Oct 11 2010
Rowland Technologies Inc. and Arkema Inc. have announced that Rowlar™ -- a new line of high-performance PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) films specifically designed for photovoltaic front-sheet applications -- is now commercially available.
Rowlar™ was developed by applying Rowland Technologies' advanced film design and manufacturing capabilities to bring the outstanding performance characteristics of Kynar ® PVDF to the photovoltaic front-sheet market. Used in architectural coatings for decades, Kynar® has demonstrated excellent weather resistance in punishing South Florida test conditions for over 40 years.
Rowlar™ is the result of the proven performance of Kynar® PVDF combined with precision film engineering. Rowlar™ provides:
- Outstanding solar transmittance
- Outstanding UV resistance
- Superior abrasion resistance
- Excellent fire and chemical resistance
- Superior oxygen barrier
- Good moisture barrier
- Excellent adhesion to encapsulants
Thin, flexible and lightweight, Rowlar™ offers a broad selection of standard gloss and low-glare surfaces. Rowlar™ is extremely transparent, has a lower refractive index than glass and allows modules to run cooler. Compared to ETFE film, Rowlar™ is more transparent, 50% more abrasion-resistant, and more cost effective.
Rowlar™ film is sold by Rowland under an agreement with Arkema and is available in a range of thicknesses, widths, and surface textures to meet virtually any design configuration and production requirement.
Source: http://www.rowtec.com/