"For us, it is only logical to further expand the solar flux product area, as we want to offer our customers products that are precisely tailored to the application, just like in the electronics industry," says Markus Geßner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Emil Otto GmbH. For example, the newly developed EO-S-008 is similar in design to the EO-S-002, but is a special flux because it was developed for low-melting applications. However, the EO-S-008 can also be used for normal PV applications.
Furthermore, additional fluxes with different solids content have been developed, such as the alcohol-based fluxes EO-S-009 and EO-S-010, which have a solids content of 1.8 and 1.5 % respectively. "Due to the reduced solids content, the already very good residue behavior can be noticeably improved once again, with very good soldering results. EO-S-010 also contains a very low and completely new resin complex," continues Geßner. However, hybrid fluxes based on alcohol and water are also new to the portfolio, such as the fluxes EO-S-011 and EO-S-012. Both fluxes have 2 % solids and a very low resin content. "EO-S-011 has an alcohol content of 60 %, EO-S-012 only 15 %, which means it is not a hazardous material. As a result, these fluxes also reduce transportation costs as well as storage and handling costs during production," explains Geßner. The alcohol components are composed in such a way that the fluxes are optimized for drying despite the reduced alcohol content. Due to the reduced alcohol content, the two fluxes are very stable in price and largely decoupled from the constantly rising prices for alcohols. As usual, the soldering results and residue behavior are very good.
However, one new flux stands out, emphasizes Geßner: "We are particularly proud of the EO-S-013. The alcohol-based flux with a solids content of 2.0 % is characterized by a special synthetic resin complex. The acid value is unusually low at 5.0 - 7.0. As a result, the flux leaves virtually no residue, with exceptionally good soldering results."
EO-S-013 is also characterized by its outstanding temperature stability.
All solar fluxes from Emil Otto have been developed for soldering solar modules, tabber and stringer material, as well as for connecting cells. Furthermore, the products are NO-CLEAN fluxes that are formulated to be halogen-free. All fluxes leave no sticky residues. Process tests with well-known machine manufacturers from the stringer technology sector prove this. Furthermore, the activators are specially designed for the high temperatures required in the manufacture of solar modules without impairing the efficiency of the activators.