trade name "LANXESS" (eg LANXESS BUTYL 301, LANXESS BUTYL 101-3, and LANXESS BUTYL 402) Sarnia (Ontario, Canada) ) Is commercially available. Representative suitable isobutylene / styrene block copolymers are commercially available from Kaneka (Osaka, Japan) under the trade name "SIBSTAR". Other typical suitable polyisobutylene resins are, for example, from Exxon Chemical Co. under the trade name "VISTANEX", from Goodrich Corp. (Charlotte, NC) under the trade name "HYCAR", and from Japan under the trade name "JSR BUTYL". It is commercially available from Butyl Co., Ltd. (Kanto, Japan).

Polyisobutylene useful in practicing the present disclosure can have a wide range of molecular weights and a wide range of viscosities. Many polyisobutylenes of different molecular weights and viscosities are commercially available.

In some embodiments of PSA comprising polyisobutylene, the PSA further comprises a hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier (in some embodiments, poly (cyclic olefin)). In some of these embodiments, about 5 to 90% by weight of hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier (in some embodiments, poly (cyclic olefin)) is added based on the total weight of the PSA composition. Combine with 10-95 wt% polyisobutylene. Useful polyisobutylene PSAs include hydrogenated poly (cyclic olefins) and polyisobutylene resin adhesive compositions, as disclosed in WO 2007/087281 (Fujita et al.).

The tackifier component of a "hydrogenated" hydrocarbon may include a partially hydrogenated resin (eg, having an arbitrary hydrogenation ratio), a fully hydrogenated resin, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier is fully hydrogenated, which can reduce the water permeability of the PSA and increase its compatibility with polyisobutylene resins. The hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier is often a hydrogenated alicyclic resin, a hydrogenated aromatic resin, or a combination thereof. For example, some tackifier resins are hydrogenated C9 petroleum resins obtained by copolymerization of C9 distillate produced by thermal decomposition of petroleum naphtha, and copolymerization of C5 distillate produced by thermal decomposition of petroleum naphtha. It is a hydrogenated C5 petroleum resin obtained by, or a hydrogenated C5 / C9 petroleum resin obtained by polymerization of a combination of C5 fraction and C9 distillate produced by thermal decomposition of petroleum naphtha. Examples of the C9 fraction include inden, vinyl-toluene, α-methylstyrene, β-methylstyrene, or a combination thereof. Examples of the C5 fraction include pentane, isoprene, piperine, 1,3-pentadiene, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier is a hydrogenated poly (cyclic olefin) polymer. In some embodiments, the hydrogenated poly (cyclic olefin) is a hydrogenated poly (dicyclopentadiene), which can bring advantages to PSA (eg, low water permeability and transparency). The tackifier resin is typically amorphous and has a weight average molecular weight of 5000 g / mol or less.

Some suitable hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifiers are from Arakawa Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) under the trade name "ARKON" (eg, ARKON P or ARKON M); under the trade name "ESCOREZ". From Exxon Chemical; from Eastman (Kingsport, TN) with the trade name "REGALREZ" (eg, REGALREZ 1085, 1094, 1126, 1139, 3102, and 6108); From Cray Valley (Exton, PA) with resin; from Eastman with trade name "PICCOTAC" (eg PICCOTAC 6095-E, 8090-E, 8095, 8595, 9095, and 9105); trade name "CLEARON", grade P, From Yasuhara Chemical (Hiroshima, Japan) on M and K; Hercules under the trade names "FORAL AX" and "FORAL 105" From Inc. (Wilmington, DE); From Arakawa Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) under the trade names "PENCEL A", "ESTERGUM H", "SUPER ESTER A", and "PINE CRYSTAL"; Co., Ltd.); Commercially available from Eastman under the trade name "EASTOTAC H"; and from Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., (Tokyo, Japan) under the trade name "IMARV".

If desired, PSAs useful in the practice of the present disclosure (including any of the PSA embodiments described above) include at least one of a UV absorber (UVA), a hindered amine light stabilizer, or an antioxidant. Examples of useful UVA include those described above with multilayer film substrates (eg, from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation trade names "TINUVIN 328", "TINUVIN 326", "TINUVIN 783", "TINUVIN 770". , "TINUVIN 479", "TINUVIN 928" and "TINUVIN 1577"). UVA, when used, can be present in an amount of about 0.01 to 3% by weight based on the total weight of the pressure sensitive adhesive composition. Examples of useful antioxidants are those described above along with hindered phenolic and phosphate ester compounds and multilayer film substrates (eg, trade names "IRGANO X 1010", "IRGANO X 1010" from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation. IRGANOX 1076 , and those available in IRGAFOS 126 , as well as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)). The antioxidant, when used, can be present in an amount of about 0.01-2% by weight based on the total weight of the pressure sensitive adhesive composition. Examples of useful stabilizers are phenolic stabilizers, hindered amine stabilizers (eg, those mentioned above with multilayer film substrates, and those available from BASF under the trade name "CHIMASSORB" such as "CHIMASSORB 2020". ), Imidazole-based stabilizers, dithiocarbamate-based stabilizers, phosphorus-based stabilizers and sulfur ester-based stabilizers. Such compounds, when used, can be present in an amount of about 0.01 to 3% by weight based on the total weight of the pressure sensitive adhesive composition.

In some embodiments, the PSA layer disclosed herein is at least 0.005 (in some embodiments at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, or 0.05 mm). In some embodiments, the PSA layer has a thickness of up to about 0.2 mm (in some embodiments, up to 0.15, 0.1, or 0.075 mm). For example, the thickness of the PSA layer can range from 0.005 mm to 0.2 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, or 0.01 to 0.1 mm.

Once the PSA layer has been applied to the weather resistant sheet, the main surface exposed by the release liner may be temporarily protected prior to application to the barrier films disclosed herein. Examples of useful release liners include, for example, silicone-coated kraft paper; polypropylene films; fluoropolymer films such as those available under the trade name "TEFLON" from EIdu Pont de Nemours and Co.; and, for example, Polyester and other polymeric films coated with silicone or fluorocarbon can be mentioned.

Various stabilizers can be added to the PSa layer to increase UV resistance. Examples of such stabilizers include UV absorbers (UVA) (eg, red shift UV absorbers), hindered amine light absorbers (HALS) or antioxidants.

Although not desired to be bound by theory, the PSA layer in the barrier assembly according to the present disclosure serves to protect the barrier assembly from the thermal stresses that can be caused by high CTE weather resistant sheets (eg fluoropolymers). It is thought that there is. Further, even in an embodiment in which the CTE mismatch between the first weather resistant sheet and the second weather resistant sheet is relatively small (for example, less than 40 ppm / K), the PSA layer makes the weather resistant sheet the first polymer. It serves as a convenient means for attaching to barrier films deposited on film substrates (eg, having a CTE of up to 50 ppm / K). If the PSA layer contains at least one of UVA, HALS, or antioxidant, the PSA layer can further provide protection from UV degradation of the barrier film.

Any other feature Optionally, the assembly according to the present disclosure may contain a desiccant. In some embodiments, the assembly according to the present disclosure is essentially free of desiccant. "Essentially free of desiccant" means that the desiccant may be present, but in an amount that may be insufficient to effectively dry the photovoltaic module. Assemblies that are essentially free of desiccant include those in which no desiccant is incorporated into the assembly.

Various functional layers or coatings can optionally be added to the assembly to alter or improve physical or chemical properties. Typical useful layers or coatings include visible and infrared transmissive conductive layers or electrodes (eg, indium tin oxide); antistatic coatings or films; flame retardants; abrasion resistant or hard coat materials; optical coatings; Fogging material; Antireflection coating; Antifouling coating; Polarized coating; Antifouling material; Prism film; Additional adhesive (eg, pressure sensitive adhesive or hot melt adhesive); Undercoating that promotes adhesion to adjacent layers; Additional UV protective layers; as well as low adhesive backside size materials for use when the barrier assembly is used in adhesive roll form. These elements can be incorporated, for example, into a barrier film or applied to the surface of a polymeric film substrate.

Other optional features that can be incorporated into the assemblies disclosed herein include images and spacer structures. For example, the assemblies disclosed herein are inks, or other printed indicators, such as those used to display product identification, orientation or placement information, advertising or branding information, decoration, or other information. May be processed by. Ink or printed indicators shall be provided using techniques known in the art (eg, screen printing, inkjet printing, thermal transfer printing, letterpress printing, offset printing, flexographic printing, stipple printing and laser printing). Can be done. For example, a spacer structure may be included in the adhesive to maintain the thickness of a particular bond line.

The assemblies according to the present disclosure can be conveniently assembled using a variety of methods. For example, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be a transfer PSA on the release liner or between the two release liners. The transfer adhesive can be used to laminate the weather resistant sheet onto the barrier film deposited on the weather resistant sheet after removing the release liner. In another example, the PSA may be coated on a weather resistant sheet and / or a barrier film deposited on a first polymer film substrate before laminating the first and second weather resistant sheets together. In a further example, the solvent-free adhesive formulation can be coated, for example, between a weather resistant sheet and a barrier film deposited on a first polymer film substrate. Subsequently, the formulation can be cured by heat or irradiation as described above to give the assembly according to the present disclosure.

The following non-limiting examples further exemplify the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure, but the particular materials cited in these examples and their amounts, as well as other conditions and details, unreasonably limit the disclosure. Should not be interpreted as doing.

This application covers electrical appliances and assemblies that include multilayer films. The multilayer film includes a barrier laminate adjacent to the electrical appliance and a weather resistant sheet adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. The assembly further includes a protective layer that comes into contact with electrical equipment and weather resistant sheets.

This application allows any combination of disclosed elements.

<p num="0076"> (Example 1) An example assembly of the present invention comprising the intended electrical equipment, edge encapsulation, multilayer film, weather resistant sheet, and protective layer in contact with the edge encapsulant material is constructed in the following manner. Sheet (17 cm (6.5 in) width x 24 cm (9.5 in) length of "UBF 9L" barrier film laminate available from 3M Company, St. Paul, MN to assume low water vapor transmission (WVTR) backsheet ) Was placed with the weather resistant surface down. A 12 mm (1/2 inch) wide strip with a 1.0 mm thick edge encapsulant material, commercially available from Adco, Lincolnshire, IL under the brand name "HELIOSEAL PVS 101", is used with the weather resistant surface of "UBF 9L". It was placed all over the periphery of the "UBF 9L" on the opposite side. The encapsulation material marketed by Jura-Plast, Reichenschwand, Germany under the trade name "JURASOL TL" (0.4 mm thickness) is cut into a 14 cm (5.5 in) x 22 cm (8.5 in) sheet, opposite to the weather resistant surface. "UBF Placed inside the edge sealing material at the top of the "9L" barrier film laminate. Commercially available from McMaster-Carr Princeton, NJ, 140 μm (5.6 mil (0.14 mm)) aluminum foil coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is cut into 13 cm (5.0 in) x 20 cm (8.0 in) sheets. Placed on top of the "JURASOL TL" encapsulant, with the PTFE coated side up. This material was placed in the assembly to envision a flexible electrical appliance. Another sheet of several same encapsulating materials was cut into 14 cm (5.5 in) x 22 (8.5 in) sheets and placed on top of PTFE coated aluminum foil. Another sheet of "UBF 9L" barrier film laminate was cut to 15 cm (6.0 in) x 23 cm (9.0 in) and placed with the weather resistant surface facing up, around the entire perimeter of the edge sealant. "JURA SOL TL" Encapsulation material + 6.4 mm (0.25 in) was placed to cover. After arranging the "UBF 9L" barrier film laminate top sheet, 3M A 12mm (0.47in) polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) tape commercially available from Company, St. Paul, MN under the trade name "SCOTCH BRAND No.838 TEDLAR PLASTIC FILM TAPE" is placed on the edge sealing periphery. Directly bonded, thereby covering the remaining exposed edge seal and 6.4 mm (0.25 in) of the "UBF 9L" barrier film laminate edge.</p><p num="0077"> The entire assembly was placed in a Spire 350 Vacuum Laminator (commercially available from Spire Corporation Bedford, MA) and cured at 150 ° C for 12 minutes.</p><p num="0078"> The resulting assembly was visually intact and was intended to envision electrical equipment containing an edge sealing material and an opaque protective layer in contact with the weather resistant sheet.</p><p num="0079"> T-peeling tests have since been used and are commercially available from two different edge sealing materials; "HELIOSEAL PVS 101" (12 mm width x 1.0 mm thickness) from Adco, Lincolnshire, IL, and TruSeal, Solon, Ohio. The adhesion of the PVF tape to the "SOLAR GAIN LP02" (12.7 mm width x 1.0 mm thickness) edge tape was measured. "SCOTCH BRAND No.838 TEDLAR PLASTIC FILM TAPE" was cut into 1.9 cm (3 / 4in) x 15 cm (6 in) rectangular sections. These compartments were then glued to both sides of the edge sealing 1.3 cm (1 / 2 in) x 13 cm (5 in) strip with the pressure sensitive adhesive facing towards the edge sealing material. Peel strip configuration at 150 ° C for 12 minutes, 10⁵It was laminated at a pressure of Pa (1 atm). The resulting laminate was then tested in a T-peeling test according to AST D18776-08. Two unbonded ends of PVC tape were placed in a tensile tester according to ASTM D1876-08 "Standard Test Method for Peel Resistance of Adhesives". A grip distance of 12.7 mm and a peeling speed of 254 mm / min (10 in / min) were used. The T-peeling test was performed according to ASTM D1876-08 unless otherwise noted. The average peeling force was measured and averaged for the five samples of the edge sealing binding material, with the following results: "HELIO SEAL PVS 101" was 3.6 N / mm (20 lbs / in). "SOLAR GAIN LP02" was 1.3N / mm (8.3lbs / in).</p><p num="0080"> (Example 2) Examples of barrier assemblies that include edge encapsulants and protective layers that come into contact with weather resistant sheets are available from CRC Industries, Inc. Warminster, PA instead of PVC tape after the assembly has been cured in the laminating machine. , Prepared as described in Example 1, except that black RTV silicone cork was applied. Cork is first applied as a bead covering the weather resistant sheet and edge seal, then wooden to completely cover the remaining edge seal and the weather resistant topsheet of about 6 mm (0.25 in). Further dilation was performed using a tongue depressor. The cork was then cured at room temperature according to the manufacturer's instructions.</p><p num="0081"> The resulting assembly was visually intact and was intended to envision electrical equipment containing an edge sealing material and a curable resin protective layer in contact with the weather resistant sheet.</p><p num="0082"> All patents and publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. A person skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the present disclosure without departing from the scope and purpose of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is unnecessary for the exemplary embodiments described above. It should be understood that it should not be limited.<u style="single">Some of the embodiments of the present invention are described in the following items [1]-[36].</u>[1] It s an assembly, Electrical equipment and It is a multilayer film, and the multilayer film is Barrier laminates adjacent to the electrical device and A multilayer film comprising a weather resistant sheet adjacent to the barrier laminate on the opposite side of the electrical appliance. An assembly comprising the electrical device and a protective layer in contact with the weather resistant sheet. [2] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the barrier laminate comprises a polymer layer and an inorganic barrier layer. [3] The assembly according to item 2, wherein the inorganic barrier layer is an oxide layer. [Four] The assembly of item 1, wherein the multilayer film is transparent and flexible. [Five] The assembly of item 1, wherein the multilayer film comprises a substrate between the electrical device and the barrier laminate. [6] The assembly of item 1, wherein the electrical appliance comprises an encapsulating material layer. [7] The assembly of item 1, wherein the electrical appliance comprises an edge sealing material. [8] The assembly of item 1, wherein the electrical appliance includes a backsheet. [9] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the electrical device includes a roof portion. [Ten] The assembly of item 6, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the encapsulating material. [11] 7. The assembly of item 7, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the edge seal. [12] 8. The assembly of item 8, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the backsheet. [13] 9. The assembly of item 9, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the roof. [14] 5. The assembly of item 5, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the substrate. [15] The assembly of item 1, wherein the protective layer is in contact with the barrier laminate. [16] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the protective layer is a weather resistant tape. [17] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the protective layer is a mechanical joint. [18] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the protective layer is a curable resin. [19] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the protective layer is opaque. [20] The assembly of item 1, wherein the protective layer is coupled to the electrical device. [twenty one] The assembly of item 1, wherein the protective layer is attached to the weather resistant sheet. [twenty two] 7. The assembly of item 7, wherein the edge sealing material comprises butyl rubber. [twenty three] The substrate comprises at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyetheretherketone, polyaryletherketone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polyamideimide, or polyimide. , The assembly described in item 5. [twenty four] The assembly of item 1, wherein the weather resistant sheet comprises a fluoropolymer. [twenty five] 24. The assembly of item 24, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises at least one of an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, a tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer, a tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene vinylidene fluoride copolymer, or a polyvinylidene fluoride. [26] The assembly of item 1, comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between the weather resistant sheet and the barrier laminate. [27] 26. The assembly of item 26, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is an acrylate, silicone, polyisobutylene, urea, or a mixture thereof. [28] 26. The assembly of item 26, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises at least one of a UV stabilizer, a hindered amine light stabilizer, an antioxidant, or a heat stabilizer. [29] The assembly of item 1, wherein the oxide layer of the barrier laminate shares a siloxane bond with the polymer layer of the barrier laminate. [30] The assembly according to item 1, wherein the electrical device is a photovoltaic cell. [31] 30. The assembly according to item 30, wherein the photovoltaic cell is a CIGS battery. [32] The assembly according to item 5, wherein the substrate is thermally stable. [33] The barrier laminate is 0.005cc / m at 50 ° C and 100% relative humidity.²The assembly according to item 1, which has a water vapor permeability of less than / day. [34] The barrier laminate is 0.005cc / m at 23 ° C and 90% relative humidity.²The assembly according to item 1, which has an oxygen permeability of less than / day. [35] The assembly of item 1, wherein the barrier laminate comprises at least two oxide layers. [36] The assembly of item 1, wherein the barrier laminate comprises at least two polymer layers.</p>