3M Tapes for Solar Panel Fabrication

Reliable

Tapes
for the

Solar Industry

3M Tapes for Solar Panel Fabrication

Engineered to
improve product
reliability

More than 80 years ago, 3M invented the worlds first practical pressure-sensitive
tapes. Today, we are a leading manufacturer of adhesive tapes for industry,
consumer and office use offering a broad range of high-performance and
specialty tapes for bonding, protecting, masking, appearance, cushioning,
mounting, enhancement and more.

...and reduce your costs

These technologies are proving their utility in the manufacture of solar panels and
other components, where they are increasingly being used to help control costs,
speed assembly and potentially improve product reliability.
This brochure includes a number of other examples of how 3M tape technologies
can benefit you. If you have an application that is not addressed in these pages,
we invite you to challenge us with your specific requirements. Learn how 3M
offers you the most productive and profitable solutions under the sun.

Solar panel photo courtesy of Hennepin County Public Affairs

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tapes

Reliable and immediate bonding
The technology behind 3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tapes has been used around the world since
1980 to replace liquid adhesives and mechanical fasteners in permanent bonding and sealing
applications. These applications range from assembly of electronic hand-held devices and
commercial signage to architectural cladding and glazing on skyscrapers.
Acrylic adhesive chemistry offers long-term outdoor durability against heat and UV
Closed-cell foam construction seals against dust, dirt, and rain
Viscoelastic response of foam accommodates for differential thermal expansion/contraction
between bonded surfaces
Uniform thickness provides consistent separation between bonded surfaces when
optical path-length is critical, as in Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) applications
Saves time and money pressure sensitive adhesive tape holds immediately
and neatly without the mess, clamping and curing time of liquid adhesives
and sealants

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tapes - 4000 Series

Product
4063
4080
4110
4155

Thickness Density
UL* Color
Key Features/Applications
3
mil mm (lb/ft )
25 0.63
37
Conformable acrylic foam tapes that adhere to
32
0.8
37
746C
broad range of substrates glass, metal, and
Black aseveral
plastics. Typically used for junction box
45
1.1
37
746C
attachment, frame bonding and CPV applications
62 1.55
37
746C

*UL 746C category QOQW2 file number MH17478

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tapes - 3000 Series

Product
3230

Thickness Density
UL* Color
3
mil mm (lb/ft )
90

2.3

43

Key Features/Applications

Thick acrylic foam tape for bonding rails

746C Grey to
photovoltaic panels

*UL 746C category QOQW2 file number MH17478

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tapes - 2000 Series

Product
2063
2110
2155
2080

Thickness Density
UL* Color
Key Features/Applications
3
mil mm (lb/ft )
25 0.63
52
High temperature, firm acrylic foam tapes ideal for
45
1.1
52
Dark metal and glass substrates. Typically used for frame
Grey and CPV applications
62 1.55
52
31 0.80
44
746C

*UL 746C category QOQW2 file number MH17478

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tape

attaches panels to the frame

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tape bonds and

seals junction boxes to panel backs
3

3M Solar Acrylic Foam Tape bonds

plastic to metal in CPV applications

3M Tapes for Solar Panel Fabrication

3M Charge-Collection and Bus Tapes

Low resistance solutions for thin film photovoltaic applications
Typical automation options offer faster installation than soldering
Suitable for standard thin film laminating temperatures
Consist of low outgassing pressure sensitive adhesives on metal foil backing
Embossed
Backing
Adhesive

Contact
Point

Charge-Collection and Bus

Thickness
mil mm

Product

Adhesive

UL*

High
Temperature

6013

0.13

Non-Conducting

6013V

0.11

Non-Conducting General Purpose

Substrate

Highlights

510 Embossed foil

tape for direct
substrate contact
Non-corrosive
acrylic adhesive
1-ounce tin-plated
deadsoft copper foil
510
Excellent for
charge-collection
over installed
footprint

*UL 510 Flame Retardancy 1446 for UL1703 Category OANZ2 file number E17385

Conductive
Particle
Backing

Thickness
mil mm

Product

Adhesive

UL*

1007

2.6

0.07

Conducting

High
Temp

1007V

2.6

0.07

Conducting

General Purpose

Adhesive

Substrate

Highlights

Electrically
conductive, particle
filled non-corrosive
510
acrylic adhesive
(silver coated glass
bubbles)
1-ounce tin-plated
deadsoft copper foil
510 Excellent for chargecollection over
installed footprint

*UL 510 Flame Retardancy 1446 for UL1703 Category OANZ2 file number E17385

Backing

Thickness
mil mm

Product

1007N

2.6

Adhesive

0.07 Non-Conducting

UL*

High
Temp

Adhesive
*UL 510 Flame Retardancy 1446 for UL1703 Category OANZ2 file number E17385

Substrate

Highlights

Non-conductive
adhesive
Non-corrosive
acrylic adhesive
510
1-ounce tin-plated
deadsoft copper foil
Excellent for bus
applications

3M Dielectric Tapes
Excellent high temperature tapes for crystalline silicon (c-Si) and thin film applications
Reliable electrical insulation
Automation potential allows for rapid application high productivity

Metal Bus Foil

Low outgassing adhesive

Pressure
Sensitive
Adhesive

Available in custom widths

Product Carrier
Type

Carrier
Thickness
mil

Total
Dielectric
Typical
Thickness UL* Breakdown Outgassing**
(micrograms/in) Applications
Strength
mm mil mm

PET Dielectric

Double Coated Dielectric Carrier with Non-conductive High-temp Acrylic Adhesive

3514

PET

1.0

0.025

5.6

3504

PET

0.5

0.013

1.5

1508

PET

1.0

0.025

0.14 510

6.7kV

57

0.04 510

4.9kV

14

0.076 -

6.3kV

10

Insulating
bus from
substrate
in thin film
applications

Pressure
Sensitive
Adhesive

* UL 510 Insulating Category OANZ2 file number E230409

** Outgassing 160C 30 minutes static headspace

Substrate

Laminating
Adhesive
Metal Bus Foil

Backing
Total
Dielectric
Typical
Thickness Thickness UL Breakdown Outgassing**
Product Backing
Type
Strength (micrograms/in) Applications
mil mm mil mm
Single Coated Dielectric Backing with Non-conductive High-temp Acrylic Adhesive
8006C

PET

0.9

0.02

1.9 0.05

5.9kV

1506

PET

1.0

0.025 2.5 0.063

5.5kV

10

51018

PET

1.0

0.025

5.6kV

10

0.051

Insulating bus
from
substrate
in thin film
applications

** Outgassing 160C 30 minutes static headspace

Product Liner Type

Adhesive
Thickness
mil

Dielectric
UL Breakdown
Strength
mm

Outgassing**
(micrograms/in)

Typical
Applications

Laminating Adhesive
501W

NA

0.025

1.2kV

Adhesive for
bus/ribbon
metal foils

11

** Outgassing 160C 30 minutes static headspace

PET Dielectric

Pressure
Sensitive
Adhesive

Substrate

3M Tapes for Solar Panel Fabrication

3M Specialty Tapes
For PV laminates
Compatible with typical lamination processes
Durable materials for long term applications
- Cosmetic masking - Acrylic adhesive
- Cell positioning

Product

- Polyester backing

Total
Thickness
mil

PET

Substrate

Pressure
Sensitive
Adhesive

mm

Backing Adhesive
Type
Type

Color

Key Features/Applications

8006C
8006R
8006B
8006W

1.9

0.048 Polyester

Acrylic

Clear Low outgassing

Red Can be used to hide visual
components such as electrical traces
Black
White Can also be used as a dielectric tape

8306

2.2

0.056 Polyester

Acrylic

Clear

Solvent resistant
Low outgassing

1306

2.5

0.064 Polyester

Acrylic

Black

Excellent flagging resistance

Printable

For Electrical Wire Bundling Applications

Excellent electrical properties
Conformable

Product

Total
Thickness
mil

4414

5.5

mm

Backing Adhesive
Type
Type

0.139 Polyester

Rubber

Color

Key Features/Applications

Puncture resistant
Excellent electrical properties
UL recognized
Caramel
Translucent Class B (130C)
Conformable/Dielectric
Breakdown = 5.6kV
Excellent high-temp shear properties

3M Performance Label Materials

Durable solutions for variable data

White Polyester Gloss TC (2.0)

310 (0.8)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

7868

Flexo, TT

White Polyester Gloss TC (2.0)

350 (1.1)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

White Polyester MC (2.0)

P1280 (1.2)
50# SC (3.2)

FM0557021, 2 Flexo, TT

Durability

Temp.

Flexo, TT

Facestock (mils)
Adhesive Type (mils)
Liner (mils)

UV

Glass

78161

Print
Materials Method

Backsheet

Aluminium

3M supplies a complete range of materials that will ensure the correct identification and labeling
of solar modules.

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

7871

Flexo, TT

White Polyester Gloss TC (2.0)

350 (1.8)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

7875

Flexo, TT

Platinum Polyester Gloss TC (2.0)

310 (0.8)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

7872

Flexo, TT

Platinum Polyester Gloss TC (2.0)

350 (1.8)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

Good

Good

7847

Laser Etch

Matte Black/White Acrylate (2.4)

350 (1.2)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

Excellent

Excellent

7848

Laser Etch

Matte Silver/Black Acrylate (2.4)

350 (1.2)
55# Densified Kraft (3.2)

Excellent

Excellent

7733FL

Polyester
Clear

7735FL

Acrylate
Clear

Chem.

Clear Polyester NTC (1.0)

400 (0.8)
Polyester Film (1.5)

Temp.

Polyester
Clear

Moisture
Resistance

7730FL

Abrasion

Facestock
Clarity

Facestock (mils)
Adhesive Type (mils)
Liner (mils)

UV

Overlaminates

Durability

Good

Good

Excellent

Good

Excellent

UV Resistant Polyester NTC (1.0)

Resists UV exposure
Excellent
400 (0.8)
to protect images
Polyester Film (1.5)

Good

Excellent

Good

Excellent

Clear UV Resistant Acrylar (3.0) Provides extended

outdoor durability
400 (0.8)
to protect images
Polyester Film (1.5)

Good

Excellent

Fair

Excellent

Description

Suitable for indoor

and outdoor use

Superior

1 Passes UL969 water immersion test on solar panel glass surfaces,

as well as other standard surfaces. Reference UL file number MH16411.

2 Offers most durable bond available for solar panel backside barrier surfaces.

TC= Top Coat

MC= Micro Cavitated
TT= Thermal Transfer
NTC= Non-Top Coated

Note: For specifics on 3M product listing regarding

UL standards, go to www.ul.com. This technical
information and data should be considered
representative or typical only and should not be
used for specification purposes.

3M Tapes for Solar Panel Fabrication

Other Products from 3M

3M Scotchshield Film 17T
UL Recognized Component

3M Scotchshield Film 17T

(backside film)

3M Scotchshield Film 17T is a backside barrier film for photovoltaic solar modules. The
outer surface is treated to facilitate the use of a broad range of adhesives, tapes and
labels. Similar to other commercially available backside films, it utilizes a fluoropolymer
layer as a key component. Fluoropolymers are well known to have excellent resistance to
degradation from sources such as UV, heat and moisture. Their weatherability exceeds that
of non-fluorinated materials. 3M Scotchshield Film 17T is designed for easy use by module
manufacturers. It can be used as received with most existing production equipment and cycles,
with no pre-treating required. During lamination, strong, stable, bonds are formed to standard
peroxide curable EVA encapsulants. Features include:
Conformable and flexible, for
ease of lamination
Robust processing window
for wrinkle-free lamination
Excellent retention of
interlayer adhesion after
environmental aging

Excellent UV stability
Very low moisture vapor
transmission rate
Solvent-free process, no
residual solvents

No special packaging or

storage required
1100 VDC rating (IEC
60664-1)

Resilient, low flammability

fluoropolymer

3M Weathering Resource Center

Established over 60 years ago as a testing laboratory for reflective traffic control materials,
3Ms state-of-the-art weathering facility is used to test various environmental factors, such as
long-term exposure to heat and UV radiation, that could affect the performance of various tape
substrates and bonding systems, including films for solar panels. Using both accelerated lab
studies and data collected at multiple outdoor sites located in strategic climatic areas worldwide,
we can continually improve our ability to produce durable, reliable tapes and other materials that
will stand up to the elements.

For more information on our solar manufacturing product line, contact 3M Renewable Energy at 800-755-2654 or visit us at www.3M.com/solar.
Technical Information: The technical information, recommendations and other statements contained in this document are based upon tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but
the accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed.
Product Use: Many factors beyond 3Ms control and uniquely within users knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. Given the
variety of factors that can affect the use and performance of a 3M product, user is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose
and suitable for users method of application.
Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Unless an additional warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product packaging or product literature, 3M warrants that each 3M
product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION ARISING OUT
OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF TRADE. If the 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3Ms option, replacement of the
3M product or refund of the purchase price.
Limitation of Liability: Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

3
Renewable Energy Division
3M Center, Building 235-1S-67
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-755-2654
www.3M.com/solar

Please recycle. Printed in USA.

Issued: 8/09 3M 2009.
All rights reserved. 6659HB
98-0150-0057-7

3M and Scotchshield are

trademarks of 3M Company.
Used under license by
3M subsidiaries and affiliates.